IRVING, Texas -- Danny O’Neil covers the Seahawks for the Seattle Times and he brings you this week’s version of The Other Side.

Archer: How did Russell Wilson win the job in camp? People expected some rookie starters at QB this year, but I don't know if too many had him as one of the guys.

O’Neil: When the Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson in the third round, many assumed he would spend the year developing on the back-burner as the No. 3 quarterback. The Seahawks had signed Matt Flynn and still had Tarvaris Jackson, and they figured to be the two dueling for playing time. Well, it figured that way to everyone but coach Pete Carroll.

No sooner had the rookie minicamp finished than Carroll announced Wilson would be part of the competition, and from that moment forward, Wilson simply put together the best body of work. He had a bad day in practice during training camp, but that was one day. Singular. He was picked off three times, and showed an ability to correct it. He has a bigger arm than Flynn, more mobility and he was clearly more explosive in the exhibition games.

Wilson wasn't given this job, he won it.

TA: Is there any buyer's remorse on Matt Flynn if he's not the starter?

DO: What, doesn't every team want to pay its backup $8 million while starting a rookie? But seriously, there's not necessarily remorse. Seattle wanted to come out of this with a starting quarterback capable of taking the team to the playoffs. If it's Flynn, great. That was money well spent. If it's Wilson, that's fine, too.

Consider the Cardinals: They paid more in a contract for Kevin Kolb (five years, $63 million) than Seattle paid to Matt Flynn (three years, $26 million). Not only that, but the Cardinals gave up a second-round pick and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to get the privilege of playing that money while Seattle chose Wilson with a third-round choice. Seattle certainly appears to have acquired more talent at quarterback for a lesser investment.

TA: The Seahawks finished the year 5-3 after losing to the Cowboys last year and all of the losses were by less than a touchdown. Obviously, they started with a close loss to Arizona in Week 1. How does Pete Carroll get this team over the hump in close games?

DO: Let Wilson mature. This team is built to play to the strengths of a big, physically imposing defense and a punishing ground game. Wilson is the guy they're depending on to be able to pull a game out in the fourth quarter. He came closer in Week 1 than Tarvaris Jackson ever did last year so that time may be coming.

TA: People really like the Seattle secondary, but where does the pass rush come from? How is Bruce Irvin's progress going?

DO: Bruce Irvin has not been the immediate-impact pass rusher the Seahawks predicted when they chose him. Chris Clemons remains this team's best pass rusher. Irvin will get a chance to see if Seattle's home crowd can help give him an advantage in rushing off the edge.

TA: I can't go without asking a Terrell Owens question even if he's not on the roster. How did he look and why didn't the Seahawks keep him?

DO: He was in great shape, still had the speed to get deep, but had two significant drops. He was acquired to provide a veteran alternative in case Sidney Rice wasn't ready when the season began. Rice was ready, and Owens wasn't so impressive the team was willing to carry him as a fourth or fifth wide receiver given the fact he doesn't play special teams.

If Rice were to get hurt again, the Seahawks wouldn't hesitate to bring Owens back.