Atlanta Falcons: Q&A with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has dazzled despite questions about his small stature. (Rick Bowmer/Associated Press)
By MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM
FLOWERY BRANCH — Russell Wilson was the sixth quarterback selected in the 2012 draft, but he’s the only one to lead his team to the divisional playoff round.
The Seahawks took Wilson with the 75th pick out of Wisconsin and eventually made him the starter, despite signing free-agent Matt Flynn to a rich contract in the offseason. It has paid off as Wilson has become a dynamic offensive threat for the Seahawks, who play the Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Here are some excerpts from Wilson’s conference call with Atlanta reporters Wednesday:
Q: (Falcons defensive coordinator) Mike Nolan compared you to (Hall of Fame quarterback) Fran Tarkenton. That’s got to be something, right?
A: I know who he is. He’s a tremendous quarterback who played way back when and did a lot of great things and changed the game. I studied film on him and Doug Flutie and Drew Brees, (with me) not being the prototypical quarterback. For me, (my size) is not a disadvantage. My height doesn’t define my skill set. I feel I can make any play on the field.
Q:What were your expectations when the Seahawks drafted you?
A: My expectations were very high. I’ve always believed in myself. That’s what has allowed me to be successful and be where I am today. If I listened to everybody who said I can’t do it, I can’t play quarterback, I can’t be a starting quarterback, I wouldn’t be here. I believe in my God-given ability and knowledge and football I.Q. I work at it every day. You’ve got to work it at every day. Obviously I try to learn from the best by watching other quarterbacks across the NFL.
Q: What did you learn from watching smaller guys like Flutie, Brees and Tarkenton?
A: The biggest thing is they never cared or worried what everyone had to say about the way they played. They just went out there and trusted their reads. I’ve been the same height for a while. For the last six or seven years I’ve been this height, and I’ve learned to trust my ability. I have long arms and big hands, and that allows me to throw. I have the ability to move, which is a big plus. I can step up, step back, slide out of things and make something happen. You watch a guy like Brees, he keeps his eyes downfield all the time, and that’s what I try to do. I don’t really like running, to be honest. I’d rather throw all day and get it to the true playmakers and facilitate. But sometimes the right play is to run.
Q: Has the speed of the game slowed down for you now?
A: It definitely has slowed down for me. Physically, obviously it’s the same speed, but mentally, it’s slowed down. I’m trusting my reads, knowing where I’m going with the football and believing in it. The more experience I get, it’s going to help. I played 50-plus games in college, 20-plus here. That helps a lot. And the way we practice it’s very, very fast. Coach (Pete) Carroll is good about that.
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97 comments Add your comment
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
6:58 am
How many batted down balls can our defensive line get on Sunday? Vertically challenged QB’s always get stuffed.
Mike Franklin
January 10th, 2013
7:14 am
Okay, let’s just concede the game to Seattle… I mean, that’s what the media wants, right?
Season Ticket Holder
January 10th, 2013
7:32 am
Keep Wilson contained and don’t let him extend plays with his legs. The Falcons WIN!
father of a vertically challenged qb
January 10th, 2013
7:51 am
jus watch them win baby
GDawg
January 10th, 2013
7:56 am
Trust me when I say this Spoon will be spying him all game, and he fast enough in the open field to catch him.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
7:58 am
BE THERE!!!
(reprinted without permission)
The 2013 playoffs are here, and as Atlanta gears up for a huge post-season game, 680 The Fan is throwing the biggest playoff rally in the city! Join us for the Atlanta Playoff Rally presented by Bud Light. Friday January 11th, at Dave & Busters in Marietta! Chuck & Chernoff will kick things off with a live broadcast from 3-7p but all the rally action will continue until 9! Fox 5 Atlanta will also be live on site as we let the birds know that the 680 nation has their back! Let’s celebrate the playoffs and help get this city ready for a run!
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
8:00 am
father of a vertically challenged qb
January 10th, 2013
7:51 am
jus watch them win baby
**************************************
Watch who win my friend?
The 12th Falcon
January 10th, 2013
8:09 am
LOUD CROWD
MG3
January 10th, 2013
8:17 am
Russell Wilson is a fine young QB and seeming a terrific young man as well…that said, I hope Spoon gives him the same ATL welcome that he gave one RGIII. The Seahawks aren’t the only physical team out there!
Fair catch Franks
January 10th, 2013
8:26 am
Enter your comments here
Fair catch Franks
January 10th, 2013
8:31 am
Seahawk fans are like the guy who shows up for the prom in a powder blue tux, then at dinner stuffs a napkin down the front of his shirt. They lack any class.
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
9:04 am
@Esquire — “Vertically challenged QB’s always get stuffed”.
