Morning links: QB’s on the run

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first the half of an NFL football game in Toronto, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

In my story today, the starting quarterbacks in Sunday’s matchup between the Seattle and the San Francisco offer a glimpse into the future.

Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick are both athletic quarterbacks who can beat you with their arm or with their feet.

Not only are they electric playmakers, but they also make prudent decisions and do a good job of taking care of the ball. Those two, along with Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck, point to the growing trend of athletic quarterbacks who have the ability to stress the defense in different ways than in the past.

“It’s evolution,” said Seattle fullback Michael Robinson, who was a dual-threat quarterback at Penn State. “I just think in eight to 10 years, everybody is going to look like Russell Wilson, RG3 (Robert Griffin III) and Andrew Luck. I think the league was afraid of it, to be honest with you. I think the league was afraid of paying a guy so much to take the hits a running back takes.”

Here’s a look at the top quarterback rushers through 14 games

Name	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
Robert Griffin III, Redskins	112	748	6.7	6
Cam Newton, Panthers	108	647	6	7
Russell Wilson, Seahawks	78	402	5.2	3
Colin Kaepernick, 49ers	53	379	7.2	5
Michael Vick, Eagles	57	307	5.4	1
Jake Locker, Titans	32	256	8	1
Aaron Rogers, Packers	50	248	5	1

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com writes that tight end Sean McGrath, recently called up front the practice squad, wanted to play for the Chicago Bears growing in that city as a child. But he gets the next best thing, playing in a regular-season game for the first time on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed tight end Evan Moore, recently released by Seattle.

ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that Richard Sherman will miss another day of practice to be in New York for his appeal hearing. According to the report, the Seahawks expect Sherman to be available for Sunday’s game.

Danny O’Neil of The Seattle Times writes that Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh share similar strategic approaches on the field, and very different personalities off of it.

Dave Wyman of 710 ESPN Seattle says running back Marshawn Lynch is similar to Lofa Tatupu, in that he lets his play do the talking.

Jim Moore of 710 ESPN Seattle takes the Seahawks, 27-21. Moore is 11-3 against the spread in Seahawks games this year.

ESPN’s Mike Sando provides a statistical rundown of the Hawks-49ers matchup here.

Michael Rushton of The NFL Network previews the game here.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes that San Francisco defensive tackle Justin Smith did not practice for a second straight day, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee writes that San Francisco receiver Michael Crabtree is finally living up to lofty expectations.

Doug Kretz of Scouts Inc. takes the Seahawks 20-17 over the 49ers in his scouting report. You must be an ESPN Insider to view this. Kretz: “Seattle’s offensive line has been dominating up front the past couple of games and has been creating huge run lanes for Lynch and the ground game. These blockers are great road-graders who fight for everything they get and refuse to back down. San Francisco’s defensive linemen are also powerful and are great fighters. They are the league’s third-ranked run defense and hold opponents to 3.61 yards per carry.”