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In that image I see a shortstop who just dragged his foot across the bag sidestepping the runner and gunning to first. I think it almost can't be measured, the impact baseball has had on Russell Wilson the quarterback.
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Rick sez,
I am reminded of Lenny Wilkens when I watch Wilson, or any great point guard - Magic Johnson comes to mind as well, but Wilson is short like Lenny and silky smooth. Anyway, when you are able to penetrate the lane, like Wilkens did, then other players who aren't guarding you have to compensate and move off their man and cover your advance. And with that spacial ability Auto5guy discusses, Wilson knows where the open guy will be, and he hits him. It's pretty cool. Wilson's ability to run 15 yards downfield is similar to a driving layup. It has to be challenged, and Wilson has left the defensive lineman in his tracks. So someone is open, and Wilson knows who that is. He also knows how to pop the 20 footer if he's open. - See more at: http://seattlesportsinsider.com/article/mad-dog-mean#sthash.Lc91iEsL.dpuf
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Exactly.
Wilson made a postgame comment last year that really took me aback. He cheerfully rejoiced that he was able to "facilitate" the football to his receivers.
Facilitate. Facilitate.
The word carries the idea that Wilson is an assistant in the Seahawks' passing game.
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Most quarterbacks, including and especially weekend warriors like the Jemanjinator, love the chance to plant the back foot and heave the down-and-out. The joy in the game for those feebs is the chance to air it out, to put the arm to the use for which it's designed.
That's what's fun. If it's the one thing you do naturally, then you like to do it a lot. Randy Johnson, when he was young, loved to leaaaannnnnn way back and see how hard he could throw. Who wouldn't? I would, if I were Randy Johnson. All NFL quarterbacks, of course, are Randy Johnson. You don't want to get into a pine cone fight with them.
Wilson just doesn't seem to think in terms of lifting the ball over his head dramatically, like Colin Kapernick, and sizzling a ball that will be completed because of him. Wilson seems to think in terms of just getting the football to the best place on the field, whether or not that will involve Wilson being able to lean back and take joy in the gift that is his right arm.
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Willie McGinest was on TV the other day, marvelling about a deep sideline throw against the Redskins. "He's running at top speed, with a defender as close as me to you (Nate Burleson standing next to McGinest). And he lets the ball go and it hits the tight end perfectly, 30 yards downfield." :: shakes head ::
Actually that might even have been the play in Keith Allison's terrific photo, above.
Wilson's diminutive stature* is a major blessing to him, in terms of his instinctive reactions to slash-and-dash. But it all combines toward one end: playing the game faster than other people play it.
Comments
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On the MNF broadcast, Jon Gruden was gushing the whole game about the Seahawks in general, and Wilson especially. He exclaimed on several plays to the effect of "how on earth did he see that guy open" on his scrambles. Exactly what a good PG does. If he can continue to improve his ability and situational awareness on more standard pocket passing plays...the sky's the limit.
Lenny Wilkens was before my day, trying to think of the best current PG comparison to Wilson...would love to see him have a Tony Parker type career. Always underrated by the average fan focused on headline stats, but plays super smart and efficient, and consistently does what it takes to win - including taking over and putting up monster numbers some games when it's needed. Rajon Rondo comes to mind a bit too, just because of the propensity for athletic, unconventional pass plays that no other player can even think up, let alone execute.
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Funny you mention that, because I remember hearing in an interview recently that Wilson has watched a lot of video of Tony Parker for that exact reason. He's sees himself as that kind of player. Good comp.