Let me preface this column by saying congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on advancing to the Super Bowl for the second straight year. It’s nice to see a team with three State graduates, including quarterback Russell Wilson, succeeding on the highest level.
With that being said, it is insane to give Wilson credit for his team’s win Sunday. While Seattle’s overtime drive was orchestrated perfectly by the former State quarterback, we can’t overlook the multitude of miscues by the Packers that led to that final possession.
As time passes, Wilson’s game-winning touchdown will shine through, while the efforts of Seattle’s defense, running back and special teams will likely fade away. The fact that Wilson had four interceptions and the lowest QBR of any winning quarterback in a playoff game will be morphed into a testament to the young quarterback’s resilience.
Yes, this was one bad game in Wilson’s otherwise successful season, but that is not my point. Wilson is one of those rare quarterbacks that garners all of the glory during the high points but isn’t forced to shoulder the blame when things go south. That is why people are so quick to bring up the word “elite.”
Granted not a lot of things have gone wrong during Wilson’s three years with Seattle. Chalk that up to the system. As much as you don’t like him, Pete Carroll is a winner and the best coach in the NFL, and the Seattle defense can run with anyone. There is a reason that this team is 57-32 since signing Carroll as head coach.
Wilson is a good quarterback, maybe even a great quarterback. But elite? It’s a stretch.
Elite is not a quarterback that ranks 12th in total QBR during the past two seasons. Elite is not 20 passing touchdowns in a season, including four games without a touchdown in the air. Elite is not ranking 27th in passing offense while banking on the league’s best running game.
Look at two quarterbacks that are unanimously elite: Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The two were in the top four in total QBR during the regular season and threw 33 or more touchdowns, all while completing over 64 percent of their passes and sporting rushing offenses outside the top 10.
I hesitate to use the term “system quarterback” because Wilson is so much more than that. But the next time that you see Seattle earn a stunning victory, just remember who is working behind the scenes to earn the W while Wilson is lauded as an elite.
Check out staff writer Michael McLamb’s rebuttal at http://www.technicianonline.com/sports/article_b5742748-a12a-11e4-89ff-fb94e2a5793d.html
