Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, June 30 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Best By 2021: Luck, Newton, or Wilson?
Andrew Luck inked a new six-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, meaning the NFL's young quarterback trio of Luck, the Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton, and Seahawks' Russell Wilson are locked up by their respective clubs for the next several years.
Luck's new deal, which expires in 2021, has sparked conversation at NFL.com, where League analysts are debating how the quarterback pecking order between Luck, Newton, and Wilson will look six years from now.
Among the eight football minds sharing thoughts on the subject, a case is made for each athlete. Here's what a few of them had to say about why Wilson will rank No. 1 in 2021:
Willie McGinest:Â Wilson's consistency, Newton's maturity should keep them on top
I would rank these three players as follows: Russell Wilson, Cam Newton and Andrew Luck. Wilson is the top dog because he is the most consistent one of the three and gives his team an opportunity to score every time he touches the ball. He has played in a pair of Super Bowls, winning one, so he can play well and win in big games. Newton has always had the talent, but he has continually improved his pocket awareness and controlling his accuracy. The 2015 MVP has matured as a quarterback and captain, which has elevated his game. Luck has a lot of upside and potential as a smart and talented quarterback. However, he hasn't shown consistency and has way too many turnovers -- throwing 12 picks in just seven games in 2015. Based on what I've seen from these three quarterbacks so far in their careers, I can't justify putting Luck above Wilson and Newton.
Bucky Brooks:Â Thanks to supporting cast, Luck will keep chasing Wilson, Newton
By 2021, I believe we will rank the Big Three in the following order: 1) Russell Wilson, 2) Cam Newton, 3) Andrew Luck. Since quarterbacks are ultimately judged by rings and wins, I believe Wilson and Newton will continue to rank ahead of Luck due to their superior supporting casts. Wilson has arguably the best defense in football behind him, which alleviates the pressure on him to play at an A-plus level each week. He can simply "manage" the game and rack up wins. Newton is in a similar situation in Carolina, with Luke Kuechly and a core of young defensive talent providing a strong support system. On offense, the Panthers have surrounded Newton with big-bodied pass catchers who can expand the strike zone, along with some speedsters who can enhance Newton's deep-ball ability. With a strong running game and solid offensive line also in place, Newton and the Panthers are positioned to be contenders for the foreseeable future. I don't believe Luck has enough around him to maximize his talents. Although he has pass catchers around him, the Colts' suspect offensive line and non-existent running game places too much responsibility on him to carry the offensive load. With a defense that lacks the firepower to get stops, the Colts' franchise quarterback will post big numbers but rarely achieve the team success needed to be considered the top guy in the class.
Elliot Harrison:Â Wilson's prowess as a passer gives him the slight edge
1) Russell Wilson, 2a) Andrew Luck, 2b) Cam Newton. That's how I see the ranking in 2021. Remember, quarterbacks are judged by winning, and particularly Super Bowls. Personally, I have always gone against that trend. Yet, I think the fact Wilson has already won one Super Bowl, started another and still has the opportunity to start more with that Seahawks nucleus puts him in a unique position. He is also a more efficient passer than Luck or Newton. After all, his career passer rating (101.8) is second only to Aaron Rodgers' (104.1) all time. Choosing between Luck and Newton ... yeesh. I believe Luck will run less, thus limiting his injury risk. Yes, Luck ranks up there with the NFL's elite in athleticism, but the backlash he's received from exposing his body unnecessarily and throwing picks will be the best thing for him. Rein it in more, press less. He still sees the field and has as much command of what's going on as anyone. Let's not forget how good Luck was out of the gate. Expectations are through the roof. We can't be victims of the moment with him, or Newton, for that matter. Newton earned that 2015 MVP. It wasn't close. But a big part of his game is still running, specifically in the red zone. QBs take off less as they age. While he was fantastic last year, I think we need to see more before saying he's a better passer than Wilson or Luck. Questions abound regarding his leadership post- Super Bowl, but I think Newton will move past that noise. The question for me is whether his passing effectiveness will bely the gradual decline in his running effectiveness.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from NFL Canada, which shares video of Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and Ring of Honor member Jim Zorn tossing passes to tight end Luke Willson ... on a boat.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle catches up with Doug Baldwin one day after the wideout signed a four-year extension with the club.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and quarterback Russell Wilson were both unveiled in the Top 20 of NFL Network's countdown of the Top 100 Players of 2016 last night.
