Seattle Seahawks Post Draft Watchlists and Wishlists: Quarterback
By Josh Davis
Time to go over what Seattle did right and things I wish the team had done to date in the offseason.
Quarterback Roster: Russell Wilson, Brady Quinn, Josh Portis, Jerrod Johnson
Watchlist:
January 27, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; NFC quarterback Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks (3) runs past a tackle attempt by AFC defensive tackle Geno Atkins of the Cincinnati Bengals (97) in the third quarter during the 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
I think a lot of 12’s thought that quarterback still needed to be addressed in the draft after the team picked up three very mediocre talents (at least to this point in their careers) in free agency. Pete Carroll and John Schneider had a different philosophy, apparently.
After listening to some of the Seahawks’ live feed during the latter stages of the draft, a good point was brought up. I can’t remember who said it but it was an ex-Seahawk who was alongside spokesperson Tony Ventrella. The ex-Hawk said something along the lines of “some people just know how to take a hit or avoid it. Others go out and fall down into a concussion every time. Russell’s one of those guys that I don’t think you have to worry about getting injured, knock on wood, because he just knows how to avoid that contact.”
He’s absolutely right and I think this is probably in the back of the minds in Seattle’s front office. The hardest hits I can remember Wilson taking were the fumble that was returned for a touchdown by the Jets and the slide against the Fed-Ex Field turf.
Unlike last season, quarterback is the one spot that really won’t have a competition for the starting spot this Summer and Fall. However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that there won’t be a lot of work done. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Russell Wilson, it’s that he will push himself harder than anybody can to be great. Being the leader and professional that he is, he’ll also push and prepare the rest of the Seahawks, including whoever is his backup.
Another thing to consider is that the Seahawks are so deep on the overall roster that there’s no way they can afford to carry three quarterbacks. With the dwindling need for these three guys in particular throughout the entire league, Portis, Quinn, and Johnson are all fighting for a single spot on the roster and a paycheck. The backup position also has the potential to be a multi-year deal as I’m sure Pete and his staff would love to maintain some continuity in case something were to happen. A lot is on the line and it should be a fun battle to keep tabs on throughout.
Wishlist:
I still wish the Hawks would’ve drafted or picked up a quarterback in free agency. Specifically speaking, I think a few of us here at 12th Man Rising had Seneca Wallace and Matt Scott pegged. Scott would have been a prototypical backup to Russell and a boost in talent at the position overall. Who knows if the Seahawks did indeed try to acquire his services, but Gus Bradley and the Jaguars have him for now and I expect him to make a good run at the roster there. Before that, Wallace apparently didn’t make the Carroll-cut because Quinn beat him out for the offer.
I don’t know that there’s another quarterback that got missed in the draft that I would really like as the backup at this point. What Carroll has should be good enough for now and the foreseeable future since the backup will have only spot duty and maybe the occasional start, assuming Wilson doesn’t get seriously injured.
EDIT: I didn’t realize that Jerrod Johnson was only 24 and has only been in the league for 1 season. He’s 6’5″ 251 lbs and holds (for now at least) 24 school records. NFL.com’s profile on him:
"He started 29 of 37 career games at Texas A&M and finished his career holding 24 school records, including total offense (8,888 yards), passing yards (8,011), completions (650) and touchdown passes (67)."
When they signed him, I’m betting that Carroll and Schneider said “that’s our draft pick” and they’ll let him battle for the backup spot. That’s the reason Scott was probably never an option for them. Interesting.
Put it to the 12’s:
Who would you have liked to see in a Seahawks uniform at quarterback, either in the form of free agency or by draft?