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December 21, 2013
The Daily Herald Saturday, 12.21.2013
The Arlington Times / The Marysville Globe
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What makes Russell so good? productivity, but on something beyond his control — his height. Yet where most teams saw 5-foot-10 5/8 as an insurmountable hurdle for an NFL quarterback, the Seahawks saw a player
Despite boasting an impressive college resume, Russell Wilson watched NFL teams pick 74 players ahead of him in the 2012 draft, including a punter. The snub was not based on Wilson’s skills or
with enough going for him to overcome his lack of height. Here’s what has allowed Wilson to transcend his diminutive — by NFL quarterback standards, at least — stature:
HEAD Wilson’s work ethic is legendary. He will out-work, outstudy and out-prepare just about any opponent, and has the intelligence not just to be prepared for a game, but also to know how to keep himself safe on the run, a key element for a mobile quarterback.
EYES Plenty of quarterbacks can buy time with their legs; few are as adept at keeping their eyes downfield as they move, leading to huge plays when the coverage breaks down. Vision is also key for shorter quarterbacks who need to be able to find passing lanes through taller linemen.
ARM Often times undersized quarterback means undersized arm, but that’s not the case with Wilson, who has a powertful arm, even by NFL standards. And, perhaps just as important, that arm is extremely accurate.
Photo by Jennifer Buchanan of The Herald
Seattle’s Byron Maxwell, No. 41, goes up after the ball while defending the New Orleans Saints’ Robert Meachem.
Seattle finds success with late-round picks
HEART No matter how physically talented or intelligent Wilson is, he still had to overcome a lifetime of people telling him he was too small, that he should stick with baseball or move to safety or wide receiver. Wilson’s unwavering belief in his ability to be great is a big reason why he’s become one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
BY JOHN BOYLE Herald Columnist
HANDS Wilson may be undersized for a quarterback, but he actually had the biggest hands of any quarterback at last year’s NFL Scouting Combine. That’s imperative for ball security, especially for a quarterback who plays in a soggy climate.
LEGS Wilson’s weekly Houdini acts don’t just keep him out of harm’s way, they set up some of the Seahawks’ biggest plays. Wilson could thrive as a pocket passer, but his elusiveness and running ability only make Seattle’s offense that much more difficult to defend. Heading into Sunday’s game against Arizona, he ranks second on the team in rushing yards with 508.
WILSON’S 2013 NUMBERS Height................5-10 5⁄8 Weight .................... 206 Age ............................25 Experience ........2nd year Games........................14 Attempts ................. 357 Completions ............ 231 Passing Yards........ 3,077 Touchdowns ...............24 Interceptions ................8 QB rating.............. 105.0
RENTON — Hit on one late-round draft pick and you might have just been fortunate to see something other teams missed. Do it over and over and over again, however, and something else is going on; something very unusual in a sport in which teams invest so much time and so many resources into making sure they get their draft picks right. Yet somehow, despite the value all 32 NFL teams place on scouting, the Seahawks
have repeatedly found lateround steals at cornerback, a position, by the way, that is highly valued in the league, meaning there shouldn’t be many bargains available. Richard Sherman, that All-Pro cornerback who is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate? He was a fifth-round pick in 2011. Byron Maxwell, who is currently starting on the other side of Seattle’s defense, was taken one round later in that same draft, and Jeremy Lane, who is currently the team’s nickel SEE SEAHAWKS, PAGE 15
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Wilson’s arm strength helps him make those impressive throws on the run, but so too does his ability to get his feet in proper position even while evading pressure. Proper footwork within the pocket is essential for any quarterback, but especially for an undersized one who needs to be in the right place to find the right passing lanes.
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