 | Pete Carroll goes bold with Seattle�s quarterback move |
Sam Farmer
The move says a lot about quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, and even more about Pete Carroll.
The Seattle Seahawks on Thursday gave up a lot to San Diego to acquire Whitehurst, a Chargers third-stringer who has not attempted a regular-season pass in four NFL seasons.
Carroll must see something that others don't, because the Seahawks paid a hefty sum to get their man. They agreed to swap positions with San Diego in the second round — an especially pricey move in a talent-rich draft — giving up their No. 40 for the Chargers' No. 60. The Seahawks also gave San Diego their third-round pick in next year's draft.
What's more, the Seahawks are opening their wallet wide for Whitehurst, signing him to a two-year deal worth more than $4 million per season. That's almost in the neighborhood of Matt Hasselbeck, their starter since 2001, who's due to make $5.75 million this season.
So what does that say about Carroll? Well, for one, that he isn't going to play it safe. This is his first signature move, and it's a risky one. Whitehurst, a third-round pick from Clemson in 2006, has career totals of five touchdowns and seven interceptions — all in exhibition games — and was unable to beat out Billy Volek as backup to Philip Rivers.
The way it sounds now, Hasselbeck is the starter. But with the money the Seahawks are paying Whitehurst, that depth chart is at best wet cement.
"It's clear to us that Matt has paid his dues," Carroll told reporters Thursday. "And he's done a great job in the program … [but] we're trying to make it as competitive as possible.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-farmer-seahawks-20100319,0,6067244.story
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