Seahawks' backup options surely won't include Jackson or Vick

If the Seahawks do as many think they should, and as some think they will be able to, and trade Matt Flynn, they will need a backup quarterback.

Pete Carroll has said the team is interested in adding a more mobile backup who can do some of the things the dynamic Russell Wilson can do, and that has led to some speculation that Tarvaris Jackson or Michael Vick could be targeted by the Hawks.

Hogwash on both counts.

Why would the Hawks bring back a guy they traded last year when they could have just kept him over Flynn in the first place? No, Jackson will not be back.

And why would they want an injury-prone clubhouse cancer and PR nightmare with a prison record? Hell no, Vick will not be in Seattle.

Of course, Jackson and Vick could end up taking spots that could otherwise be potential destinations for Flynn.

Jackson reportedly could be headed to New York to reunite with former Seahawks VP John Idzik, now the Jets' GM, and battle Mark Sanchez for the starting job.

Vick figures to be on the radar of Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs, and he reportedly could take Jackson's roster spot in Buffalo and push Ryan Fitzgerald.

The Jets, based on the Seattle-Idzik connection and the West Coast offense being installed by Marty Mornhinweg, are a long shot trade option for Flynn. But Jackson would be a cheaper option and also is versed in the WCO.

The Chiefs would seem to be a better possibility for Flynn, but if Reid really wants Vick, the Hawks would be left looking at Gus Bradley's Jacksonville Jaguars or perhaps the Oakland Raiders.

Many think the Hawks will end up simply releasing Flynn if he refuses to cut his $5.25 million salary. Of course, that would seem to be complete folly. They surely will be able to get something for him -- if not in March or April then in August or October, or next offseason.

Either way, Carroll hinted that the Hawks like some of the mobile QBs in the draft. Two who could be good mid-round picks are Florida State's E.J. Manuel and Arizona's Matt Scott.

And if the Hawks end up needing a veteran backup, here’s a name from the past to consider: Seneca Wallace.

Wallace was out of the league last season, cut by Cleveland. But Carroll could do worse than the longtime Seahawk backup, who has many of the same physical qualities as Wilson.

Wallace, 32, has played in the WCO his entire career. Mike Holmgren wasted Wallace's athleticism, which once was every bit as dynamic as Wilson's. Wallace is older and surely a bit slower, but he could be a nice short-term veteran backup to Wilson.

In January, Wallace told Bleacher Report: "I can see myself going back to a team I'm familiar with. I've been running in the West Coast offense for a while now and I know there's a few head coaches out there that I would love to play for. Andy Reid is out in KC now, and he runs the West Coast. Sean Payton in New Orleans. Green Bay or Arizona would also be great destinations."

And he did not forget the Seahawks: "In Seattle, they were able to build a system around Russell Wilson that helped him out this year. Their running game, their defense. Plus, they have a really great crowd up there."

That crowd surely would prefer Wallace to Jackson or Vick if the Seahawks trade Flynn and need a new backup to Wilson.

Advertisement

, Seattle Seahawks Examiner

Chris Cluff worked as a sports editor and writer for The Seattle Times for 11 years and has written two books on the Seattle Seahawks. Since leaving the Times, he has written about the Seahawks and Seattle sports for Bleacher Report and the blog he shares with a fellow sportswriter,...

Today's top buzz...