Coffee and Cigarettes: Seahawks Links for Wednesday

Humpday!

Cardinals could bring extra QB; Tarvaris Jackson, Colt McCoy could be shopped - CBSSports.com
Seattle isn't exposing Tarvaris Jackson to preseason injury and many league sources expect him to be available to trade next week after the second preseason game. He will not play this week and didn't play last week either, which allows him to be showcased for trade and also is insurance for Seattle in case Matt Flynn or Russell Wilson gets hurt.

Russell Wilson vs. Tennessee Preseason 8.11.12 - YouTube
Russell Wilson running and passing plays vs. Tennessee Titans preseason 8/11/2012

NC State Russell Wilson, High School Highlight Tape - YouTube
Highlight Tape of Collegiate HS (Richmond, VA) quarterback, Russell Wilson (Class of '07). Signed with NC State.

Seahawks.com Blog | Monday in Hawkville: A review walkthrough "
"I thought the tackling was terrible," coach Pete Carroll said after the game. "We didn’t tackle anybody. Particularly in the second half, we were just falling off the guys and that’s a first-game situation. We just have to get a lot better. "That was really the area that jumped out at me. We could have had a ton of plays in the backfield for losses that we didn’t make. We just have to improve a lot there."

Former Redwood High standout Helfet enjoys first exhibition action with Seahawks - Marin Independent Journal
"The very first play I was out there and everything was going 100 miles per hour and you're all excited," Helfet said. "After that first play you realize it's just football. It's the same thing you've been doing your entire life."

Matt Flynn, Russell Wilson pull away in Seattle’s three-man quarterback race |
As John Breech of CBS Sports wrote, Wilson’s performance didn’t win him Seattle’s starting job, but it certainly forces Carroll and the Seahawks to give the rookie a much better look as the rest of the preseason grinds on (although Breech’s level-headedness is slightly undermined by the heading "Russellmania runs wild").

Russell Wilson is a wonder | Seattle Seahawks - The News Tribune
At first sight, it seemed as if Flynn simply didn’t see the linebacker drop into coverage of a slant pattern, but Carroll later explained that the play called for a run-action fake by a back. When the back went elsewhere, it allowed the linebacker to unexpectedly drift back into the path of the pass. While Flynn threw almost nothing but strikes, Wilson was a high-voltage jolt of electricity.

Olympian Jeff Demps is a football player again… how will he fit back into the league? - NFL.com
As you probably saw on NFL.com, Jeff Demps is headed back to football. The Olympic silver medalist, who contributed to Team U.S.A.’s 4 x 100 relay, filed paperwork with the NFL today.

ProFootballWeekly.com - Draft Prospect - Jeffery Demps
Notes: Native Floridian who starred in football and track, capturing a pair of state championships in the 100 meters. As a true freshman in 2008, carried 78 times for 605 yards (7.8-yard average) with seven touchdowns. Had groin surgery in the spring of ’09 to repair a left abductor release. In the fall, started 12-of-14 games and rushed 99-745-7 (7.5) despite battling the flu in September, a sprained neck against Mississippi State and a dislocated left elbow against Cincinnati.

Sustained a concussion in August ’10 before starting 5-of-11 games played and running 92-551-3 (6.0). Sprained his left foot against Tennessee and was bothered by the injury the rest of the season, sitting out against LSU and Vanderbilt. Caught 41 career passes for 309 yards (22.3) and 10 touchdowns. Also returned 11 kickoffs for 354 yards (32.2) and two punts for 37 yards (18.5). Played 12 games in ’11, starting five, and totaled 98-569-6 (5.8) rushing, 16-172-0 (10.8) receiving and 10-250-1 (25.0) on kickoff returns. Hurt his shoulder against UAB and sat out the second half. Sprained his left ankle against Alabama, carried just twice against LSU and was unable to play against Auburn. Fumbled 11 times in 424 touches and gained 6.7 yards per carry. Team captain. Doubles as an Olympic-caliber sprinter. At the conclusion of his senior season, opted to forgo football in order to train for the Olympics, which required dropping nearly 15 pounds. Declined invitation to Combine.

8-13 Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle's live and local sports station
Mitch and Hugh talk to Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck.

Hugh Millen & Richard Sherman 8-14 - Seattle's live and local sports station
Hugh Millen, Richard Sherman and Softy talk about the Seahawks, the QB battle, and the defense.

Flynn vs. Wilson: The Debate Rages On " Wait For It Seattle
"In this situation, I think to make it the most competitive for our team, Tarvaris needs to be our starter right now," Carroll said on July 30, 2011. Thank goodness we have moved past this stage of Seahawks football.

Seahawks.com Blog | Flynn to start against Broncos "
"This is what the plan was all along, if it worked out and it has," Carroll said. "The fact that both guys played well just keeps us in that mode that we’ve got to see a little more and learn a little bit more – see if they can carry it over to a really good defense at Denver, and see how it goes."

Still Matt Flynn's job to lose with Seattle Seahawks - ESPN
Flynn, who started the exhibition opener against Tennessee on Saturday night, will remain the starter when the team visits Denver this weekend, Carroll told reporters Tuesday. Wilson, who played the second half against the Titans, will play the same role against the Broncos. "This is where they sit right now," Carroll said.

