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NFL: Wilson-mania Will Cost Coach Carroll 
Posted on August 26, 2012 at 01:16 AM.
Full disclosure: My intention is to secure a position here at Operation Sports primarily covering either Madden, FIFA or NCAA Football. I am a free-lance sport journalist here in Australia and this is the first step towards a career in an industry I am passionate about. Thank you for reading and your support. You can follow me on twitter: ImaGamer_O

NFL: Wilson-mania Will Cost Coach Carroll

Russell Wilson has captured the hearts of Seattle Seahawks fans and he may just win the QB battle over prized free-agent signing Matt Flynn. This will go down as a mistake if Coach Carroll gambles on the 5’10” (he is listed at 5’11” though that is said to be generous) former Wisconsin QB.

For the record, I believe Wilson is a “baller” who can be a capable backup QB in the NFL who may rally a team if your starter went down injured. Wilson brings a skill set to the table that had NFL scouts wanting to roll the dice on this kid as developmental project. It provoked Carroll to come out in the preseason and state that Wilson would compete for the start with Jackson and Flynn.

The ego of Peter Carroll is telling him to prove to the naysayers that he can win with a QB who bucks the trend. The ego of Peter Carroll is yet again going to get him in to trouble. What is the game plan for Carroll? Does he come across as a Head Coach with a plan? Hardly. Whether it be throwing money at a prized free agent (Flynn) that may be sitting on the bench come week one or the questionable signings of a couple aging free agent Wide Receivers, you have to wonder where the head of Carroll is at. It would appear to this fan that Carroll makes it up as he goes preferring the media spot light as much as any coach outside of New York.

When the Seattle Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson in the third round he became the highest draft pick for an under 6’ QB in the last 15 years. This says something for the talent of the guy though it also tells you that QB’s less than 6’ are rare breeds that have had little success in the NFL. Doug Flutie had some success in Buffalo and San Diego in recent times, though the success stories are few and far between. That cannot be argued.

Drew Brees is a 6’0” QB who has become the case FOR Russell Wilson, why? You’re talking about a once in a generation QB that is an exception to the rule. Brees is a special, special player that will be a first ballot Hall Of Famer. Does anyone honestly believe Russell Wilson is a Drew Brees waiting to happen despite being an inch or two smaller? I don’t think so though I hope he can prove me wrong.

I love what Wilson has done in opportunities presented this preseason though I am adamant that the hype being created is only due to the fact we have football starved fans looking for a reason to discuss football. Wilson passes the “eye test” though common sense and my football IQ tells me this is only going to end badly for those heralding Wilson as “they guy who will buck the trend for the smaller QB!”

Matt Flynn is the guy who can have this Seattle Seahawks team challenge for the NFC West and preseason favourites - the Harbaugh led San Francisco 49ers. Flynn, like Wilson, is an unproven commodity though in limited opportunities he has shown he is more than capable of stepping to the plate. The six touchdown performance against the Detroit Lions was his breakout performance that should ensure he gets the first opportunity for Seattle.

I watch sport to be proven wrong, not right and I hope Wilson serves me up some humble pie. I just don't think we are witnessing a QB who can prove history and the law of averages wrong in bucking the trend that a 5'10" QB can be a long term starter in the NFL. Wilson's small frame will cop a pounding in the NFL and like Michael Vick, I think you will see a guy who sees a lot of time injured if he is indeed deemed a starting QB.

Coach Pete Carroll will cut short his NFL coaching career if he goes with Russell Wilson this season. Seattle are a team on the rise who can challenge for the NFC West title with Matt Flynn leading the offense. Flynn may not feature on the highlight reel as much as Wilson though he will give you solid numbers and veteran leadership. Let's not ignore the fact that he has been learning the trade from the game's best in Aaron Rodgers and his frame will withstand the week to week punishment dished out by the NFL's QB hungry defenders.

Over to you Coach.
Comments
# 1 KingOfGamesNYC @ Aug 26
u know i have to admit, this is by far one of the most biased blogs i have read. i mean u keep saying flynn this flynn that, BUT look at the numbers, This is NOT the packers (which by the way the last time flynn had a great game he was on the packers lol). With this team SPECIFIC Wilson is the best fit 4 now & the future. the seahawks O line so they need a atheism at the qb position. Wilson has a stronger arm, & is playing better. Dont let those games fool u. LOL flynn may possibly be a matt casslle
 
# 2 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
Biased? How? I have no bias towards Matt Flynn. I only state he is the better option for Seattle and will not be handicapped by a small frame. Choosing to ignore what Flynn did in the NFL regular season versus Detroit is foolish even more so than those betting Wilson will "buck the trend"if only because of his preseason so far.
 
