Good Read on Russell Wilson

[chrispy]

We can't both be right about Russell's work habits when he first broke into the league.

Maybe...but maybe not.

It's pretty normal for work habits to both remain the same and change as a career progresses. What I mean is that, habitually, a person defines themselves by certain traits. RCW, no doubt, sees himself and portrays himself as a workhorse that puts in more time than anyone else. Working hard and putting in the time gets a lot of results, but eventually it plateaus. So, people attempt to find ways to "work smarter". Nothing above is very controversial and we can all relate. RCW puts in a lot of time and there's no doubt he does it in a different way than he did early on.

Assuming there is both truth in RCWs work ethic and simultaneously his lack of improvement over recent years, there is a reasonable explanation. I'd suggest the most probable is that RCW concentrated, early, on how he personally can improve. I'd suggest that, later, he concentrated on what he does well and how those around him can improve.

I think his outward focus meshes with the current situation and the past several seasons. If his conclusions from his tape study consistently point to blocking or routes or play calling, he'd become consistently more and more dissatisfied. He could easily put in long days and walk out of the facility daily feeling more justified in feelings. In addition, he probably isn't completely wrong. On every play, there are multiple aspects that fall short of perfect. It would be pretty easy to imagine an unsuccessful play being successful if blocking/routes/playcall... had been different as opposed to accepting responsibility.

I'd suggest that his prep time and work ethic has negatively impacted his performance. He watches film by himself, or with Team 3, and only sees others' mistakes. If he'd limit his time to team tape study, where coaches can focus on his personal opportunities (more similar to a young player), he may get beck to personal improvement. But...that doesn't happen in a separate office, separate staff, separate cook, separate trainer....

I'm just speculating, but it's almost a predictable situation given all the information we have.

 

[seatownlowdown]

I just picked up on something else. Former Bronco WR and HOF'er Shannon Sharpe, never one to hold back his feelings (he's the one that got into it with Metcalf last year after the Pittsburgh game), has a scathing 94 second dissertation about Russell on his FS 1 show "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed" with Skip Bayless in which he implied that Russell has his own office at the Broncos' practice facility, and that he's not integrating himself with his teammates.



When it rains, it pours. Piling on is an understatement. I've never seen so many people turn on a player as quickly as they've turned on Russell, unless they've gotten themselves in trouble with the law, etc. The only way to stop all this is for Russell to start playing well and for the Broncos to start winning.

watching that clip makes it conceivable that the broncos players could form a mutiny and force the broncos to start another QB. logistically maybe that's not possible but the angst and resentment definitely seem there.

 

[acer1240]

I really hope the Broncos lose tomorrow and a reporter grows balls enough to ask players if lack of sleep affected their performance. We wouldn't get a good answer but I'd like to see the facial expressions.

 

[RiverDog]

watching that clip makes it conceivable that the broncos players could form a mutiny and force the broncos to start another QB. logistically maybe that's not possible but the angst and resentment definitely seem there.

I haven't heard or seen any evidence of locker room animosity towards Russell or the coaching staff, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The conditions are certainly ripe for it: High preseason expectations not being met, a 3 game losing streak, an eccentric quarterback that is being given preferential treatment and is under performing.

We'll see what happens tomorrow. Their GM and owner recently came out and offered some luke warm support for Hackett and his staff, but an embarrassing loss could change that attitude quickly.

 

[acer1240]

I haven't heard or seen any evidence of locker room animosity towards Russell or the coaching staff, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. The conditions are certainly ripe for it: High preseason expectations not being met, a 3 game losing streak, an eccentric quarterback that is being given preferential treatment and is under performing.

We'll see what happens tomorrow. Their GM and owner recently came out and offered some luke warm support for Hackett and his staff, but an embarrassing loss could change that attitude quickly.

A "vote of confidence" from a GM to a coach is generally a bad sign. I actually think that Hackett is doing a good job keeping this in house. I'm sure some of his players would like to say a few things.

 

[toffee]

watching that clip makes it conceivable that the broncos players could form a mutiny and force the broncos to start another QB. logistically maybe that's not possible but the angst and resentment definitely seem there.

May be Ciara could invite all them players to have dinner in her house, she's a southern gal, she could flex some southern hospitality and charm to help Russ out a bit. All them boys will be in awe with such a mega star cooking for them all.

 

[olyfan63]

Maybe...but maybe not.

It's pretty normal for work habits to both remain the same and change as a career progresses. What I mean is that, habitually, a person defines themselves by certain traits. RCW, no doubt, sees himself and portrays himself as a workhorse that puts in more time than anyone else. Working hard and putting in the time gets a lot of results, but eventually it plateaus. So, people attempt to find ways to "work smarter". Nothing above is very controversial and we can all relate. RCW puts in a lot of time and there's no doubt he does it in a different way than he did early on.

Assuming there is both truth in RCWs work ethic and simultaneously his lack of improvement over recent years, there is a reasonable explanation. I'd suggest the most probable is that RCW concentrated, early, on how he personally can improve. I'd suggest that, later, he concentrated on what he does well and how those around him can improve.

I think his outward focus meshes with the current situation and the past several seasons. If his conclusions from his tape study consistently point to blocking or routes or play calling, he'd become consistently more and more dissatisfied. He could easily put in long days and walk out of the facility daily feeling more justified in feelings. In addition, he probably isn't completely wrong. On every play, there are multiple aspects that fall short of perfect. It would be pretty easy to imagine an unsuccessful play being successful if blocking/routes/playcall... had been different as opposed to accepting responsibility.

I'd suggest that his prep time and work ethic has negatively impacted his performance. He watches film by himself, or with Team 3, and only sees others' mistakes. If he'd limit his time to team tape study, where coaches can focus on his personal opportunities (more similar to a young player), he may get beck to personal improvement. But...that doesn't happen in a separate office, separate staff, separate cook, separate trainer....

I'm just speculating, but it's almost a predictable situation given all the information we have.

As they say, "all models are wrong, but some are useful", and I think your theory is a great model to work with! Russell spending his time focusing on how everyone else can do better to support *him* and what he does well. It's certainly in line with the "Let Russ Cook" campaign he marketed, and regularly throwing the O-Line under the bus. Maybe if he'd spent more time working on reads and progressions...

 

[toffee]

As they say, "all models are wrong, but some are useful", and I think your theory is a great model to work with! Russell spending his time focusing on how everyone else can do better to support *him* and what he does well. It's certainly in line with the "Let Russ Cook" campaign he marketed, and regularly throwing the O-Line under the bus. Maybe if he'd spent more time working on reads and progressions...

He spent 3 hours on the plane watching films and studying plays, that's a lot of work.

 

[acer1240]

He spent 3 hours on the plane watching films and studying plays, that's a lot of work.

Don't forget the unlimited jumping jacks in the isle and his absolute refusal to take time out to take a shit.