On the Phone with Carroll and Wilson
Posted by on December 19, 2012 – 4:26 PM
When the 49ers defeated the Seahawks 13-6 in Week 7 on Thursday Night Football, Alex Smith was under center for San Francisco.
Now that Colin Kaepernick has taken control of the offense, Russell Wilson isn’t the only young, promising signal-caller to be playing the NFC West. While Wilson has led the Seahawks to back-to-back performances of at least 50 points, he has also been impressed with the way Kaepernick has played, especially with the Week 15 win at New England.
“He’s done a tremendous job,” Wilson said in a Wednesday conference call with Bay Area media. “He’s got a great arm and he’s a great quarterback. He’s got so much poise and I have so much respect for what he’s doing right now and how he’s playing. He’s got great ability and seems to be a great leader as well.”
Wilson earned the starting job in Seattle after being drafted in the third round and putting together a solid training camp, beating out prized free agent signee Matt Flynn. The rookie has peaked in recent weeks, as he rushed for three touchdowns in a 50-17 win over Buffalo on Sunday.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said the team tried not to overexpose Wilson early in the year, but that he’s been able to handle the NFL workload like a true professional.
“Sometimes you say, ‘We’re not surprised, we’re just thrilled with his progress.’ But it is surprising that he’s so comfortable with gameplans and the ability to adjust one week to the next,” Carroll said. “Of course he’s great at doing his homework, but he also shows a real flexibility and he’s not stuck on anything. It really helps us and our trust in him has really skyrocketed in the last month.”
But Wilson already knows how hard-nosed the 49ers defense is on a weekly basis. Ditto for Carroll.
“They’re very tough on defense,” Carroll said. “They’re so aggressive in their coverage style. The front guys all make plays, the linebackers are fantastic, the safeties are ridiculous. This is a very, very difficult defense and for two years they’ve been on top of the world here. We respect them in a great way.”
If Sunday’s contest is anything like the Week 7 matchup, the 49ers (10-3-1) and Seahawks (9-5) should be playing in another physical, 60-minute bout. Wilson is still relatively new to the NFC West, but he can sense an extra edge between San Francisco and Seattle.
“I think there’s a definite rivalry between the 49ers and the Seahawks because it’s the NFC West,” Wilson said. “We both are great teams who want to win. It’s all about winning and we have so much respect for one another.”
Tags: Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson
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By Mrpelon14 on Dec 19, 2012 | Reply
Why do you always start your post with(on the phone with so and do)?..it’s annoying
By Clarence on Dec 19, 2012 | Reply
Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll’s comments stink of fear. They know who commands the West. They are boys playing in a mans league. Disgusting.
By Tetsujin on Dec 19, 2012 | Reply
Lighten up Clarence
By WINS 20 OF 26 STARTS UNDER JH....GETS BENCHED on Dec 19, 2012 | Reply
@Clarence…Those are words of too individual’s who are sharing there thoughts and respect for there opponent
By Joe on Dec 19, 2012 | Reply
The hawks are going to win the west for a very long time…
Starting with this season… Roll hawks
By FreshHawks! on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
I can definitely see a Seahawks Loss, ONLY, if it’s played at Candlestick St.; this game is at CentLInk, so don’t think the 49ers can just walk in there and take it from Wilson and the 12th man. 49ers fans should be thankful that Tom Brady choke last week. You guys should win the division only through Arizona Card., that’s if you don’t get too ahead of yourself; the Cards are not gonna let the 9ers walk into their house and have tea. So before you call the hawks “soft”, remember this game 12/23/12 carefully.. It’s another Seahawks’ blow-out.. sea54 – sf21. Plus the hawks don’t need to win the division to win the superbowl. As long as they’re in the playoffs.. Damage will be done!
By Rob on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
@FreshHawks. I hope the Cards show up at their place waiting for the 9ers because the game is at the Stick. Score will be the same anyway. Oh and Brady choked? I get that you like your team but settle it down a bit.