# 3 Pheebers @ Aug 26
I wholeheartedly believe that Russell Wilson will be one of those rare breeds of smaller QBs that will excel in the NFL. Not only does he possess a lot of the needed intangibles, but he has the right skills. He is a great decision maker. He knows where he is lacking and he compensates as needed. All players have weaknesses or "short"comings that they cannot change, but instead have to learn how to adapt their play in spite of it. Russell is not doing this for the first time. We have to remember that he played a West Coast style offense when he was with N.C. State. He became the first ever freshman to be the first-team quarterback for the ACC. He broke the all-time NCAA record for the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception. I could say more, but there is a lot of accomplishments under his belt that has prepared Wilson for such a time as this. If Flynn starts, he deserves it as well and I won't be mad about it, but I just find Russell Wilson more dynamic and at the time being (especially with Flynn's injury) more productive.
 
# 4 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
Nice post Pheebers. Appreciated.

As I've said, Russell is a "gamer" and there is no doubt he being a talented young QB. No GM would allow a Head Coach to draft him in Round 3 at 5'10" if they didn't think he had talent worth gambling on.

Russell IS doing this for the first time in the NFL against some of the best athletes in the world. Once it's "game on" it is yet another step up and NFL defensive coordinators will have enough on Wilson to nullify any impact that makes up for his small frame.
 
# 5 Pheebers @ Aug 26
Definitely it is the first time he is playing in the NFL. I should've written it more clearly. What I meant is that he is use to a West Coast offense, therefore, the transition from college play to the NFL is easier than those that came out of colleges that emphasized read option. Wilson is not only athletic, but he is also an intellectual. He doesn't get stagnant. He is known for consistently going back to film and making necessary modifications to his game plan. He works like a beast. He is hungry. Right now being in the preseason, it is almost a moot point. It is better to really assess things once he has played games in the regular season when all gloves are off. For me, watching his calm demeanor and his methodical preparation, I feel very at ease at his capabilities to rise up to the challenge and to show people that he is one of the exceptions to the rule.
 
# 6 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
We will agree to disagree for the most part Pheebers.

I don't doubt that he isn't use to the West Coast offense, nor the fact he has a good football IQ, is athletic and is hungry. Plenty before him facing the same problem (height and a small frame) have come before him with similar or better traits and have failed. I see Wilson unfortunately joining the list.

Nice to meet you.
 
# 7 Pheebers @ Aug 26
Thanks for the conversation. It is always just best to agree to disagree when both sides feel passionate about their own sides. BTW, just wondering, what would he need to do, in your eyes, in order for you to finally say that perhaps he is an exception?
 
# 8 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
Stay healthy, win and produce consistent results at QB. Same as any QB. I am not judging him differently if only pointing out that his small frame and height will not allow him to reach the ceiling his talent suggests.
 
# 9 Pheebers @ Aug 26
Well, fantastic then. We shall see if or how this conversation has changed as the season progresses.
 
# 10 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
To be fair, we will know more by the end of his second and third years as we will with my Colts QB Andrew Luck and Washington's Robert Griffin III.
 
# 11 kingsquonk @ Aug 26
Look we all have opinions and none of us can predict the future, but there is so much weong with this post

1) Russell Wilson was never a "Development Project". He was viewed coming into this draft as one of the most complete quarterbacks. He played in a pro-style offense, has an extremely high FB IQ, and holds numerous NCAA records based on efficiency not quantity. Had Wilson been taller, the experts projected him as an early first round draft pick.

2) Wilson and Brees share many similarities in their careers. Pro Style offense backgrounds in college, high efficiency, playing against big time conference competition, high football iq's. Whether Wilson reaches Brees' "once in a generation" level of achievement is really not the point. There is a strong range of play in the NFL that doesn't reach Brees' level of excellence but is still strong, competent, and winning qb play

3) Matt Flynn does not have any real track record of accomplishment either. He understudied for years under a QB who doesn't miss games. As a positive, he played at a very high level in the TWO appearences he had in place of Rodgers. As a negative, his own Coach (Philbin) passed on him when he moved to Miami, a team with no QB solution. That isn't a very good reference point

Maybe Flynn"s time in the league will win out. And maybe the flashes of brilliance he showed in extremely limited time in Green Bay is real. But I believe that Carrol believed Flynn would distance himself from Wilson and Jackson. And he hasn't. Not in practice, Not in games, not in the calm display of leadership. To this point, Wilson may have separated himself from Flynn.

If you look at Flynn's college resume...you wouldn't necessarily expect him to be better than wilson

But maybe those few inches of height are all that matters...not the resume, not our eyes...

But then, maybe not. In any event, I don't agree with the Why's and how's of your post
 
# 12 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
Nice post kingsquonk. We will agree to disagree and see how it pans out.

"Had he been taller..." - It wasn't to be. This is my point. On draft boards I saw home as going in the 6th or 7th behind six other QB's. This fact doesn't necessarily add weight to one argument or the other though it confirms there are mixed opinions out there on this talented young QB.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...xpos&order=ASC
 
# 13 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
Edit: Home = him - typing whilst watching Liverpool vs Manchester City replay.
 
# 14 spottieottiedop @ Aug 26
Flynn = Kolb. Wilson should start.
 
# 15 ImaGamer_OS @ Aug 26
Always potential to go the way of Kolb. He could also go the way of Aaron Rodgers after being back up to a great QB. Time will tell...
 

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