Matt Flynn finally makes his Seahawks debut
Dec 9, 2012, 11:03 PM | Updated: Dec 10, 2012, 2:18 pm
By Brady Henderson
Remember Matt Flynn?
It would be understandable had you forgotten about the Seahawks’ backup quarterback. He hadn’t taken a single snap all season, after all, and Russell Wilson’s emergence long ago put to rest early-season notions of a quarterback controversy.
Matt Flynn completed 5 of 9 passes for 68 yards in his Seahawks debut. (AP) |
Flynn finally made his Seahawks debut during Sunday’s 58-0 rout of the Cardinals at CenturyLink Field, a game so one-sided that Seattle pulled Wilson one series into the third quarter.
“It’s been really hard for Matt to have to sit back and watch this,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He came here to be the starter and it hasn’t worked out, but he’s a fantastic football player and he deserves to play. I’m thrilled that we got to get him some significant playing time today.”
Flynn entered the game at the 10:19 mark of the third quarter, with the Seahawks leading 45-0. He handed the ball to Robert Turbin on three straight plays before attempting his first pass, throwing incomplete to Sidney Rice in the end zone after the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage.
Flynn finished 5 of 9 for 68 yards. Three of those five completions went for at least 15 yards, including a 27-yarder to Doug Baldwin. He delivered an accurate pass in the end zone from 33 yards out on fourth down, but Jermaine Kearse couldn’t haul it in.
Carroll made it clear that he wasn’t trying to run up the score by throwing deep.
“Matt just needed to throw the ball around some,” Carroll said. “We did a little bit of everything — some quick game, a couple of nakeds getting out of the pocket, and a little bit down the field, just to get him a chance to get some confidence. Hopefully, everybody understands that.”
McCoy, Turbin top the century mark
No Seahawk had topped 100 yards receiving in a game this season until backup tight end Anthony McCoy did so Sunday. He finished with a career-high 105 yards on three catches, including one that gained 67 yards.
“It was really exciting to see Anthony get his chance and get in the open field,” Carroll said. “He’s a dynamic football player. He’s played terrific ball for us, blocking well.”
Turbin, Seattle’s backup running back, gained a career-high 108 yards on 20 carries, getting the majority of the work in the second half.
Starter Marshawn Lynch scored three rushing touchdowns and gained 128 yards on just 11 carries. That gives him 1,266 yards this season, topping his personal record of 1,204, which he set last season.
Seattle’s 284 rushing yards is the fourth-best total in team history. Turbin and Lynch became the first Seahawks running backs to top 100 yards in the same game since Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris did it in 2005.
Flags flying
The Seahawks’ 10 penalties for 97 yards was their only notable blemish on a day of dominant performances.
Five of those penalties were personal fouls committed after the conclusion of the play.
“The bad ones were the ones after the whistle, pushing and shoving,” Carroll said. “Other than that, that was really the only thing that we didn’t get done today.”
Arizona committed nine penalties.