Seahawk: Matt Flynn named starter for preseason match-up

Pete Carroll announced in his lengthy press conference yesterday that after a firm evaluation, he was prepared to give the first preseason start to free agent Matt Flynn this Saturday against the Tennessee Titans.

As Seattle breathes its first collective sigh of relief, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Though it would appear that Flynn has final got the nod to take the helm of the Seahawks offense, Carroll has made it clear that he still hasn’t won the job in its entirety.

“Matt has done a great job so far,” Carroll said. “He’s learned the system and he’s on it. He can make all the adjustments and all the calls. He can read the defense very well and he’s moving very well in the pocket. But now I need to see him in a situation where he takes over and see what that looks like.”

The head coach had also commented that incumbant starter Tarvaris Jackson had come in to camp looking “strong and quick.” He claimed that he felt comfortable enough with Jackson’s knowledge of the offense and the system that, not only will Flynn get the start, but rookie Russell Wilson will get the entire second half of Saturdays game to see what he can do. Which will leave Jackson sidelined for the first game. “Tarvaris came into camp in great shape,” Carroll said. “He’s a lot quicker than he was and he worked his tail off in the offseason. His arm is strong and fully recovered. He knows what we’re doing and is solid with everything.” Jackson played for 14 games last season, after being sidelined with a pectoral injury, he continued to play last year and led his team to a 7-9 record. His time with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was supposed to give him an upper hand in the competition. Flynn played two, albeit, great games against Tom Brady’s Pats and the newly revamped Detroit Lions. The ex-Green Bay back-up had a record-setting game against Detroit with six touchdowns and 480 yards.  However, Pete still remains tightly zipped on who will become the number one quarterback. “To make a debate decision like this it’s about the information that you gather and I really want good information coming in so we can really make a clear choice,” Carroll said. Does this mean that Carroll has finally pulled the trigger on the quarterback controversy? Is this the coaches way of saying that Jackson is on his way out? “You’ll have to wait and see,” Carroll said. “Take it one week at a time.”