CLEVELAND – You win some, you lose some.
That’s the nature of the backup quarterback job in the NFL.
During his five seasons in Seattle, Seneca Wallace finished with a 5-9 record substituting for an injured Matt Hasselbeck.
Seattle’s current backup quarterback, bearded Charlie Whitehurst, is in a similar situation today. He’s likely to start against the Cleveland Browns if starter Tarvaris Jackson has not recovered sufficiently from a strained pectoral.
Whitehurst proved he can play at a high level if called upon last season, helping guide Seattle to a 16-6 win over St. Louis in the final regular-season game to help the Seahawks earn a playoff spot.
And he played well filling in after Jackson was hurt two weeks ago in a come-from-behind win over the New York Giants. But Whitehurst also struggled mightily in his only other start last year, a lopsided loss to the Giants.
Seattle’s starters will have to adjust to a new cadence and a streamlined playbook with Whitehurst on the field. But other than that, rookie receiver Doug Baldwin said everything else is the same.
“You just go out there and play,” Baldwin said. “We can’t control who’s at quarterback at the time. Obviously, you get reps with them in practice. But since you can’t control things that are out of your control, all you can do is make sure you’re running the route the way you’ve been taught, and making sure you’re there at the proper time, and it’s the quarterback’s job to do the rest.”
Center Max Unger agreed with Baldwin. Whitehurst will do things differently, but the first team’s constant repetitions with him during practice this week should make the transition a smooth one.
“That’s kind of what practice is obviously for,” Unger said. “But Charlie knows the offense as well as any of the coaches do, so it’s just a matter of understanding how he calls it on the field, which is different. So that just comes with practice.”
Jackson was anointed the starter by coach Peter Carroll before ever taking a snap with his new team, and Whitehurst was frustrated at not getting an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
But instead of moping, Whitehurst worked hard to learn the new offense and played well when he got chances during the exhibition season.
Whitehurst said he also feels comfortable with Seattle’s emphasis on the no-huddle offense.
“I like it,” he said “It’s great. It puts pressure on the defense. We’ve seen that the last few weeks. I’m comfortable back there – (I) know the calls and you’re kind of in control back there, too. That’s nice. You get kind of the feel of the game and get to call some of your own plays and it puts your head in the game that much more.”
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Seattle can win with either Whitehurst or Jackson, but Jackson can run more stuff offensively because of his time working with Bevell in Minnesota.
“Obviously T-Jack has a little bit better … overall feel of everything in the offense,” Bevell said. “I could call anything and feel comfortable that he can do it.
“Charlie – he’s done a great job of picking up everything – but there’s still some things that he hasn’t seen as many times as Tarvaris has.”
Carroll was asked if an impressive performance by Whitehurst would enhance his likelihood of becoming the team’s starting quarterback. While not totally squashing the possibility, Carroll still appears committed to Jackson as Seattle’s starter for the foreseeable future.
“If you’re looking for me to say what I’m going to do if something happens, I would never even go there,” Carroll said. “We’re just going to wait and see what happens. We don’t have to make declarations like that. We just wait it out and take all the information in and see what happens.
“We’ve already been in this type of situation if you think back to last year with Charlie and with Matt (Hasselbeck). So that had its own set of circumstances and this one is different, so we’ll just take them all independently and figure them out when the time really comes down to it.”
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-3)
10 a.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium
TV: Ch. 13
Radio: 1240-AM, 710-AM, 97.3-FM.
The series: Seattle holds an 11-5 advantage in the series, but lost the last meeting between the two teams, a 33-30 overtime setback on Nov. 4, 2007, in Cleveland. Seattle has a 4-2 record at Cleveland.
What to watch: The Seahawks made a couple of roster moves on Saturday to shore up depth on the active roster, waiving defensive tackle Jason Shirley and linebacker Stephen Franklin, and activating tight end Cameron Morrah from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, and signing safety Chris Maragos from the practice squad. … Tight end Zach Miller (head/neck) has been ruled out for today’s game, while quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) and center Max Unger (foot) are doubtful. Lemuel Jeanpierre will start at center if Unger can’t go. … Offensive guard Robert Gallery will start for the first time since Week 2, giving Seattle its fourth different starting offensive line combination this season. The Seahawks have not won back-to-back games on the road since 2007. … Browns president Mike Holmgren faces his former team for the first time since leaving as Seahawks coach in 2008.
THE PICK: Seahawks, 22-16.
PRIME NUMBERS
SEATTLE
No.NamePositionHt./Wt.Year
6 Charlie WhitehurstQB 6-5/225sixth
Whitehurst just needs to play solid and not turn the ball over
18Sidney RiceWR6-4/202fifth
Rice is due for a big game, and if Cleveland’s Joe Haden (knee) can’t play, expect Seattle to go to him early and often.
29Earl ThomasFS5-10/202second
He’ll battle against former Texas teammate, Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy.
92Brandon MebaneDT6-1/311fifth
He’s been one of the key players in Seattle’s solid play stuffing the run.
CLEVELAND
No. NamepositionHt./Wt.Year
12 Colt McCoyQB6-1/215second
Hawks are worried about his ability to make plays with his feet.
31 Montario HardestyRB 6-0/225second
Hardesty well get the lion’s share of the carries if Peyton Hillis (hamstring) can’t go.
98 Phil TaylorDT 6-3/335first
Run-stuffing defensive lineman playing well in his rookie season.
52 D’Qwell JacksonLB 6-0/240sixth
Browns’ leading tackler with a combined 49 stops.
Eric D. Williams, staff writer
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