Russell Wilson: Pete Carroll's Early Confidence in QB Is Meaningless

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expressed a great deal of confidence in Seattle's third-round draft pick, Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, on Friday night.

Despite the energy fans envision when reading Carroll's comments, the early excitement from the third-year coach serves as nothing more than an attempt at justification for a poor first three rounds from the Seahawks in the 2012 NFL draft.

Seattle selected relatively unknown outside linebacker Bruce Irvine from West Virginia No. 15 overall, and then took inside linebacker Bobby Wagner in the mid-second round before picking up Wilson with the 75th overall pick.

Although Wilson's success at the college level was impressive—3,175 yards passing and 33 touchdowns in 2011 with the Badgers—he has below-average size, durability and arm strength.

Not to mention the Seahawks just signed Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million contract in March. If there is anyone Carroll should be promoting, it's Flynn, who must prove himself as a starter as well.

Here are Carroll's comments via The Seattle Times on Friday: 

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"This is such an incredible athlete that has had extraordinary, historic success, he has done things that people had never thought of before. The fact that he was also such an extraordinary kid, he can handle all of the pressure that he's going to be under, and all the scrutiny that he already has. More than anybody else that was alive in the draft, this guy gives you a chance to have a great player, it's going to be really exciting to see what he can bring. All he's ever done is be great."

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There is no denying that Wilson is among the best high-character guys in this year's draft, and one of the better teammates that football fans have witnessed, but college football and the NFL are two very different beasts. Defenses in the NFL are much less forgiving to players who don't boast exceptional physical attributes.

Carroll's comments are understandable, but meaningless. For decades, coaches have had glowing remarks for players they themselves were a part of choosing, until that player's on-field efforts gets them fired at least.

The Seahawks will be under pressure to perform in 2012 after putting together two identical 7-9 seasons in Carroll's first two years in Seattle. If Flynn struggles early—which is entirely possible as he only has two career starts under center—and Carroll has the guts to start Wilson, then the energetic coach may be onto something.

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