Russell Wilson takes bulk of first-team reps on Day 3
Jul 30, 2012, 6:05 PM | Updated: 6:06 pm
By Liz Mathews
Seahawks rookie Russell Wilson isn’t intimidated by the three-way quarterback competition. In fact, he doesn’t recall ever being intimidated at all.
“I don’t remember that,” Wilson said Monday when asked if he’s ever felt overwhelmed by a situation in athletics. “If that happened before … I’ve got amnesia.”
Wilson, 23, has seized every opportunity presented to him — from playing professional baseball to winning the starting the nod at Wisconsin during his only season with the team. Competing to start at the NFL level is likely to be no different.
“I don’t worry about it all,” Wilson said. “I’m blessed to have this opportunity. Whenever my name is called, I’m ready to go.”
Wilson took snaps with the first-team offense Monday, the first day the team was in pads. Still working on perfecting the timing and rhythm that comes with the speed of the NFL game, Wilson has made a number of big plays these last few days that haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s shown impressive footwork, the ability to scramble and the maturity to remain calm under pressure not often seen in rookies.
Wilson said he was not surprised when he was thrown into the quarterback competition this offseason and knew the team was interested in his potential when he was drafted in the third round.
“No matter what the situation was, I was going to come in and compete,” he said. “No matter what. That’s my mentality and the way I’ve been raised my whole entire life to put my best foot forward every single time. That’s why I’m playing in the National Football League.”
Coach Pete Carroll said he has a timetable in his head as to when he is going to announce the Seahawks’ starter. For now, all three quarterbacks — Wilson, incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson and free-agent acquisition Matt Flynn — will continue to split reps.
“It’s going to be interesting to watch,” Carroll said. “I’m not going to tell you the specifics of that. We have it very well in mind here and you guys are going to have to dig to try and figure it out, but you won’t be able to. It’s like a steel trap that’s placed right here.”
Notes
• The following players did not participate in practice on Monday: CB Ron Parker, CB Donny Lisowski, CB Walter Thurmond (PUP), DT Jason Jones, DT Alan Branch, LB Jameson Konz, LB Matt McCoy, TE Anthony McCoy, WR Jermaine Kearse (PUP) and OL James Carpenter (PUP). WR Sidney Rice was back in a red jersey, indicating no contact.
• The Seahawks are expected to practice in full pads on Tuesday before breaking for a players’ off day on Wednesday. Carroll will likely address the media Tuesday post-practice. Running back Marshawn Lynch has yet to speak to reporters regarding his pending DUI charge.
