I think it's that and that when Stidham is on the field, the other guys know for certain that he is going to do what they practiced for, he's going to play his part, and if they play theirs, the offense will be successful. Russ's style is exciting, and no doubt frustrating if you are a wr who continually sharpens your craft to get open and do, but don't get the ball because the qb couldnt see you or coukdnt get it there. Or, if you're a lineman who blocks your guy long enough and to the spot you're supposed to, only for the play to result in a sack because the qb isn't where he was supposed to be or held the ball too long.
It's a team sport. And when all 11 are playing as a team, you get unity, even in adversity. When you have 1/10 playing his own game, it can be hard. You see the same thing in basketball when you have a player who is all highlight reel material but can't do the simple things like pass the ball. You may win, but after a while, the morale of the team can suffer, especially when you don't win.
Russ is the star player who saw the accolades because he won regardless of his play and how well he played within the system. I think now, even though i'm sure his teammates are pulling for him, they no doubt see him a bit as the superstar garnering the spotlight, but being a major reason the team is playing poorly.
In that atmosphere, the underdog backup who comes in and lights things up will always get his teammates standing up and cheering.
We will see how Russ handles it. It's THE thing the Hawks FO sought to avoid for his sake while he was here - any notion that the guy backing him up could challenge him or gain support in the locker room. You got a glimpse of how Russ took Geno hopping in the spotlight when he got hurt in 21.
Maybe this time will be different.
