Seahawks still need to name starting quarterback for ‘12
NFL Betting – Seahawks Still Need To Name Starting Quarterback For ‘12
Training camp competition is almost always viewed as a positive factor when it comes to a team getting ready for a new sports betting season. However, when the competition is at quarterback, and through three weeks of the preseason a starter hasn’t been named, and none of the three options has looked very convincing, suddenly the competition aspect isn’t so positive. The Seattle Seahawks entered training camp with a three-way battle for the starting job, and while Tarvaris Jackson appears to be the first out of the race, head coach Pete Carroll still hasn’t made a decision between Matt Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson as his starter. Flynn was paid good money in the offseason to be the team’s No. 1 quarterback, but the rookie third-round pick out of Wisconsin has impressed and the job is still up for grabs. With the regular season just two weeks away, Carroll will need to name his opening day starter soon. (Note: Russell Wilson has been named the starter for Week 3 in Kansas City)
The quarterback battle has pushed the sportsbook spotlight away from the rest of the team this preseason, but there is talent there on both sides of the ball that could make this Seahawks’ team a legitimate contender in the NFC West if they can put it altogether. Running back Marshawn Lynch is a monster between the tackles that will help take the pressure off of whoever starts at quarterback, and the team added some key weapons to team with Sidney Rice at wide receiver in Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards. Seattle also signed tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. in the offseason, so both Flynn and Wilson will have a ton of weapons.
There is also reason to be optimistic about the defense following a strong 5Dimes football offseason in which the Seahawks added tackle Jason Jones and linebacker Barrett Ruud in free agency, as well as defensive end Bruce Irvin and linebacker Bobby Wagner in the first two rounds of the 2012 NFL Draft. The secondary is solid with Pro Bowl performers like safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Brandon Browner, and if the front-seven can raise its level of play with four key additions, Seattle could have the second-best defense in the division behind the San Francisco 49ers.
In fact, with the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams still facing major questions, the 49ers appear to be the only team in the Seahawks’ way of reaching the top of the AFC West. However, Seattle will play the Cowboys, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, Lions, Jets, and Bears outside of the division, seven games that could offset its chances of pulling off a surprise playoff run. The seat will get a little warmer for Carroll this season as he looks to get back to the postseason in his third year with the club, and his decisions will be scrutinized very carefully, beginning with the most important of all, which is who to name the starting quarterback. A strong offseason has the Seahawks’ fans excited that they will be able to contend for something more than mediocrity this NFL betting season, and it is now up to Carroll and his staff to put the players in apposition to succeed. For all of the latest NFL odds, make sure to check out the best sports betting sites.
