Wilson continuing to grow as Seahawks QB
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Eight games into his inaugural campaign as starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, Russell Wilson has begun to find a groove.
The Seahawks have put more on Wilson's plate in recent weeks as Seattle has gone to the passing game more frequently. Seattle has averaged over 30 carries a game for the season. But of Seattle's four games with fewer than 30 carries, three have come in the last three weeks.
Part of that has been because of the increased faith in Wilson.
Wilson has responded by putting together two of his best performances in the last three weeks. Wilson rallied the Seahawks from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to stun the New England Patriots. Wilson threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns as the Seahawks won 24-23 at home.
Wilson then had his most efficient game last week against the Detroit Lions, going 25 for 35 for 236 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Wilson again led his team to a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter but Seattle's defense couldn't hold the lead in a 28-24 loss to the Lions.
"He has 10 games under his belt counting preseason so he's been out there quite a bit," head coach Pete Carroll said. "He has benefited tremendously and he's extremely poised about taking on the challenges of it. That gives him a chance to play like he's capable of. So we're just trying to fit it together as well as we possibly can right now."
Wilson has managed to keep the Seahawks in every game they've played this season and has led go-ahead touchdown drives in the fourth quarter in three of Seattle's four victories. All four of Seattle's losses have come by less than a touchdown. Still, Wilson knows there were opportunities he let slip away at the end of the game in the first half of the season.
"I wish I had a couple more wins on my belt," Wilson said. "We've lost a couple games right there at the end but the great thing about it is that, for me as a rookie playing the quarterback position, all those games have come down to the end of the game. I don't think it can get any better in terms of being a rookie for this organization, and for me personally, to be in those situations, and understand those situations that much better, and still play at a high level during those tough situations."
Carroll had said the Seahawks "kept a lid" on Wilson early in the season in order to let Wilson ease into the role. Now the reins are off and Wilson is taking full advantage.
"We're going to continue to grow," Carroll said. "There's nothing holding us back right now. We're really moving and he's done a marvelous job of continuing to progress and not having any fallbacks."
NOTES: WR Doug Baldwin returned to full participation in practice Thursday, two weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain against the San Francisco 49ers. RB Marshawn Lynch (back) and G John Moffitt (knee) also fully participated. ... WR Braylon Edwards (knee), DT Jason Jones (ankle) and DT Greg Scruggs (oblique) did not practice. ... CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring) was limited.
The Seahawks have put more on Wilson's plate in recent weeks as Seattle has gone to the passing game more frequently. Seattle has averaged over 30 carries a game for the season. But of Seattle's four games with fewer than 30 carries, three have come in the last three weeks.
Part of that has been because of the increased faith in Wilson.
Wilson has responded by putting together two of his best performances in the last three weeks. Wilson rallied the Seahawks from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to stun the New England Patriots. Wilson threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns as the Seahawks won 24-23 at home.
Wilson then had his most efficient game last week against the Detroit Lions, going 25 for 35 for 236 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Wilson again led his team to a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter but Seattle's defense couldn't hold the lead in a 28-24 loss to the Lions.
"He has 10 games under his belt counting preseason so he's been out there quite a bit," head coach Pete Carroll said. "He has benefited tremendously and he's extremely poised about taking on the challenges of it. That gives him a chance to play like he's capable of. So we're just trying to fit it together as well as we possibly can right now."
Wilson has managed to keep the Seahawks in every game they've played this season and has led go-ahead touchdown drives in the fourth quarter in three of Seattle's four victories. All four of Seattle's losses have come by less than a touchdown. Still, Wilson knows there were opportunities he let slip away at the end of the game in the first half of the season.
"I wish I had a couple more wins on my belt," Wilson said. "We've lost a couple games right there at the end but the great thing about it is that, for me as a rookie playing the quarterback position, all those games have come down to the end of the game. I don't think it can get any better in terms of being a rookie for this organization, and for me personally, to be in those situations, and understand those situations that much better, and still play at a high level during those tough situations."
Carroll had said the Seahawks "kept a lid" on Wilson early in the season in order to let Wilson ease into the role. Now the reins are off and Wilson is taking full advantage.
"We're going to continue to grow," Carroll said. "There's nothing holding us back right now. We're really moving and he's done a marvelous job of continuing to progress and not having any fallbacks."
