Seahawks Wilson doesn't expect sophomore slump
RENTON, Wash. -- Asked about the possibility of Russell Wilson suffering a setback in his second season, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said his quarterback is up to the challenge.
"He had a great (rookie) year," Carroll said. "It'd be hard for anybody to come back and have a better year. It's a challenge in itself just to do that. That's just something that anybody who has a good season has to deal with. I think his mindset is excellent. And his preparation, his habits, his concern and his focus is excellent."
Wilson, who earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl as a surprise rookie starter for Seattle, echoed those sentiments.
"I don't even know those words," Wilson said when asked about the possibility of a sophomore slump. "I don't pay attention to it. I think the biggest thing is just focusing on tomorrow and focusing on the day -- the rest of the day that I have and the next couple hours I have here."
Wilson's command of Seattle's offense was on display at the Seahawks' mandatory minicamp this week, as he expertly executed a Seattle offense that appeared in midseason form, with several pinpoint passes to receivers Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin, along with tight end Sean McGrath.
"The reads are coming a lot easier for all of us on offense," Baldwin said. "Russell's seeing us. He knows what we're capable of doing. And he's finding us in the holes that he didn't necessarily see last year just because we've got that rapport and chemistry growing now."
Even though the Seahawks will have five weeks until the beginning of training camp, tentatively scheduled for July 25, Russell doesn't plan on taking much time off between then to rest his mind and body.
Wilson says he doesn't need it.
"I'll rest later," he said. "You guys have got to remember I played two sports most of my life. It's one of those things where I've never had a break - ever - before this past offseason. My biggest thing is I like to have a lot of things on my plate."
And the driving force for Wilson and the rest of his teammates remains the thought that this year could be special.
"We have so much talent on this team, and we believe that we're capable of winning the Super Bowl -- not only this year," Baldwin said. "That's just our belief. You wouldn't step out on the field if you didn't believe that."
