Spin Doctor":2r59bypi said:
I'm not parroting any NFL pundit, I just don't value Wilson's services as most of the posters around these parts. He is vastly overrated by most Seahawk fans. He is a good QB no doubt, but I question his ability to stay healthy, and lead an offense over the duration of a season if our defense suffers injuries, or perhaps it begins to be dismantled. There is also the Lynch factor as well. Lynch is getting older, and I honestly do not think he is going to be on the Seahawks much longer. He's having chronic back issues, plus he is nearing the dreaded 30 year old threshold.
The question becomes how good will Wilson be post Lynch, and if the defense takes a step back? I think this is a valid question. I think for at least the first two years we will lose some depth, and a few good players on defense. No longer will we have a historically strong defense backing us up. More burden will be shifted to Wilson, how well will he do with the increased workload? As he stands now, I do not think he will do very well.
It is unquestionable that Wilson has one of the easier jobs in the NFL when compared to his peers. He has one of the most terrifying backs in the NFL, and this causes NFL teams to stack the box. This makes Wilson's life easier, does it not? He also does not bear the same pre-snap responsibilities as guys such as Brady, Manning, Rodgers, or even Luck. Is there to get third downs and make big plays, not to orchestrate the offense. He has excelled in that role, but my question is, can he do more?
My biggest gripe with Wilson is his inability to identify the blitz, and his accuracy and timing on short routes. I think all of these are valid concerns. As a passer he is still very raw, and unrefined, these skills will become important in the future if he ever has to carry the offense. His tendency to rely on his mobility is also going to get him killed. It's fine that he does it now, but what happens if/when he has to put the ball up 530-600 times a year? He is savvy when it comes to avoiding hits, but I noticed when more responsibility is placed on his shoulders during games, he tends to be more reckless. I've seen him take more big hits than most QB's in the league, even though he is good at avoiding hits.
All of these are valid concerns given the offense structure that Wilson plays in now.
Ultimately I would be fine with a heavy incentive laden contract. I actually would really like a contract like the one Tannehill received. Low guaranteed money with a high earning potential depending on how the QB plays.
This post is filled with so many, if, thens, what ifs and could be as to make it more fairy tale than opinion. And its full of all kinds of misinformation and bizarre assumptions.
"His ability to stay healthy . . . " Wilson has missed ZERO games and IIRC ZERO snaps in three years, despite running the read option and getting pressured more than any QB in the league. This is actually where his diminutive stature helps him, making him more compact and stout than other QB's. There is literally no viable reason to believe injuries are a concern with Russell.
"If the defense suffers . . . if it is dismantled . . . if Lynch declines . . . " All of those are valid possibilities, and if all of those things happen, then there would be concern. Just like any other team. If every possible thing that could go wrong does go wrong, then yes, we are in trouble. Way to go out on a limb there. However, the flip side is also true. IF Russell Wilson gets injured or walks to another team, and IF Lynch declines, how far can our defense carry us? IF Russell gets injured or walks and IF the defense gets injured, how far can Lynch alone carry us?
"I do not think he will do very well . . . " Good for you, but Wilson has demonstrated the ability to carry the team in clutch situations over and over again, so I'm not sure what the basis for your thinking is?
"Wilson has an easier job compared to his peers . . . " Sure he does. Running an offense with crappy linemen, average WR's and questionable playcalling from the OC sure makes his job easier. Oh yeah, and making pre-snap read option reads and reading the crashing DE or OLB on the fly is a piece of cake too.
"Does not bear the pre-snap reads . . . " Really? You know this how? Wilson aubibles often, and pretty much half of Lynch's runs are read option runs where Wilson is making reads before and during the play, in addition to normal blitz read responsibilities. And, oh yeah, with his starting center out much of the last two seasons, Russell was also responsible for making line calls. But don't let that get in the way of a good story.
"His inability to identify the blitz . . . " Don't mistake his ability to identify with his line's inability to block.
"His accuracy and timing on short and medium routes . . . raw and unrefined . . . " Again, I have a hard time seeing how a guy with a career completion percentage right in line with or better than guys like Brady, Stafford, Luck, Roethlisburgher, Ryan and Newton is somehow inaccurate, raw or unrefined. As a passer Wilson has demonstrated the ability to throw deep, medium and long passes, with both touch and velocity depending on the situation. There is nothing about Wilson that is raw or unrefined.
"His tendency to rely on his mobility is also going to get him killed . . . if/when he has to put the ball up 530-600 times a year . . . " Two points. First, based on what? His past history of injury? His build? What? Secondly, We will NEVER, I repeat NEVER, ask our QB to throw the ball that much as long as Carroll and Cable are in charge. That has NEVER been their MO and it NEVER will be. When Lynch retires, they will find another way to generate a ground game, whether that is with another bell cow, or RBBC (which he pretty much invented at USC). But one way or another, Pete will find a way to run the ball.
Pete and John went after Russell hard in the draft because they saw that he had what they wanted. A leader whose diverse skill set would open up what they want to do on offense. They want to run the ball, and push the ball downfield. They saw a guy who will work hard, motivate his team, do the right thing on and off the field, and when called upon make the plays that matter to win games. And Wilson has done nothing but fufill their expectation, and probably even exceed them.
It is absolutely, positively ridiculous to me that after three years in which Wilson has broken nearly every passing trend imaginable while running a read-option based offense and leading our team to 3 NFC championship games, 2 Superbowls, and 1 World Championship in 3 years that there are still Seahawk's fans repeating tired old arguments from training camp 2012.
We now have a guy who is "unquestionably" the greatest young QB in the history of the game (look it up the stats, wins and championships!) and is not only the face of the franchise, but the new face of the NFL (look up the ad dollars and jersey sales), and Seahawks fans are calling him average and are willing to move on without him.
