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IN LIKE FLYNN

Eleven years ago, a third-year coach of a Seattle Seahawks team desperately searching for a franchise quarterback secured the services of a young backup signal caller named Matt from Green Bay, just when everybody thought he would be going to the Dolphins. Pete Carroll can only hope that Matt Flynn works out as well for him as Matt Hasselbeck did for Mike Holmgren.

The past week has been a frustrating one for Seahawks fans anxiously hoping for an upgrade at the game’s most important position. After being snubbed by Peyton Manning, Carroll and GM John Schneider took their time. A visit was scheduled with Chad Henne, who ended up signing with Jacksonville. And when the Seahawks finally invited Flynn for a visit—the quarterback that many pundits and fans alike thought would be a natural fit in Seattle—it didn’t really seem that Carroll and Schneider were all that interested. Flynn left Seattle without a contract offer and flew to Miami, where most people assumed he would end up signing once it became clear that the Dolphins weren’t getting Peyton Manning either. Maybe Flynn figured he was destined to wear aqua and orange, too. We’ll probably never know.

What we do know is that Flynn’s trip to Seattle was an eye-opening one for both sides. Flynn admitted to hitting it off with Carroll, Schneider, and the rest of the staff he was able to meet. Carroll and Schneider, in turn, were impressed with the young man’s football knowledge after watching Flynn dissect plays on a whiteboard. Regardless of how either side felt prior to their meeting, both sides separated with a great deal of respect for each other. And once Miami low-balled Flynn in the expectation that he would take less money to play for his old college coach, it was only a matter of time before the Seahawks got their man.

Not only did they get their man, but they got him relatively cheap as well: 3 years, $10 million guaranteed, $19 million total that could increase to $24-$26 million with incentives. As ESPN.com’s Mike Sando pointed out, the Arizona Cardinals have paid Kevin Kolb more money in eight months than Seattle will pay Flynn over the course of his contract. (Not to mention the second round pick and cornerback that Arizona traded to Philadelphia for Kolb’s rights on top of that.) Unlike the Cardinals, who on Friday had to pay Kolb $7 million just to keep him on the roster, Seattle can afford to be flexible with Flynn. If he works out, they can always extend his contract. If he doesn’t, or if the Seahawks get a shot at Matt Barkley or some other “can’t miss” quarterback, they can move on to somebody else.

More than anything, it’s the way this deal went down that makes it such a good move for the Seahawks. They didn’t panic when Washington traded up for Robert Griffin III or when Manning decided not to grace them with his presence. They didn’t throw more money at Flynn than he deserved just to keep him from visiting other teams. Nor did they fly him out in a seaplane and try to impress him with bells and whistles. They talked with Flynn, worked with him, and let the opportunity he has here sell itself for a fair price. Flynn may not have been Seattle’s first choice and vice versa, but both sides are clearly excited about where they ended up this Sunday.

Seattle’s front office has done a good job of keeping the players they couldn’t afford to lose. They bolstered the interior pass rush by signing DT Jason Jones to a one-year “prove it” contract. But Flynn’s signing is clearly its best move yet, and is yet another sign that this team is moving in the right direction. The Seattle Seahawks have quietly gotten better over the past several days while other teams and free agents hogged the limelight. Will it be enough in a division that is getting better across the board? Maybe, maybe not. But if nothing else, it’s a good start.

Congratulations to Pete Carroll and John Schneider for a job well done this week. Keep up the good work.

Random Thoughts on the First Week of Free Agency

• Peyton Manning has been more evasive in one week of free agency than he has ever been on the field. Make a decision already!

• In the end, Red Bryant could have made more money elsewhere, but the best fit for him was right here in Seattle. Thankfully, both sides knew that and were able to get the deal done.

• At the time of this writing on Sunday night, the Miami Dolphins were offering $8 million a year to free agent quarterback Alex Smith. Looking for a contrast to the coolness under fire displayed by Seattle’s front office? The desperation in Miami right now is Exhibit A.

• Mario Manningham will make a bigger impact for the San Francisco 49ers than Randy Moss ever will. Manningham may not have Moss’ physical talents, but he’s not the type to quit on his team like Moss has done (and surely will do again if the Niners get off to a slow start in 2012.)

• David Hawthorne will likely sign elsewhere as the Seahawks front office has not spoken to him since the start of free agency, but don’t be surprised if Leroy Hill ends up signing a one-year deal with Seattle at some point this offseason. Hill’s off-the-field issues are troubling even if the latest charges against him were dismissed, but he’s still a risk worth taking at the right price.