Russell Wilson is entering into the 2013 season in a much different position than 2012. Last year, he came in as a rookie and the presumed backup quarterback for the team. The Seahawks had just acquired Matt Flynn and he was expected to be the starting quarterback and possible future of the team. That plan did not exactly pan out after Wilson emerged as the better quarterback and starter most of the season. Now, he knows he is the leader of the Seahawks and is playing accordingly.
As the Seahawks continue work during organized team activities, Wilson has the mindset of a starting quarterback. He is now taking all of the first-team reps and learning how to better control the offense that is not his. According to head coach Pete Carroll, Wilson is looking like a much different and much better quarterback in 2013.
"He threw a couple of balls today, things that we talked about over the offseason that he'd like to take a shot at, and he did it today just to see what would happen with full awareness of why he was doing it. We were talking about trying to throw the deep ball last year over guys' outside shoulder; we're just a million miles ahead of where we were. He's the kind of player that will affect other guys-he affects everyone around him-and hopefully that will help everyone play better and faster," Carroll said.
Last year, Wilson led the team to the playoffs were they eventually lost to the Atlanta Falcons. He earned a spot in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The idea that he has only improved off that performance could mean the Seahawks are a team to beat in 2013.
Wilson agrees that he has improved from the player he was last season. However, the quarterback does not intend on stopping there. Wilson is making sure he is a player people can count on.
Carroll also took time to get into great detail about how the Seahawks are attempting to eliminate off-the-field drama. The team has recently had one player suspended and another arrested. Bruce Irvin will miss the first four games of the season and testing positive for banned substances, while backup quarterback Josh Portis was arrested on suspicion of a DUI. Irvin is the fifth Seattle player to be suspended for banned substances since 2011. Carroll notes it is an issue and stresses the team is helping through education and discipline.
