He’s short. He doesn’t pass the eye test. Other than that, is there another criticism you can levy at Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson?
Get back to me when you can find another flaw. After the display Wilson presented on Monday Night Football to wrap up week five, I defy you to not say he’s the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL. But don’t take my word for it. Take it from one of his vanquished opponents, Washington UAOPITPNNAIPNTs safety Ryan Clark (via NFL.com): “We got beat by … the best player in the NFL. Russell Wilson made every play he had to make for his team to win, and we didn’t.”
The best player in the NFL right now. That’s high praise. However, for those paying attention, it doesn’t stop there. Before it’s all said and done, Seahawks observers will have to admit Russell Wilson is the best quarterback in franchise history. This is a special time in the team’s 38-year-plus run. Wilson has proven to be a rare talent — the kind that comes around only once in a generation. If then.
The Michael Jordan of latte land
You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him. The Redskins certainly had no answers for Wilson. Apart from the team’s week two stumble in San Diego, Wilson has mastered every defense he’s stared at. Against the UAOPITPNNAIPNTs, Seahawks fans were treated to a performance of the ages. More on that a little later. It’s time to state what has become obvious: The Russell Wilson era is a special one — the best we’ve ever seen.
Just another day at the office
Let’s start with Wilson’s stat line from Monday night: 122 yards rushing. Those yards, earned on 11 carries, represent a franchise record for rushing yards by a Seahawks quarterback. Lest you think the Seahawks have had a bunch of statuesque stumblebums at the quarterback position in their 38-plus years, remember Jim Zorn ran for his life (1504 rushing yards over nine years) in nearly every game as the fledgling Seahawks took flight in the ‘70s.
Perhaps more impressive: Wilson’s rushing total represents the best ever by a quarterback on Monday Night Football — over a run of more than 45 years. All of the great running quarterbacks of recent history have buckled their chinstraps on MNF (Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubach, John Elway, Randall Cunningham, Kordell Stewart, Steve Young, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, et al) with results that pale compared to Wilson.
Definitely more impressive: Wilson added 201 passing yards and two touchdowns to his total, also a MNF first by a quarterback who rushed for 100-plus.
No turnovers, either, by the way. Wilson’s rare feat is really just another day at the office. But what an office.
Back me on this
What makes Wilson stand out even more is how badly the rest of the Seahawks played against the woefully outmanned and even more inept Washington footballers. Without question, the Seahawks would have lost in Washington if it were not for Wilson’s historic night. Dropped interceptions, dropped passes, penalties, missed tackles, blown assignments — you name it. The Seahawks played like an up-and-down squad of rookies — not a championship team seeking to defend their title. Sure, some of the 13 penalties called against the Seahawks were dubious or outright phantom calls. However, most were legit. The Seahawks clearly were not at their peak of preparation and focus on Monday night. Even Marshawn Lynch wasn’t ready to go at the start of the game, giving way to Robert Turbin on the first series.
Except for Wilson. Wilson singlehandedly carried the team on his back throughout the entire 60 minutes. Despite the rest of the squad’s intentions to keep the UAOPITPNNAIPNTs in the game, Wilson made sure the Seahawks’ flight home was a joyful one.
Keep in mind that while Wilson was racking up rushing yards, he did so reluctantly. Wilson with the ball tucked under his arm is not the first choice in head coach Pete Carroll’s simple, clever and effective option offense. Wilson takes what he sees when defenses load up to stop Lynch or Percy hard luck Harvin. Even when Wilson gets the space and the inclination to run, he keeps his eyes downfield on his passing progressions. The result, if you’re a UAOPITPNNAIPNT, is utterly baffling. Right, Ryan Clark?
Understand that Wilson rang up his record amount of rushing yards almost by accident. You gotta be pretty good to do that. As far as running goes, he’s a tourist — one that knows how to avoid the big hit — another knack of his that will serve him well in what will be a long and honored career. The reluctant runner is presently ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing with 209 yards and a touchdown. Naturally, he is the top-ranked rushing quarterback, just ahead of Colin Kaepernick.
The numbers speak for themselves. Wilson currently ranks third in the NFL in passer rating at 112.9, just behind Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers. Wilson’s career passer rating is 102.1 so an argument can be made that despite his lofty status now as an elite quarterback, he is an ascending player. Do not forget that he has never finished an NFL season with lower than 100.0 passer rating (his rookie season). Through four games in 2014 he has one interception against eight touchdowns. It’s hard to find a nit to pick when it comes to Wilson.
To be fair, there was one other Seahawks player who came ready to deliver on Monday night. Almost.
Somebody go check on Percy
When is a touchdown not a touchdown? When Percy Harvin scores it, apparently. Not one, not two, but three Harvin touchdowns were wiped off the board last Monday night due to penalties. Dubious as some of them were, the result was the same: no points for Percy.
I wonder about Harvin’s state of mind at this point. Have three touchdowns stricken from the record in a month and you will get a complex. But three in one game? Has that ever happened before? Harvin may need some therapy. Or at least a hug.
Fortunately for Harvin, he’s got the Seattle franchise’s all-time hero in the huddle with him. That ought to help keep a smile on Harvin’s face. Is Russell Wilson good at hugs? Maybe that’s something he can improve on.
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