That is a myth. The issue is not height, but the issue is the height in which they release the ball. Wilson has a high release and so does Brees. This is the reason why Wilson ended with a 100 QB rating just behind Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Robert Griffin III and a spot higher than Matt Ryan.
Lefty
January 10th, 2013
9:12 am
I’m willing to bet my hard earned moola that Russell Wilson has had fewer passes knocked down than Matt Ryan. And I don’t say that lightly as my moola is hard earned. That being said I think the SeaTerds are going down!
MaxxFalcon
January 10th, 2013
9:16 am
Russel and RGIII’s QB ratings are higher because they don’t throw it nearly as often as Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning. The Skins and Seahawks both have great rushing attacks, unlike the Packers and Falcons. If RGIII or Russel had to throw as much as Aaron or Matt, their ratings would be much lower. And let’s go ahead and agree that Russel Wilson’s height does not hinder him on the football field at all. Agreed? Good. Next topic…
Ellison Smith
January 10th, 2013
9:18 am
Esquire, have you watched wilson play at all or are you still reading pre draft reports on him. He doesn’t get any more passes batted down than anyone else. Every QB has to through through passing lanes, the O-lines averages 6′6” every qb, even the prototypical Brady and Manning(s) have to through through passing lanes, Russell Wilson’s no different. The only difference is he already has more postseason wins that Matty Ice
DR. FALCON
January 10th, 2013
9:58 am
HEY RUSSELL, YOUR SUCCESS IS A NICE LITTLE STORY, BUT, IT COMES TO AN END ON SUNDAY! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! WE WILL SHOW THE WORLD, WHAT FALCON FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT!
I usually just read but...
January 10th, 2013
10:38 am
Q: Are you happy with your center?
A: Not really. I want coach to sign Ned Beatty for me.
Gamer
January 10th, 2013
10:45 am
This guy sound like a veteran quarterback… One can discern his gameful insight is off the chart,,far beyond his years as a rookie, very intriguing…..Falcons must suit up as if they are playing against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time….This guy is a high caliber quarterback…
This is what the Falcons need to face to eradicate pessimist media critics….Falcons stay focus…
Falcons on three, DOMINATE!!!!!
atlantafalcon fan
January 10th, 2013
10:49 am
HEY AJC ..THIS IS ATLANTA GEORGIA …AND ATLANTA FALCONS COUNTRY WHY ARE YOU INTERVEIWING THE OPPOSING TEAMS QUATERBACK I COULD GIVE A RATSa$$ ABOUT RUSSELL WILSON…I WANNA HEAR ABOUT THE ATLANTA FALCONS….CAN YOU GIVE THE HOMETEAM A LITTLE SUPPORT HERE????SHESSSSSSSSH..GET BEHIND THE FALCONS AND NOT SOME UNEXPERIENCED UNTESTED TEAM 3 ,000 MILES AWAY
Buddy Landel
January 10th, 2013
10:54 am
Check out the cbssports.com “experts” picks. There are 9 experts. The picks break down like this: 2/9 pick Atlanta, 2/9 pick Frisco, 1/9 picks Baltimore, ZERO/9 pick Houston.
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
10:55 am
@MaxxFalcon – I definitely concede that RG3 and Wilson didn’t throw it as much as Rodgers, Manning, and Ryan — but to presume that they would have a much lower QB rating is just a speculation. If increased throws equated lower QB ratings by default, then that would mean that at least 6 QBs who threw less than RG3 and Wilson should have higher QB ratings, but they don’t. At least one of those QBs had a team that was ranked #5 in rushing offense as well. They are all in the low 70s of QB rating. It has as much to do of with the efficiency of their throws.
There are many that threw for less than Ryan and their QB rating is much worse because Ryan makes more efficient throws than those individuals. Wilson in 2009 broke the record for the most consecutive pass attempts without an interception for the NCAA. The record was 325. He made a new record of 379. This season, he threw for no interceptions for 3 games straight. The point is, his QB rating is also affected by the fact that he, for the most part, protects the ball and doesn’t throw interceptions very often. He will continually get better in this area. He’s a rookie and so I anticipate further betterment of his game as time goes along.
Slightly Dirty Bird
January 10th, 2013
10:55 am
More Disrespect. Nate Silver on ESPN just predicted a Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl. Lol. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, I think Russell Wilson is going to get a raise (makes $390,000 this year)
Falconetti
January 10th, 2013
11:09 am
He’s no more than a mediocre manage the game type QB. The young, mobile QB’s have gotten a lot of pub at least since ‘Slash’ but none of them has ever won a SB. When the dust settles Sunday, Brady, Peyton, Rogers, and Matty Ice will have another game to prepare for.
GATarheel
January 10th, 2013
11:17 am
@Falconetti Ryan has to win a playoff game first.
