Russell Wilson is taking the next step in becoming a team leader for the Seattle Seahawks. The team has made it a point to surround the quarterback with more weapons during the offseason and Wilson is looking to make sure everyone is on the same page. Wilson has scheduled a passing camp with Percy Harvin and other Seahawks' wide receivers to attend prior to training camps opening.
Wilson did everything he could to help the Seahawks to a first-round playoff road win. The team posted the third-best regular season record in franchise history going 11-5. He also broke the single-season record for touchdown passes (26), originally held by Peyton Manning. Not bad for a guy that was drafted to be a backup.
Now, Wilson has lofty expectations to meet in his sophomore season. In an effort to make sure he meets and exceeds them, he is already scheduling team workouts. The new CBA has offseason programs beginning April 15, however Wilson is not waiting that long to begin working with wide receivers. He has scheduled his passing camp to take place in Southern California next month before team workouts begin.
"Just get together and throw, and just get our minds and our bodies ready for a great season," Wilson said.
More teams are taking this approach. Quarterback Christian Ponder had scheduled this sort of session with the Minnesota Vikings, something newly acquired Seahawks receiver Harvin refused to attend while with the team. Wilson wasted no time meeting his new weapon, meeting Harvin in the film room the day he was traded to the Seahawks.
"The team we're going to have next season is very exciting. But it's a new year and it's going to present new challenges. I think the key is guys staying healthy, guys getting ready for the season and really preparing-mentally and physically," Wilson said.
Wilson is aware of the heightened expectations surrounding him and the rest of the team. He is happy there is a new energy in the city and an excitement for the upcoming season. Teammate Sean McGrath believes the passing camp is just another step in the maturation of Wilson and says that leadership is just something he has come to expect from his quarterback.
"This is so typical of Russ. We're grown accustomed to him doing things like this, just because that's the type of person he is. It will be a great team-building opportunity," McGrath said.
