Seahawks ready to follow Wilson

RENTON – Russell Wilson and fellow rookie Robert Turbin are two dreamers who believe big things are in store for the Seattle Seahawks.

So Turbin, the running back, was not surprised when his roommate, the quarterback, was announced as the winner of Seattle’s highly contested quarterback competition on Sunday.

Turbin said he texted Wilson congratulations when he heard the news on TV.

“He puts in a lot of hard work, man,” Turbin said. “And he deserved to be the starter. He earned it. And I told him that I got his back for a whole career.”

Turbin said that he and Wilson have similar viewpoints, and both practice visualizing their goals in order to achieve them.

“We definitely talk,” Turbin said. “We talk about a lot of our goals that we have, not only for ourselves, but as a quarterback-running back tandem, and also as a team.

“In order to do great things you’ve got to dream those things. You’ve got to make those things a goal. You can never have a goal too big – something that’s impossible. He and I believe there’s always a possibility. Somehow, some way you can get it done.”

For his part, Wilson said that even though he was drafted in the third round and the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn to a three-year, $19 million deal in free agency, he still approached his first year in Seattle with the mindset of earning a starting job.

“I definitely had starting … as a goal,” Wilson said. “And I have high expectations of myself. I always have, always will. That will never waiver. And I always believe in my talent. I always have.”

Seattle center Max Unger understands Seattle’s coaching staff had a tough decision.

“It was close, man,” Unger said. “It could have gone either way. We don’t really know what’s going on with all the passing stuff that the quarterbacks do. But the coaches made the call, and we’re happy with the coaches’ decision

“There’s a couple real small things that we’ll have to work out. But all in all, he’s had great control of the offense. And he’s very confident back there, and that’s what you want.”

While coach Pete Carroll was impressed with Wilson’s consistency during practice, what ultimately won the job for Wilson in Carroll’s mind was his play in the exhibition season.

Through three games, Wilson has completed 67.3 percent of his passes (35-of-52) for 464 yards. He has averaged 8.9 yards per pass attempt, has thrown for five touchdowns and just one interception. He has also rushed 10 times for 150 yards and a touchdown.

Wilson has put points on the board on 12 of 19 drives during preseason play, including eight touchdowns.

Flynn failed to lead Seattle to a touchdown in the first two exhibitions.

“Russell’s performance was just so far off the charts that we just had to recognize it,” Carroll said. “He did so many things in the games, but that’s not all. This has been a really long-term competition and they have been battling all throughout.

“The games did kind of decide the issue. But the work that these guys have done and put in has been well carried out, highly competitive and fought throughout. And we had to get to a point where we had to make a decision, and we feel really good about that decision.”

Turbin said Wilson leads with a purpose, and the rest of the players are willing to follow.

“He’s the first guy in and the last guy out, you know what I mean?” Turbin said. “Sometimes I beat him to the punch. But ever since he’s got here, he’s acted like a quarterback that’s been here for 10 years. He never really acted like a rookie.

“He motivates guys to go to work. We know that as an offense we can depend on him. So in return we want him to be able to depend on us. So we just go out there and try and get the job done.”

LYNCH STILL OUT

Running back Marshawn Lynch’s back issue could be more of a concern than previously thought. Lynch missed practice on Monday to receive treatment for back spasms that have been an ongoing issue for the Cal product since he arrived in Seattle.

Lynch played at Denver on Aug. 18, but did not play in Kansas City last week.

Carroll said Lynch will not play against Oakland on Thursday as the training staff works to get him ready for Arizona.

“We’ll have rested him a couple of weeks to make sure that he’s OK,” Carroll said. “He’s had back conditions in the past, so we’re just making sure we’re doing the right thing and taking all the time that is available.”

EXTRA POINTS

Reserve quarterback Matt Flynn threw the ball and worked out for about half of the practice Monday, but was shut down to ice his sore elbow. Carroll said he’s hopeful that Flynn can get up to full speed today, and play against Oakland on Thursday. Third-string quarterback Josh Portis is expected to play as well. … The Seahawks announced the Tarvaris Jackson trade to Buffalo has been finalized. Seattle reportedly received a seventh-round pick that could be upgraded to a sixth-round pick in the 2013 draft depending on Jackson’s playing time. … The Seahawks also released cornerback Coye Francies to get down to 75 players. … Offensive lineman John Moffitt returned to practice on Monday and worked with the second unit. Carroll said if everything goes well, Moffitt will play on Thursday, but it appears he’s in a battle with rookie J.R. Sweezy for his starting right guard job. … Safety Kam Chancellor was back at practice Monday after not playing against Kansas City because of a sore hip. … Players who did not practice included defensive end Jason Jones (knee), defensive tackle Greg Scruggs (hamstring), linebacker Matt McCoy (knee), receiver Doug Baldwin (hamstring) and safety Chris Maragos (shoulder). Cornerback Walter Thurmond (leg) and offensive lineman James Carpenter (knee) remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.