Pete Carroll’s big gamble with Russell Wilson
Pete Carroll announced that Russell Wilson will get the start over Matt Flynn in the team’s third preseason game. Carroll acknowledged NFL conventional wisdom of using the third preseason game as a dress rehearsal for the starting quarterback to get him ready for the regular season, but Carroll isn’t ready to name a starter, and he wants to see Wilson play with the first-teamers in order to make a final decision on the quarterback battle.
I do admire his willingness to toss conventional wisdom and do what he thinks is best for his team, but I’m a little shocked he would interrupt Matt Flynn’s preparation for the regular season just because Russell Wilson has looked good playing against third-string defenses.
Flynn has not played poorly, and he threw a beautiful bomb last week that Terrell Owens dropped. Seattle invested a lot of money in Flynn, and he’s certainly earned the opportunity to start for the Seahawks.
Meanwhile, Wilson dropped to the third round for a reason. His size is a huge disadvantage, and he’s also a rookie who has a lot to learn. For a team that’s presumably battling for another playoff appearance, this comes across as Carroll trying to outsmart himself. We’ll see who ultimately gets the start, but Flynn has lost out on a lot of the reps he’ll need to be ready for the opener.
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In Pete’s competition and earn it system the only thing anyone has earned is that Wilson get a shot at starting with the first team. This boring and inaccurate assessment that Flynn is losing out on reps he’ll need is hogwash. These men have played more football than anyone on the planet. They will adjust whoever is in there when the season opens. Wilson appears to be a true phenom but we won’t know until he gets a chance. And by the way, Pete should be get credit for walking his talk. If he had not given Wilson the chance to start he would lose a lot of credibility and respect from his players. Way to go Pete and GO HAWKS!
@Aizata – Thanks for your comment.
So there’s no downside to giving Flynn less time against #1 defenses? Flynn has never been a start in the NFL, so he needs the preparation. I understand you agree with Carroll, but he’s clearly taking a risk here.
Also, Carroll’s handling of the QB position has pretty much been a mess since he came to Seattle. His track record hardly inspires confidence.
Seattle has a shot at the playoffs, and this gamble could easily blow up in his face. Of course Wilson could prove him right, but that doesn’t mean this decision isn’t a risk.