Would better pass protection make Russell Wilson better?

[JSeahawks]

With 99% of the QB's in the league I would say that the answer to this question is obvious: Of course better pass protection would make the QB better. With Russell Wilson i'm going to go against logic and say that it would actually hurt RW's game. I think he's better off behind our current o'line, with their constant break downs in protection, then he would be behind an o'line that provided a consistent 5 or 6 seconds to stand in the pocket and survey the field.

I know most of us don't want to believe it, but I do believe that his game is impacted by his lack of height. You especially see it in the lack of ability to have a quick passing game over the middle. He seems to be much better when he's moving around in the pocket creating angles to see through, or moving out of the pocket all together. In this way I think the o'line break downs help Russell's game as long as he's nimble enough to avoid the rushers because it creates new angles for him rather then just sitting stationary in a perfect pocket. It also gets him out into the field where he's a threat to run so maybe the LB's or DB's will break off coverage to try and support against the run, further opening up passing lanes.

Maybe, just maybe, Tom Cable is a genius in trying to find run blocking beasts who are a bit more weak in their pass protection.

Thoughts? Am I right? Am I an idiot? Am I right in this instance, but an idiot anyway?

(btw, i'm not saying this as a negative on RW. I would not trade him for any QB in the league right now)

 

[BigMeach]

I thought he played behind a huge dominant oline at Wisconsin and had a dominant passing game from the pocket though.

 

[RolandDeschain]

Nothing personal, and I totally get what you're saying, but I'm going to facepalm on this one. DangeRuss could still run all over the place with great pass protection at will if he wanted to.

Plus, I honestly think the lack of passing game over the middle has more to do with other factors than Wilson's height.

 

[JSeahawks]

I thought he played behind a huge dominant oline at Wisconsin and had a dominant passing game from the pocket though.

He did. But this isn't college anymore.

 

[Crizilla]

All Offensive line coaches from high school to college to pros would laugh at this. I mean, getting to the quarter back is the best thing you can do as a defense. Talk about destroying your offense by purposely forming a bad O-line.

But I do agree his height changes the way he has to play. That's pretty obvious. Lots of people jumped the gun though and said he couldnt do it. Obviously they were wrong. 16-6, beeyatches.

 

[IBleedBlueAndGreen]

Good question.

Let me ask you this:

Would you be able to buy more stuff if you had more money?

 

[JSeahawks]

Good question.

Let me ask you this:

Would you be able to buy more stuff if you had more money?

I have no money and still buy whatever I want.

Credit cards for the win!

 

[Zowert]

Good question.

Let me ask you this:

Would you be able to buy more stuff if you had more money?

I have no money and still buy whatever I want.

Credit cards for the win!

LOL! Win!

 

[DavidSeven]

I feel like no pocket is so pristine that it would allow a QB to just stand there virtually motionless for 5-6 seconds. Even the best O-line in the league would give Russell ample opportunity to dance around and look through various lanes.

So yes, I'll go with the obvious answer. More protection is better. Our O-line held up fairly well in protection during our explosive run last season. I don't think that's a coincidence. Nor do I think it's a coincidence that our pass-pro has looked exponentially worse once Sweezy started playing full-games, but that's another topic...

 

[Coug_Hawk08]

I dont even see how there is an argument here. Of course Russell would benefit from better pass protection. 5-6 seconds in the pocket would the kiss of death for any defense. It would effectively mean 0 sacks.

Russell is excellent inside and outside of the pocket. And just because you have excellent pass pro, doesnt mean you have to just stand in the middle. We could still roll out, and if russell is not getting sacked on rolls out, its over.

 

[BigMeach]

I thought he played behind a huge dominant oline at Wisconsin and had a dominant passing game from the pocket though.

He did. But this isn't college anymore.

Obviously. But what else would you draw from? Russell has done better in the games we have protected him better in the NFl, that would be the only other thing to draw from.

There is no way having terrible pass pro is a good thing for RW.

 

[hawk45]

Russell's very best deep balls, pinpoint accuracy and touch, have come from either a solid pocket, or blocking good enough that even if he did shift run a few steps outside the pocket, he had ample time to set, scan the field, and let fly. I have to go back to last year to find examples of this, because this year he seldom has had those circumstances. RW is able to function as a QB with bad pass protection, but not as a passer. He had poor passing production against Carolina, San Fran, and Houston. I would say that pretty much answers the question. In Carolina, it was only when protection went from "OHMYGODTHATSAWFUL" to "perhaps RW may survive" in the 2nd half that he was able to do anything. In Houston it never got better, even a little, so how RW managed even 1 decent drive with heroic dashes is still mystifying the nation.

I would say that Russell's ability to scramble saves Cable's butt is what I would say. I think Pete and JS let Cable have his bargain bin approach to the line out of tolerance, and acceptance of the fact that the money we don't spend there can be spent elsewhere. But I don't doubt for a second that if they could have pass protection for free they'd do it.

 

[JSeahawks]

Hmm, so early indications would confirm that I am, indeed, an idiot.

 

[ClumsyLurk]

Hmm, so early indications would confirm that I am, indeed, an idiot.

Just too much kool-aid today bro. No worries

 

[Mojambo]

I think the lack of a quick passing game has way more to do with our absolutely atrocious guard play. Pressure is coming up the middle way too quick forcing Russ to break contain. All of this benefits improvisation, but kills the rhythm necessary for quick passing.

We'll do more quick passing when/if the guards start actually pass protecting.

 

[kearly]

The pocket collapsing in his face is definitely a hindrance to Wilson. Not only does it make his height a negative factor, but it often eliminates his escape routes to scramble through. Wilson doesn't need stellar protection, but if he had it, he'd be a much better QB, IMO.

 

[Scottemojo]

Peyton Manning gets rid of the ball in a flash. He has lost several linemen, and his offense is thriving.

Russell has lost several linemen as well, does not get rid of the ball quickly, and the offense is struggling.

So the answer is yes. Water is also wet.

 

[pocketprotector]

We need to do away with this myth that Russell can not hit quick routes over the middle because of his height.

Also, the idea that Wilson is better behind a bad offensive line is laughable.... at best.

 

[pehawk]

Jseahawks deserves a thrashing for this, really.

May I point out he watches musicals?

 

[Snohomie]

Scott's point is a good one (QB dictates OL pass protection... a lot).

I think J's question is a little less crazy if you rephrase/repurpose it to be:

Is RW better when defenders are slipping blockers early in the play and getting "free" looks at the QB, or when defenders are disciplined in their rush (even if it takes longer to get to the QB)? Most QBs are unquestionably better (especially better throwers) with the 2nd option.

I'm not sure that is true for RW...