Seahawks QB: Cards defense has ‘some elite players’

September 5, 2012: Behind Enemy Lines

Russell Wilson is one of five rookie quarterbacks to start Week 1. He’ll be the third straight first-year player to line up under center in a season opener against the Cardinals, following Sam Bradford (Rams ’10) and Cam Newton (Panthers ’11).

Wilson spoke to those of us in the local media on a conference call earlier:

on Cardinals defense

Oh man, they fly around. Obviously they have some elite players on the defensive side of the ball, on the defensive line to the linebackers to the defensive backs. They have a lot of experience. They can make plays. More than anything, they change it up a little bit so you have to be smart and just trust what you see and play great football.

on Cardinals defense trying to confuse him

I definitely know that it’s something that they do and I have to be prepared for that and just trust in the process of this entire week and learn as much as I can and play as much as I can and have a full grasp of understanding what they are trying to do.

on being aware of 6-8 Calais Campbell on defensive line

I think you have to be aware of it, but don’t make too much of it. You throw through the lanes. You make smart decisions. I think that you don’t necessarily throw over anybody like that. I think that more than anything, it’s just playing football. The offensive line is going to do a good job of being strong in there and I think that’s the key.

on if there is more pressure being on the road for his first start

I don’t look at it like that at all. Like I said earlier, a hundred yards is a hundred yards. You have to be ready to play no matter where it is or who it is. I’m excited about the opportunity to have my first start. It’s going to be a great team we are playing against. They have a lot of talent all across the board so it’s going to be exciting.

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