Coach Pete Carroll indicated that Russell Wilson is splitting quarterback reps evenly with Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson in OTAs.
The three-way competition is more than just lip service, but keep in mind that it's only May. The top two candidates will need more reps by training camp, eliminating whichever quarterback is falling behind. Unless Wilson opens eyes over the next month, he's the most likely candidate to fall by the wayside.
Team sources tell the National Football Post they "wouldn’t be surprised" if Tarvaris Jackson beat out Matt Flynn for the Seahawks' starting quarterback job.
We're (very) skeptical. Coach Pete Carroll emphasizes competition at every position, but Flynn wasn't given $10 million guaranteed because the Seahawks were happy with Jackson's 79.2 quarterback rating in 2011. The dice will be loaded in Flynn's favor, and on the off chance Jackson does earn the starting job during camp, he'll be on an exceptionally short leash.
According to CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman, the Dolphins are still "very much in play" for free agent Peyton Manning.
Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports adds that the front offices in Miami and Denver remain "extremely confident" in landing Manning. We're still not buying the Dolphins as a legit candidate. After speaking with a "good source" Tuesday night, the Palm Beach Post notes that it's "becoming clear" the Phins will begin moving away from Manning and toward Matt Flynn.
According to the Seattle Times, there's a "pretty strong buzz" the Seahawks will aggressively pursue free agent DE/OLB Mario Williams.
The Seahawks are also expected to make "goo-goo eyes" at free agent Matt Flynn after striking out on Peyton Manning. ESPN's John Clayton reported at the Combine the Seahawks' NFC West rivals believed they would be one of Williams' primary suitors. Seattle was one of the league's more aggressive teams in free agency in 2011.
GM John Schneider insists the Seahawks are "really excited" about the potential of second-year QB Josh Portis.
"He had a phenomenal preseason," said Schneider, "and made a lot of progress throughout the year as well." Schneider once again emphasized that the team will not make any panic moves at quarterback, such as "giving up draft choices to go get somebody" or "guaranteeing somebody a ton of money that you're not quite sure is the guy that's going to get you over the hump." That would seem to rule out RGIII and Matt Flynn.
According to the Akron Beacon-Journal, "all signs" point toward the Browns selecting a quarterback "early in the draft" if they don't sign one in free agency.
With Colt McCoy yet to convince the Browns' "bigwigs that he’s the guy," the paper considers Matt Flynn "a logical candidate" in free agency. Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill is considered a potential option "later in the first round" if the Browns don't trade up and are leap-frogged for Baylor QB Robert Griffin III. It would be an upset if the Browns don't make a hard push for RGIII.
Seahawks GM John Schneider insists he won't make a "panic" move at quarterback because "it can set the organization back."
"That may disappoint fans, because they want to see an instant guy and have that instant success," Schneider said. "But really, you're better off continuing to build your team." Schneider's comments suggest the Seahawks will be reluctant to overpay for free agent Matt Flynn or reach for Texas A&M's Ryan Tannehill at No. 12 overall.
NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora believes Robert Griffin III has a much better chance than Peyton Manning of quarterbacking the Redskins next season.
Other than a "cockamamie" contract offer from owner Daniel Snyder, LaCanfora sees no reason for Manning to share the Redskins' interest. The franchise does need to "galvanize that fan base and sell some hope," though, and Mike Shanahan's tight relationship with Jeff Fisher could grease the skids for a trade up to No. 2 overall. LaCanfora mentions Kyle Orton and Saints restricted free agent Chase Daniel as alternatives, but "another system dude under center isn't going to cut the muster ... I don't think Matt Flynn is the answer for them, [either]."
Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland confirmed Tuesday that he's seeking an upgrade on Matt Moore at quarterback this offseason.
"We need a quarterback that can lead us over the hump," Ireland said. "This is a quarterback league. We have to do our best to make our position better." Moore deserves a chance to compete for the starting job in 2012, but it's hard to fault the organization setting its sights on a franchise-caliber QB (Matt Flynn is the obvious candidate to follow Joe Philbin to Miami). At the very least, Moore's strong second-half has earned him perhaps a decade in the league as a high-end backup.
Dolphins hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as head coach.
Broncos OC Mike McCoy overplayed his hand and may now be stuck for another year with Tim Tebow. Philbin was owner Stephen Ross' preferred option, and the man with the money usually gets his way. Philbin, 50, was Green Bay's offensive coordinator from 2007 through 2011. While he was second in command to offensive-minded HC Mike McCarthy, Philbin helped engineer a unit that never ranked worse than ninth in total offense during that span. Philbin runs a West Coast scheme and may attempt to lure free agent Matt Flynn to Miami. Brandon Marshall flourished in a similar offense under Mike Shanahan in Denver, so he'll know the terminology. We like the hire for the Dolphins' skill players.
The player rep for Jermichael Finley said Thursday that the Packers would prefer to sign the free agent to a long-term contract rather than apply the franchise tag.
"We've been speaking and they've made it clear they would like him to be back there," said the agent, "and Jermichael's made it clear he would like to be back there." Finley and his agent plan to push for the wide receiver franchise tag if they can't reach agreement on an extension. Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged this week that Finley plays three receiver positions in addition to tight end. A long-term deal would open the franchise tag for Matt Flynn.
The franchise tag number for tight ends in 2012 is expected to be only $5.4 million.
Football Outsiders' Brian McIntyre has projected the number to be somewhere between $5,416,000 and $5,624,000. Of all 2012 free agent tight ends, Jermichael Finley of the Packers is most likely to be franchise tagged. The number is much more manageable than the $14-plus million it would cost to tag free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, and Green Bay would prefer to keep Finley.
