One of Pete Carroll’s hallmarks as a coach is that he wants every player on his team to compete for his job. And Carroll says that’s particularly true at the quarterback position this season in Seattle, where Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson are fighting to start.
When reporters asked Carroll who’s winning between Flynn and Jackson after the team’s workout on Friday, Carroll said the leader will be whoever is competing harder.
“Who said ‘competition’ the most?” Carroll asked. “Whoever said that word the most when they were up here getting interviewed, he’s ahead right now.”
According to Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times, Jackson said some variation of “compete” 10 times while talking to the media, while Flynn only said it five times. So by that standard, Jackson is ahead.
“I’m just here to compete and may the best man win,” Jackson said.
Flynn said he’s getting accustomed to a very different situation than he was in as Aaron Rodgers’ backup with the Packers, where he knew he wasn’t going to win the starting job.
“In Green Bay I kind of had the luxury of kind of sitting back and learning, and being able to take my time in the progression of becoming a better quarterback,” Flynn said. “But I come in here, and now I get to compete and get the opportunity. And that’s what I came here for, and that’s what I’m excited about.”
And both quarterbacks knowing that competition is key is what Carroll is excited about.