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Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has earned his first start in the team's third preseason game and a strong performance could elevate him into a starting role for the 2012 regular-season opener, team sources said Tuesday.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll on Monday informed the quarterbacks, including Matt Flynn, the free agent pickup who had started the team's first two preseason games. Carroll is expected to make the news official Tuesday.
Wilson will take the majority of first-team reps as the Seahawks prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night. Carroll plans to play Wilson with the Seahawks' starters through at least the first half. It is possible Flynn could get some first-team reps to start the second half, depending on the flow of the game.
While Flynn has been steady, Wilson has provided the Seahawks with more dynamic plays between the two quarterbacks, albeit against opposing team's second-string defenders. But a team source also noted that Wilson has played with second-teamers, for the most part, and has produced several big plays despite shoddy pass protection. He also has converted 54 percent of third down possessions, a source noted.
Wilson has completed 22 of 33 passes for 279 yards this preseason, throwing for three touchdowns with one interception. He also has rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown. Flynn, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent this offseason, is 17 of 26 for 102 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
The Seahawks also want to see how Wilson handles the pressure of a starting assignment as opposed to coming off the bench in a relief role, which has been one of the scenarios the team hasn't ruled out as part of their game plan in 2012.
While Carroll understands that conventional wisdom normally would call for Flynn to start, he also has noted to his staff that conventional wisdom didn't call for the Seahawks to trade up in the draft's third round to select the 5-foot-10 Wilson out of Wisconsin.
If Wilson struggles against the Chiefs, the Seahawks haven't ruled out having Flynn start in the final preseason game.
Four teams have already said they will start rookie quarterbacks in Week 1 (Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 2012 could be the first year with more than two rookie quarterbacks starting in Week 1 since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll on Monday informed the quarterbacks, including Matt Flynn, the free agent pickup who had started the team's first two preseason games. Carroll is expected to make the news official Tuesday.
Wilson will take the majority of first-team reps as the Seahawks prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night. Carroll plans to play Wilson with the Seahawks' starters through at least the first half. It is possible Flynn could get some first-team reps to start the second half, depending on the flow of the game.
While Flynn has been steady, Wilson has provided the Seahawks with more dynamic plays between the two quarterbacks, albeit against opposing team's second-string defenders. But a team source also noted that Wilson has played with second-teamers, for the most part, and has produced several big plays despite shoddy pass protection. He also has converted 54 percent of third down possessions, a source noted.
Wilson has completed 22 of 33 passes for 279 yards this preseason, throwing for three touchdowns with one interception. He also has rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown. Flynn, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent this offseason, is 17 of 26 for 102 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
The Seahawks also want to see how Wilson handles the pressure of a starting assignment as opposed to coming off the bench in a relief role, which has been one of the scenarios the team hasn't ruled out as part of their game plan in 2012.
While Carroll understands that conventional wisdom normally would call for Flynn to start, he also has noted to his staff that conventional wisdom didn't call for the Seahawks to trade up in the draft's third round to select the 5-foot-10 Wilson out of Wisconsin.
If Wilson struggles against the Chiefs, the Seahawks haven't ruled out having Flynn start in the final preseason game.
Four teams have already said they will start rookie quarterbacks in Week 1 (Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 2012 could be the first year with more than two rookie quarterbacks starting in Week 1 since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
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