(Photo: Fox Sports)
I still remember the 2012 NFL Draft as if it happened yesterday. Andrew Luck was the first overall pick and Robert Griffin III followed at number two. Also, Kirk Cousins, Ryan Tannehill and Nick Foles were also in this class. With the 75th pick in the draft that year, the Seattle Seahawks took a chance on a guy named Russell Wilson. A year later, he leads the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl title. In March 2022, Seattle traded him to the Denver Broncos and he spent the next two seasons of his career in Denver before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers last March. Pittsburgh decided to go in another direction which made Russell a free agent. He’s back in the conference he started in, the NFC and he’s now a member of the New York Giants on a one-year deal worth $21 million.
The wave people like to follow is when someone “struggles” or they don’t seem to have it anymore, they’re washed up and have seen their best days. I personally think Russ still some gas left in the tank and in the right system, he’s a solid piece. I’ve always been a fan of the leadership he displays which leads me to say you’re either a vocal leader or the one who leads by example and Russ is the perfect blend of both. He rallies the troops up and can also set the tone without words meaning his actions do the talking. Having watched him since his Seattle days, Russ has always magic happen with the ball in his hands. The one thing I can say he hasn’t lost even at the age of 36, he still has the arm strength and can put that ball in the place only to where his intended receiver can get it. I noticed that a few times when he became the Steelers starting Quarterback last season This is similar to a jump shooter in the NBA, even as they get older, they still have the ability to shoot the basketball and will never lose that part of their game, the same can be said about a Quarterback and his ability to throw the ball. I can tell Russ has studied some Drew Brees over the years, and I say that because he’s more of a pocket guy at this stage of his career, whereas in Seattle, he could extend plays and make a throw with a moving pocket There were moments last year when I saw him move the pocket, but that was about it from the mobility standpoint. Russ knows how to spread the ball and if you’re open, he’s going to find you. Even if his intended receiver has the best coverage on him, Russ has a way to make sure that pass falls right in the bread basket. One of the best passes I saw from him last year was in a game against the Washington Commanders. I remember Washington sending a delayed blitz which pushed Russ a little further in the pocket and he just heaved the ball up and found Mike Williams for the go-ahead score.
These last three years have been tough for the veteran Quarterback. His first year in Denver was a disaster and his second year which was under Sean Payton wasn’t bad statistically, but he and Sean never appeared to be on the same page. When he became the starter for the Steelers, things started very well, they came the struggling with the Steelers because their offense struggled to maintain consistency plus, they got away from their identity which was running the ball. Russ has always done his best work with a strong running game because he’s able to draw a defense close to the line of scrimmage and then, he can use his play action game to put the ball over the top. I’m curious to see what he does with Malik Nabers this year.