Seahawks owner Paul Allen donated $1 million to build housing units for Seattle-area homeless.Â
Jayson Jenks at the Seattle Times deciphers which three positions are the deepest on Seattle's roster.
Dave Boling at the Tacoma News Tribune wonders if Doug Baldwin has what it takes to have a Steve-Largent type career with the Seahawks.
Brady Henderson at 710Sports.com continues to look at the 25 most intriguing Seahawks heading into training camp, highlighting receiver Paul Richardson at No. 23.Â
710Sports.com also shares highlights from Danny O'Neil's latest 'Hawk Talk' chat with fans.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com looks at how quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck stack up through their first four NFL seasons.Â
Gregg Rosenthal at NFL.com ranks the Top 12 defensive lines in the League and puts Seattle at No. 8.Â
A look back at some of the best moments from the Seahawks career of wide receiver Doug Baldwin.
Before the team returned to the field, receiver Doug Baldwin gave an impassioned speech to his teammates.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin points skyward after his 16-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson gave Seattle a 7-3 lead.
Receiver Doug Baldwin's fakes left Green Bay's Micah Hyde grasping at air.
Doug Baldwin congratulates his college and pro teammate Richard Sherman after an interception, the first of two by Sherman on the afternoon.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin boards the team charter on Friday afternoon as a sign supports the team as they head to New York for the game against the Giants.
Receiver Doug Baldwin exhorts the crowd as players returned to the field.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin heads upfield and applies a stiff-arm to Pittsburgh's Anton Blake on his way to an 80-yard touchdown that sealed Seattle's victory.
Doug Baldwin strikes a pose after scoring Seattle's first touchdown on a pass from Russell Wilson.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin leaps high to snare a touchdown pass from Russell Wilson, giving Seattle a 17-13 lead in the third quarter.
Jan. 10, 2016; Minneapolis, Minn.
Receiver Doug Baldwin puts a stiff-arm to the face of Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson near the end of a 49-yard reception. Baldwin's seven catches led all receivers.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin outraces Cleveland's Johnson Bademosi to the end zone for his second touchdown of the game and his tenth touchdown in four games.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin is knocked out of bounds at the San Francisco two-yard line, setting up a Thomas Rawls touchdown in the first quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates his first touchdown of the game with Seahawks mascot "Blitz".
Head coach Pete Carroll and receiver Doug Baldwins are the final Seahawks leave the field after pregame warmups.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin sprints away from a Saints defender on a 52-yard pass play from Russell Wilson to set up a field goal.
Receiver Doug Baldwin heads upfield after catching a pass over the middle. Eight different Seahawks had receptions during the victory.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin and quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate after they combined on the game's only touchdown with just under 12 minutes left in the game.
Receiver Doug Baldwin looks for first down yardage in the second quarter. Baldwin led Seattle's receivers with 50 yards on four catches.
Seattle's offense began to come alive as receiver Doug Baldwin, as he did in the playoff game in Minnesota, leapt high to snag a pass for a first down.
Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin came across the middle, leapt high and snagged this pass from Russell Wilson with one hand and completed the catch in the third quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin points skyward after scoring his third touchdown of the game, this one on a 16-yard reception from quarterback Russell Wilson.
Receiver Doug Baldwin addresses the team at the end of halftime just before the players returned to the field.
Head coach Pete Carroll congratulates receiver Doug Baldwin after the first of Baldwin's three touchdowns on the day.
Doug Baldwin got behind Green Bay cornerback Casey Hayward and his 35-yard reception put the Seahawks into scoring position at the Packers' 35-yard line.
Receiver Doug Baldwin looks for room to run. Baldwin led all receivers with six catches for 61 yards.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin races untouched towards the end zone with this second TD reception of the game, his fifth touchdown in the past two games.
