Pete Carroll, Seahawks Drawing Inspiration From Robert Griffin III & Redskins

Nov 4, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after the Seahawks scored a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Minnesota 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

The Seattle Seahawks made one of the NFL’s most surprising decisions this offseason when they announced that rookie quarterback Russell Wilson would be the opening day starter. Wilson struggled early in the season but has begun to find his way as the season goes along.

There is one thing to credit for Wilson’s success and that is a decision that head coach Pete Carroll made to install more of the zone-read option into the Seahawks offensive scheme.

Carroll drew the inspiration from watching what Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins did with fellow rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.

“I was impressed with how much they got out of it,” Carroll said.”…They’re way ahead of everybody else in terms of their commitment to a really college style of offense and it’s been very effective,” Carroll said.

Since the change in the offense, Wilson has thrived and thrown for nine touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has also had a passer rating of 96.8 or better in three of the Seahawks past five games. The changes that Carroll brought forth are definitely working.

“It was a good move for me and it’s helped up a little bit,” Carroll said. “I was influenced a little bit more than I thought when I first looked at. You see some of our stuff coming to life and it’s helping us.”