Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was on the Vikings coaching staff from 1985-1989, and during that stretch became quite close with Bud Grant. Carroll would rarely make a move without consulting with Grant. They still confer on a regular basis.
One of the things that Carroll consulted with Grant on was the drafting of current Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, asking Grant whether Wilson, who is listed at 5-foot-10, could be an NFL quarterback.
Well if there was any doubt about the height problem, Grant reminded Carroll that a quarterback named Fran Tarkenton was 5-10 and he did pretty well.
Apparently that word from Grant relieved Carroll of any doubt about taking Wilson in the third round.
And what a pick that has been. Wilson continued his perfect record against Minnesota football teams with the Seahawks 41-20 win over the Vikings on Sunday. Wilson has now beaten the Vikings twice and the Gophers once, a 42-13 trouncing when he was at Wisconsin in 2011.