NOTES: WR Doug Baldwin returned to full participation in practice Thursday, two weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain against the San Francisco 49ers. RB Marshawn Lynch (back) and G John Moffitt (knee) also fully participated. ... WR Braylon Edwards (knee), DT Jason Jones (ankle) and DT Greg Scruggs (oblique) did not practice. ... CB Byron Maxwell (hamstring) was limited.
Wizard, If the Hawks beat the Vikings, they are front runners for a wild card spot. They have the win over G.B., and they can still catch S.F. for the division. Check out the standings and schedule. AZ. has a very tuff 2nd half of the season. 5 of the last 8 games are at home for the Hawks. I think Seattle will finish around 8-8 again, and if they do Pete is out, and Tom Cable will be the new coach.
 @Seahawk64 There is 0 chance we are going to take the division from San Fran...we can't beat anyone in our division...San Fran will win the division running away...they essentially already have...and the Hawks can't win on the road so even if they make the playoffs, they will be one and done....
Yeah for the rookie. If we loose three more in a row though, his stock slides into the red. We may as well then put Flynn in for the last five games. Even if we get to seven losses, time to see what our high-paid Flynn can do. What are we expecting to make the playoffs? Rookies on average don't make the playoffs, especially at 5'10". Big Ben R in Pittsburgh I believe was the last to make the playoffs. Maybe manning did in NY but I'm not sure. Go Hawks anyhow.
 @wizard Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco also made the playoffs as rookies.  Sanchez led his team to the AFC Championship.  The common theme with those teams (and Ben in Pittsburgh) is a strong defense that puts the offense in position to succeed.  That's what you are seeing happen with the Seahawks - sans last week were the D gave up the win in the fourth quarter.
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Winning the division is unlikely, but Seattle is in strong position to make a run for a Wild Card spot. Â They already hold tie-breakers over several NFC teams, and winning this week would be another key one. Â If Wilson and the offense continue their steady improvement, combine that with 5 home games in the 2nd half of the season and you have the recipe for a playoff run.
Continuing to grow is an understatement. Â Any undersized rookie starting QB in today's NFL that can out-duel the likes of Aaron Rogers and Tom Brady (not statistically perhaps, but in engineering drives when it counts) is not only growing, but growing up right.
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For all the doubters, haters, and other apologists who call themselves sports fans, please hold your negativity until week 17 concludes. Â If the Seahawks make the playoffs, rest assured that our beloved Russell Wilson is not only a great contributor, but likely our team's MVP. Â
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It takes a special mindset to compete at this level, and for a young man expected to win right away as a rookie, and to deflect pressure and respond professionally, is a rare thing indeed.
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We should feel fortunate that Russell is a Seahawk.
 @goalieump he hasn't out dueled anyone....his defense has helped win him some games. The hawks win in spite of wilson, not because of him..
@goalieump Completely agree. In the Detroit game I saw a Lion defensive player get in Russell's ear, and he didn't even twitch didn't look back, didn't say anything back. Very professional of Mr. Wilson. Stick with this guy Seattle. Now if we keep averaging .500 seasons we need to switch coaches and not QB's.
@goalieump Another thing to keep in mind is that the team is not made up of just one player. There are plenty of other positions that need talented and skilled players to do their jobs to make the team successful. When enough of those things come together, the team can move forward.
Very casual observation: I don't like the play calling. Plus being on the short side for a QB mostly elliminates many screens and quick slants, which is an important dimension for a rookie passer. Definately a keeper though.
"Continuing to grow"? The last time I checked, Wilson was still 5'10".Â
 @MVDad He must be growing; he's listed at 5'10 1/2. ;^D
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If our receivers had caught a few of those balls that were placed perfectly I think the Hawks would have won the SF game on Thursday and the Detroit game on Sunday. Russell has a lot more to learn but just remember this  people............ He is a rookie. I still have faith in Russell but he's gonna need his receivers to catch those critical passes and he's gonna need his D to quit giving up all of those 3rd down conversion.Â
@theworldsamess I was really upset at the defense during the Detroit game. Supposedly, our defense (especially the secondary) is one of the leagues best but against detroit and their quarter back who only had 6 TD passes in 7 games prior to this game, the vaunted Seahawk defense allowed him 3 TD passes in just that game.