Seahawks’ Wilson not worried about sophomore slump
RENTON, Wash. – What do you do for an encore after leading your team to the brink of the NFC championship as a surprise rookie starting quarterback?
If you’re Russell Wilson, you move on to the next challenge.
Heading into his second season, Wilson said he’s not concerned about the possibility of a sophomore slump.
“I don’t even know those words,” Wilson said after his team’s first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. “I don’t pay attention to it. I think the biggest thing is just focusing on tomorrow and focusing on the day – the rest of the day that I have and the next couple hours I have here.”
Those words may sound like platitudes if uttered by a different athlete. But Seattle head coach Pete Carroll understands that’s just Wilson being Wilson.
“He ain’t letting anything happen but going straight ahead,” Carroll said when asked about the possibility of his starting quarterback suffering a letdown this year. “He’s going to keep ballin’, working and preparing. And somebody might want to label it something, but he’s so much farther ahead than last year at this time. And he’s in greater command.”
Wilson put that command on display, expertly executing a Seattle offense that appeared in midseason form.
“The reads are coming a lot easier for all of us on offense,” receiver Doug Baldwin said. “Russell’s seeing us. He knows what we’re capable of doing. And he’s finding us in the holes that he didn’t necessarily see last year just because we’ve got that rapport and chemistry growing now.”
Even though the Seahawks will have five weeks off after Thursday until the beginning of training camp, scheduled for July 25, Russell doesn’t plan on taking much time off between then to rest his mind and body.
Wilson says he doesn’t need it.
“I’ll rest later,” he said. “You guys have got to remember I played two sports most of my life. It’s one of those things where I’ve never had a break – ever – before this past offseason.”
Tight end Miller sits with sore foot
Seahawks tight end Zach Miller did not practice on Tuesday, wearing a boot on his left foot. Carroll said Miller has a sore foot on the same leg that he suffered a torn plantar fascia after the NFC divisional playoff loss at Atlanta.
However, Carroll said the injury to Miller is different.
“He has a sore foot, so we’re just resting it,” Carroll said.
While Miller watched, a host of Seattle players returned from nagging injuries, including free agent addition defensive end Cliff Avril. He did not practice during the team’s organized team activities because of a foot issue.
T-Jack headed back to Seattle?
Baldwin did not mince words about wanting the Seahawks to bring back quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
The seven-year pro was cut by Buffalo on Monday, as the Bills narrowed the competition for the starting quarterback job to veteran Kevin Kolb and first-round draft choice E.J. Manual.
First reported by ESPN, a team source confirmed that Jackson had a planned visit to Seattle this week.
If re-signed, Jackson would compete with Brady Quinn for the backup job.
In his only season with Seattle, Jackson played most of the 2011 season with a torn pectoral muscle, finishing 7-7 as the team’s starter.
“He’s loved in the locker room because of what he did for us in 2011,” Baldwin said. “He fought through injuries, and was able to put his best foot forward out on the field.”
Extra points
Defensive end Chris Clemons traveled from his native Georgia to attend this week’s mandatory minicamp. Clemons, who had ACL reconstructive knee surgery in January, appeared in good shape while watching his position group go through individual drills. … Right tackle Breno Giacomini returned to practice on Tuesday. Carroll said that tests Giacomini had on an ailing knee back in New York last week came back negative. … Along with Avril and Giacomini, safety Winston Guy, tight end Cooper Helfet and receivers Stephen Williams, Brett Swain and Charly Martin returned to practice.