Three things revisited: Seahawks-Broncos

August, 19, 2012
Looking back on three things discussed here before Seattle's 30-10 preseason victory at Denver on Saturday night:

1. QB competition continued. Matt Flynn did not appear to play his way out of the starting job, but another impressive showing from rookie Russell Wilson should give the Seahawks something to think about.

Penalties and pressure were problems early. Flynn held the ball too long another time. He overthrew Braylon Edwards in the end zone (not sure if that was a throwaway). Flynn was on target other times, including when he found Kellen Winslow. He scrambled effectively on a bootleg. Flynn and Terrell Owens weren't on the same page. They had multiple opportunities to make positive plays, both long and short. It never happened. Flynn completed 6 of 13 passes for 31 yards overall.

Wilson started the second half and made an impact initially with his ability to avoid the rush. He showed good timing and touch on a pass over the middle to Sean McGrath. Phil Bates was open deep for what should have been a touchdown, but the ball sailed long (Bates appeared to lose his stride at one point, a potential factor). Wilson completed 10 of 17 passes for 155 yards and two scores with no interceptions.

Wilson showed ample arm strength and poise in making a desperation pass appear routine. The Broncos were knocking him to the ground when Wilson, his body at roughly a 45-degree angle to the ground, threw a laser of a pass from his own 45-yard line to Lavasier Tuinei at the Denver 34. That's a pass traveling 21 yards through a defense to its target while the quarterback was getting drilled. How many guys can do that?

2. Terrell Owens’ debut. This was a step backward for Owens after the free-agent addition seemed to be making progress in practices. Flynn force-fed the ball to Owens early in the game, but the two weren't in sync. Owens' negative body language following one of the miscues stood out. That sort of stuff doesn't go over well. Owens won't be on the team for the long haul if that continues, in my view.

When Owens got deep down the middle, he dropped Flynn's perfectly thrown pass for what should have been a touchdown. Another time, Flynn threw shorter when Owens took off for the end zone. One pass from Flynn fell incomplete behind Owens.

3. That other QB. The Seahawks hoped to sign Peyton Manning this offseason, but Manning ignored their advances. Manning completed 16 of 23 passes for 177 yards against the Seahawks, often moving the ball effectively. But Seattle picked him off twice, once on a tipped pass deep in Seahawks territory.



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