Carroll: Wilson can do a better job avoiding sacks

Opting against any significant moves to address the offensive line in the offseason once again left the Seattle Seahawks with an underwhelming front heading into training camp.

Concerns have yet to subside, with pass protection remaining an issue through two preseason games. But the staff isn't pointing solely to the play of their big five. Head coach Pete Caroll said following Thursday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings that Russell Wilson has to do his part, too.

"I know that you are looking at the sack numbers and thinking 'oh geez, what's that mean?"' Carroll said, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. "We really, we need to get the ball out. We need to throw the ball away and get rid of it so we don’t take the big plays (losses). … Russ can do a better job to help us there when we get stuck.

"Sometimes we try really hard to get out to try to make a bigger play when the pressure eventually gets there. But on rhythm, we were fine a few times. We need to get the ball out and stay quick with it like we want to and not let the rush get to us. When you don't, then you suffer negative stuff that makes it hard to get going."

A bona fide elite athlete at the position, Wilson's ability to escape the pocket is matched by few players in history. Finding a way to save yards when such an exit isn't available, as Carroll describes, could conceivably be what takes Seattle's offense to the next level.

Wilson took four of the the Seahawks' six sacks Thursday night before Minnesot got to Trevone Boykin for another two. The offense will have another two exhibition contests to make improvements in that area before the regular season gets underway.