By true9ersfan on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
freshhawks i dont think you know just how hard this 49ers D is to face wilson is good cant take that away from him but he is young an 9ers are explosive with there D it wont be no 50+ point on the board if the 9ers d can stop an shut down tom bradyi’m sure they can do it to rookie QB wilson he will crack under pressure when the smith’s are coming at him an he better not over look his reads because if he does he’ll be throwing interceptions all day because 9ers coverage is awesome
By kaepfan on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
can you hear the fear in carrolls voice i can
By Sione on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
And who did the seahawks blow out? Com’n man get real. It was two of the NFL worst defense. Get ready for a real “D” and don’t forget 9ers beat you at home.
By Hermie on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
The Seachickens can only hope for a Major let down after a hard fought game in NE. They know what is on the line and I don’t think you will see that let down. They have gone into two of the toughest avenues in football to play in (N.O. and N.E.) and came out on top…do not expect it any other way Sunday!!
By Eddie on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
Freshhawks, slow down on Tom Brady choking. He didn’t choke. Did you see the game? He threw for over 400 yards to tie the game. if i recall he threw one interception and the rest of the turnovers came from his RBs/receivers. And please give us credit for what we did in that game, because the 49ers earned that win. i know you are a Seahawks fan, but you need to be realistic. The Seahawks are not going to score 50pts on us. If they do, you can believe we will score 51pts.
. Be Realistic. We are not the bills and whoever you scored 50 pts on. And to think that you truly believed that they are an awesome team. lol! They played very, very well against teams that i bet Notre Dame or Alabama can beat by the same margins. Just saying. 
. It will be a good division game…one that can be won by either team. Go 49ers!
By usul75 on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
Anyone that thinks Wilson is going to choke under the pressure of the 49ers D has obviously not seen this kid play. Choke is not in his vocabulary.
I hope Harbaugh and crew underestimate him and think he will choke, but I know they are smarter than that.
It’s going to be a tough game, both teams have only gotten better since their first meeting at Candlestick.
Hope Kap can handle the noise because it’s gonna be deafening down on the field.
Good luck Frisco, you’re going to need it!
Go Hawks!
By Craig on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
I was born a Seahwks fan but believe me when I say no one is going to blow anyone out in this game…it is going to be a pure brawl. 12th man gives an edge like no other (no disrespect to any 9ers fans) and I do see the Seahwks pulling this one out but it is going to be a CLOSE game and one I think we will all be talking about for a long time.
By claymus1 on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
Not fear….Make no mistake. Hopefully the stage is simply being set for a long term,mutually respectful rivalry between two teams that are going to be very good for a long time!!
By jamroc on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
what are all you d.i.p.s.h.i.t. sea-scag fans doin here?…u should be in your rooms, on your knees in prayer…or into a meat cigar.
By RAMS2013 on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
HA! Whiner fans make me laugh. You are all idiots if you think you will beat the sea Chickens in SEA. LOL get real you couldn’t even beat the Rams in our place OR YOURS LOL
By Montana2Rice4Ever on Dec 20, 2012 | Reply
Hey yo. We’ve beat the Seahawks what, 6 times in a row? By my count, that includes 3 times in Seattle. The 4th time will be this Sunday. No disrespect, it will be a brutal physical game. 27-20 San Fran. Unless the defense is in full beast mode and then it’s more like 30-10. Bank on it!
By Phoebe on Dec 22, 2012 | Reply
Not sure how someone reads fear in those quotes. Carroll and Wilson were displaying their respect for the team that the 49ers are. This will be a great game with two strong teams. But also something to ponder, only two teams have never lost by more than 7 points, the Patriots and Seahawks. With that said, they both lost to the 49ers by 7 points. So Sunday’s game will really show us how much the Seahawks have grown as a team since Week 7. We will also see how much Kaepernick brings to the table. I love both Wilson and Kaepernick, who I believe will have strong careers in the NFL.