Seahawks.com Blog | Flynn to start against Broncos "
"This is what the plan was all along, if it worked out and it has," Carroll said. "The fact that both guys played well just keeps us in that mode that we’ve got to see a little more and learn a little bit more – see if they can carry it over to a really good defense at Denver, and see how it goes."

Press Conference: Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll talks with the media following the Seahawks practice as he announces who will start against the Denver Broncos.

Rice and shine: Sidney returns to Seahawks practice along with Doug Baldwin, Ricardo Lockette |
"I had to try to simulate some game-like situations," Rice said.

Carroll: Flynn will start vs. Broncos | Seahawks Insider
"I think this is the right way to do it," Carroll said. "I think this is where they sit right now. This kind of what I thought would happen. I did consider that as one of the possibilities. And it was going to be based on making the progress that we’re making. And "Matt’s done a really good job of commanding all of the stuff. He understands the game in great depth. And he gives us a veteran presence, even though he hasn’t had a lot of starting time because he recognizes defense. He’s well into that whole understanding on what’s going on, on the other side of the ball. And it’s a challenge for Russell to catch u to all of that stuff. He’s battling to get that done. There’s a difference right now."

Seahawks notes: Owens could play against Denver - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
The wacky play of the day came near the end of practice when Wilson could not find any receivers open, so he threw the football into deep brush next to Lake Washington. We're pleased to report one of the staff members found the ball before it became a floater!

Initial impressions of Seahawks rookies Irvin, Wagner - Blog - MyNorthwest.com
The Seahawks' preseason opener marked the debuts of Seattle's top two draft picks, defensive end Bruce Irvin and linebacker Bobby Wagner. In the video below, Bob Stelton and Dave Wyman share what they saw from the two rookies.

Zach Miller not practicing after suffering concussion Saturday | Seahawks Blog | The Seattle Times
Tight end Zach Miller was not on the practice field when the Seahawks returned to work on Tuesday. This is not surprising. He suffered a concussion during Saturday night's exhibition game after his second catch. He held onto the ball, and attempted to stay in the game before being pulled off by the training staff.

The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Pre-Season Week One | End Zone Report
Hey man, it’s just Pre-Season True, but not true. The NFL Preseason is regarded as an evaluation process for many. Young draft picks, practice squad guys, seasoned vets, and those guys looking for one more chance. The Pre-Season lets the coaches and the fans determine in their own minds who is who. Who is gonna start where? Who is going to be a Pro Bowler? Who is going to have an impact? Who is going to get cut? So let’s recap Week One of the NFL Pre-Season with some good, bad, and ugly.

Areas for concern for all 32 NFL teams - NFL.com
Seattle Seahawks: The wide receiver situation is more confusing after a few weeks than it was when the Seahawks started camp. Matt Flynn looks like the presumptive starter at quarterback, but who will start with him in Week 1? It would be great to see Sidney Rice in a preseason game.

Cantor Gaming offers new way to bet fantasy football | National Football Post
The "Cantor 7" is scheduled to hit Las Vegas in Week 1.

Against the Grain | National Football Post
Marshawn Lynch is at his best when he’s not so exciting.

Cowboys-Raiders notes | National Football Post
Coaching points, Terrelle Pryor, plus some Xs and Os.

2013 NFL Mock Drafts - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com
The mock draft order used is determined by NFLDraftScout.com.

Boxscore Bottom Dwellers to Watch | The Rookie Scouting Portfolio
The most prevalent question with the most divergent opinions during preseason football is, of course, How much should pay attention to the games? If you play fantasy football in a dynasty league the answer is quite a bit. The production that these end of the roster players earn shouldn’t be weighted heavily, but watching how they get their yardage and touchdowns is worth a look. Here’s a list of players I’m watching this year. They’re battling for roster spots, much less any significant playing time. However, this is where players like Victor Cruz and LaRod Stephens Howling got their start.

First Impressions: The Remaining First Rounders | ProFootballFocus.com
I was eagerly anticipating watching Bruce Irvin after the shock his selection caused. He played 19 first half snaps, nearly all with the second team defense and with his hand always on the ground. He’s a very busy linemen, and was always looking to beat linemen with double moves. This nearly worked on Michael Roos, who bit on the outside move and then found himself being driven towards his QB on a screen pass. Did make a nice tackle for a loss with a quick first step that befuddled Mike Otto, but was largely subdued in the first half as Roos, Otto and particularly David Stewart got to grips with him.

Preseason Tale of the Tape - Training Camp Lowdown - Rotoworld.com
Preseason games are largely meaningless, but they can provide us with clues when it comes to usage, depth chart position, and performance quality after we sift through the trash. Cam Newton's 2011 preseason stats and ball movement were pathetic, but he stood tall in the pocket and didn't run when his first read was covered. Coming out of Auburn's read-option, run-first offense, that was a hidden, but promising sign. If you watched Jimmy Graham's 2011 preseason, you knew he was poised for an explosion. Graham was a fixture in New Orleans' first-team offense all August, and emerged as Drew Brees' favorite target when the real games began.

The Circadian Advantage: How Sleep Patterns Benefit Certain NFL Teams
Imagine, for a second, that you are in a casino in Las Vegas. You have been in town for a few days, spent too much and slept too little, and recently found out the hard way that you are not as good at poker as you had thought. Now would be a good time to find a wager where the odds, like a tipsy bartender, are tilted in your favor.