SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Is Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson still in the competition?

Aug 15, 2012, 9:06 AM | Updated: 10:22 am

By Liz Mathews

Seahawks incumbent starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson continues to take reps with the first-team offense, but has yet to make an appearance in a preseason game. Carroll announced Tuesday that Matt Flynn will get the start Saturday in Denver, with rookie Russell Wilson to follow in the second half.

Carroll did say, however, that Jackson remains firmly in the competition.

a8f4b458-9bcb-4b33-a2eb-82308bc5adb4
Pete Carroll says Tarvaris Jackson has been handling the quarterback competition well. (AP)

“Yes, absolutely he is,” Carroll said. “Really this is just the way I’ve chosen to do it, I’m banking on the 18 games we’ve seen him. He knows the offense; he knows what is going on. And I watched him play last year practicing one day a week for five weeks and he can function.

“So I’m using all of that information to allow us the opportunity to see all of the other guys.”

Despite being sidelined throughout much of practice last season with a pectoral injury, Jackson was able to start on Sundays. In 15 games played in 2011 for the Seahawks, Jackson passed for 3,091 yards, completed 217-of-450 passes, with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

“Tarvaris has played a lot of football for us so we have to give somewhere, so we’re giving that,” Carroll said. “We understand the kind of player he is, he’s in great shape, he’s studied hard, he’s ready to go. So we’re just banking that he’ll be able to hold in his level of play without the two weeks of playing time in playing in the games. If he gets in the game, he does, I don’t know how that is going to work yet.

“The emphasis right now is to get Matt and Russell their play time again so we can really get another big body of knowledge of information for them.”

For now, Jackson is available to play against the Broncos if needed, but will see limited time in practice.

Carroll spoke of Jackson’s frustrations on Tuesday.

“He’s holding well,” Carroll said. “I think this is very difficult for him and I admire the heck out of this guy. These guys are battling to show what they know and where they are and we have to assess that they can catch up with him. That’s what’s going on. So he’ll have to hold on for a little bit longer and we’ll know more in a week.”

As for Jackson pursuing opportunities with a different team, said Carroll: “We haven’t talked about that at all.”

You might also like…

John Clayton: Why the Seahawks must release Tarvaris Jackson

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

11 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profile Bralen Trice UW Huskies...

Brent Stecker

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pros, cons of UW DE Bralen Trice

For Day 2 of Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles, the former UW Huskies quarterback when with a name from his alma mater: defensive end Bralen Trice.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

FOX Sports’ Klatt: Seahawks’ quarterbacks ‘are not the answer’

"They don't have the requisite quarterback play to do that," FOX's Joel Klatt said of the Seattle Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender.

3 days ago

Is Seahawks QB Tarvaris Jackson still in the competition?