With a simple tweet from a press conference, the Seattle Seahawks have a Week 1 starting quarterback.
Seattle Seahawks make it official with rookie QB Russell Wilson
"Russell Wilson (
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 27, 2012@dangerusswilson) will start against the Raiders and will start the first week of the regular season."@petecarroll
Wilson, the team’s third-round pick, has fared well in the preseason. He’s completed 67.3 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and just a single interception. Wilson has also put in positive work with his legs, running for 150 yards.Perhaps more importantly, he’s earned the respect of the locker room.
"I've watched our team respond to him and they've taken to his leadership style."
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 27, 2012@petecarroll on@dangerusswilson
In April, it would have looked like Wilson would have been a long shot, at best, to ascend to the starter’s role. The Seahawks gave Matt Flynn a three-year, $19.5 million contract. Add to that Wilson’s 5-foot-11 height, which is less than optimum.The 75th pick, though, has been impressive through three preseason games. Wilson had arguably the best showing of anyone this preseason against Kansas City. The starter coming into the game, Wilson was 13-19 for 185 yards and two passing touchdowns. He ran for another 58 yards. All told the Seahawks scored in each of the first six times they had the ball. Flynn missed the game due to a sore elbow.
The Seahawks haven't been averse to throwing their rookies right into the starting mix. The team traded linebacker Barrett Ruud to make way for second-round pick Bobby Wagner. Seventh-round pick JR Sweezy has been transitioned from defensive line and is pegged as the team's starting right guard.
For more on Wilson and the Seahawks, head over to FieldGulls.
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