NFC Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

“It’s all in or nothing for me,” Kirk said. “It’s an exciting opportunity. (The contract) is one of those things where I feel grateful, and I don’t take it lightly that I’ve made it to this point. I leave it at that. It’s crazy to think about it, but it’s all-in or nothing.”

Rams

Rams QB Matthew Stafford acknowledged how much he still has to learn after changing teams this offseason. Stafford also said that he knows he can’t rush developing chemistry with his new team.

• On new WR DeSean Jackson, Stafford thinks he still has something left in the tank: “(DeSean Jackson) can still run, I know that. He can still go.” (Rams.com)

Seahawks

One of the bones Seahawks QB Russell Wilson had to pick with the team earlier this offseason is that he wasn’t as involved in personnel decisions that other quarterbacks, namely Tom Brady, had been for their teams. Wilson wanted more input on the players the team added on offense around him. Seahawks HC Pete Carroll, however, sought to clarify that he does value Wilson’s input and consults him just like he has other veteran leaders in the past — to a point. 

“I’ve always been talking to players,” Carroll said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “There’s been guys over the years that I’ve had with me in my office, or I’ve called them on the phone, now we do our texting, they’ve got information, they’ve got special knowledge, I’ve never hesitated to do that. Russ having been here for 10 years now, he’s been around us a long time, and he’s got good perspective, as does Bobby Wagner. We’re fortunate to have Duane Brown. They have opinions that, I don’t have to act on the information, but I want to access the information. I’m O.K. with that. I’ve always been talking to guys. 

“So how much does he have now? He doesn’t have more than he’s ever had. I’ve respected the heck out of Russ for all of the reasons he’s proven he’s worthy. And so when I get a chance to get something from him that can help me out, I’m going to him. I don’t hesitate to. And I’ll do that with any of our guys. Doug Baldwin was a guy, Richard Sherman was a guy, I would talk to those guys about scheme, personnel, situations, social issues, I mean, you name it. That’s the kind of program we run around here. I don’t think it should be overplayed, and I don’t think it should be misstated either. Russ has a lot of good information, so I go to him when I think it’s appropriate.”

• Per GoLongTD’s Tyler Dunne, a factor in Wilson’s motivation to leave Seattle was his desire to be an owner of a sports team in the future, which is why the Cowboys, Raiders and Bears were on his trade wish list as teams with influential owners or in major markets. 
• Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times points out Wilson is a part-owner of the Seattle Sounders in MLS and is affiliated with groups trying to bring a MLB team to Portland and the Sonics back to Seattle. 
• He also told Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban on his podcast last year he’d love to own the Seahawks someday: “I’m fired up to get there. I would love to own the Seattle Seahawks one day. The city is so special. … That would be one of my biggest goals in life.”
• Dunne also reported Seahawks GM John Schneider was willing to pull the trigger on a trade to send Wilson to the Bears but Carroll killed the deal. Wilson also didn’t want to push too hard and tarnish his image.