Seahawks Not Wavering on Tarvaris Jackson, Just Thinking of Future

An interesting discussion point has broken out on Tarvaris Jackson here on 12th Man Rising, in response to my article yesterday talking about the positive moves the Seattle Seahawks have made at quarterback this offseason.

Thanks to Jeff in our comments section for being very astute in his thought process and pointing out an important point. I felt the discussion warranted more than just a response in the comments because it’s more of a big-picture thought and I don’t want 12th fans to be confused on what I was saying. So this is what Jeff he had to say.

"I disagree with your assessment that it was a picnic last year for Tarvaris to assume the backup role. He had to beat out Brady Quinn, a former first-round draft choice and was able to do that quite adamantly. I understand the ComPete strategy employed by Carroll, but don’t disregard what it took for Tarvaris to be in the position he currently is (guaranteed $1.25 million contract) and the fact that he is respected by locker room and coaching staff and you have one of the best, if not the best, backup QBs in the league."

Let’s address this. First of all, I never said it was a picnic for TJ last season. I said he’ll need to work EVEN HARDER this season, because the competition is more fierce, and it is. Brady Quinn may have been a former first-rounder or whatever, but he was clearly a product of the system at Notre Dame, a desperation pick and ultimately a bust. I am merely pointing out that while most teams would’ve sat on the position because they are indeed ok there, Pete went out and brought in more, which is unique.

Terrelle Pryor may be the same type of dog as Quinn, so that’s not particularly forward thinking, except that his athleticism and upside compared to Quinn is basically off the charts. Where I never felt Quinn had potential to land a job with Seattle last season, I truly feel Pryor is right in the mix as a third option (more on that in a moment). B.J. Daniels is a kid that has limited upside in my opinion, but he brings depth and fair, though not extreme athleticism to the fight.

Then Carroll brings in Keith Price, a three-year starter under a part of the Carroll coaching tree in Steve Sarkisian from Washington. Also Price is a local product who knows and has been around the system, which is significant.

To me, this is a LONG-TERM move, because Jackson is not a long-term solution and we know Russell isn’t going anywhere. A one-year contract with some guaranteed $ is great for T-Jax, probably means he’ll make the roster this season, but if you don’t think Pete is looking long-term here, you haven’t been paying attention while he and “The Schneid” have put this team together over the past four seasons. Also, you’re not seeing the inherent value that has been added in the last couple weeks.

Like I told another fan who also commented on the piece, I love Jackson! You can look way back to my comments in this article just after he had been signed to know how I feel about his value here. The article I just wrote isn’t pointing out the negatives for him so much as the positives of how the position was grown over the course of the offseason. 

If you truly assess the moves the Seahawks have made at quarterback, you’ll realize that T-Jax is a stop-gap solution to a long-term problem at backup QB. He’s good enough to get the job done and he may well be one of the better backups in the league, but that’s part of why a changing of the guard is in store. It’s exactly why the Seahawks are already planning for next season while also creating competition this season. With that, I can easily see the Hawks carrying three quarterbacks on the roster or putting one on the practice squad to develop.

After all, do you want a guy that is over 30 and has ‘great career backup’ potential on one-year contracts for the next six to seven seasons, or would you rather have a kid whose aiming to become a starter in this league at some point and will sign longer for less to make it happen? I’m sorry, but I think the league has spoken in terms of Jackson, he’s not going to be a franchise guy. That said, if he continues to make a name for himself as a reliable backup, there is always need for that all over the league and the price tag will get higher and higher over the next couple seasons to keep him. 

So Jeff (and 12’s), I’m not saying the Seahawks necessarily need to move on right now unless it ends up being the right choice. I’m simply saying that what they have done this offseason by signing Terrelle Pryor, B.J. Daniels and Keith Price is position themselves to move into the future. Nobody expected that, but perhaps we should have.

*Thanks to all of you who take the time to give us your feedback, without you our opinion’s wouldn’t be worth two nickels. Maybe they’re still not, but it’s fun to debate and talk with you guys! Go Hawks!