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
11:17 am
@Falconetti – It’s true that the young, mobile QBs that have gotten a lot of publicity this year have not won a SB. But they are rookies, so they haven’t had a chance to aim for the SB yet. This statement will only matter if Wilson or Kaepernick (who isn’t a rookie, but this is the first year he has taken the helm) do not win the SB.
Wilson is a passer first. He is not RG3. His first instinct is not to run. He always looks down field. He always looks to throw. But if everyone is covered and he knows he can get some positive yardage, he will run. But he always prefers to throw first and foremost. He will only run a first down. He will slide or get out of bounds. The only time he pushes more yardage is if he knows that there is no one near him.
I definitely don’t think that the Falcons deserve the disrespect that they have been given by the media. It’s kind of strange to be honest to have the Seahawks not be perceived as the underdogs. They have played that role for quite a long time that to have the media fawning over them is new. But if anything, it brings a bigger resolve with the Falcons fan base and most likely even players, to prove that the Falcons have had the amazing record that they’ve had in the regular season for a reason.
Napolean
January 10th, 2013
11:19 am
There were no questions about height, yet he referenced his height directly in two answers, and indirectly in another.
GATarheel
January 10th, 2013
11:21 am
I hope the Falcons win, but if they don’t Smith will have to go. This team is too talented not have one a playoff game.
GATarheel
January 10th, 2013
11:22 am
I meant won a play off game
Vu Ḉa Avant
January 10th, 2013
11:24 am
Atlanta has consistently lost to vertically challenged QBs.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
11:25 am
Mularkey didn’t last long at Jax…………………..I guess that new GM knew him too well.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
11:29 am
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
11:17 am
Wilson is a passer first. He is not RG3. His first instinct is not to run. He always looks down field. He always looks to throw. But if everyone is covered and he knows he can get some positive yardage, he will run. But he always prefers to throw first and foremost. He will only run a first down. He will slide or get out of bounds. The only time he pushes more yardage is if he knows that there is no one near him.
*************************************
You do know that the Seachickens are a running team don’t you?
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
11:32 am
Hey, a tornado watch in New Orleans………..one can only hope…………….uh er that nobody suffers loss or injury. Seen……………..run for cover!!!!! Oh no……!!!
ROFLMAO
LoveMyDirtyBirds
January 10th, 2013
11:33 am
Same team we had 24-7 at the half at their place in 2011.
With the same guys playing defense to include “CLEMONS”.
Ryan 28/42 291 1 TD
Turner 28 carries 70 YDS 2 TD
JJ 11 REC 127
RWhite 6 rec 78
Lynch 8 carries 24 yds 1 TD (12 yd run)
We are not losing to this team……..
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
11:38 am
@Esquire – I know you’re being tongue-in-cheek. Haha. Obviously, everyone knows that they are the #1 rushing offense. I am speaking about Wilson, not the team. The statement was in reference to the QBs being mobile. My statement was specifically about the fact that as a QB (not as a team), he is a passer first not a runner. He runs out of necessity, when given the opportunity. But he’d always rather throw it or hand it off to Lynch or Turbin.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
11:41 am
Can’t really compare Wilson’s vertically challenged status to Fran Tarkenton. Hell, Fran was 2 inches taller than Wilson.
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
11:41 am
@Esquire — I wanted to delete that comment cause the Seahawks are third after Redskins and Vikings. Sorry for the misstatement.
Pigskin
January 10th, 2013
11:42 am
Stayed up late last night watching D-Block videos. If you ain’t jacked up yet…..watch some of these! A little inside look at our guys kickin’ it.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=d+block+atlanta+falcons&oq=d+block+atlanta+falcons&gs_l=youtube.12…0.0.0.6366.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0…0.0…1ac.
* #50 is the guy they call “the Rookie.” He’s not allowed to talk but, his presence in every video is a fixture. He says so much w/o saying a word!
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
11:45 am
Tarkenton was 0-3 in the Super Bowl, uh oh. Did he ever play for Buffalo…? hmmm……..
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
11:47 am
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
11:41 am
@Esquire — I wanted to delete that comment cause the Seahawks are third after Redskins and Vikings. Sorry for the misstatement.
**********************************
It’s ok Phoebe, I usually want to delete most of my comments after I hit submit comment too.
trailerparkted
January 10th, 2013
11:54 am
Wilson has more playoff wins than Ryan…………until that changes, stfu
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
12:06 pm
@Esquire —
I love the passion of fans – from both sides. I love my Seahawks, but I also do understand the frustration of the Falcon fans. Your team does have the BEST winning record of the NFC. So I understand why it’s frustrating to watch the talking heads not give more credit where credit is due. For me, I know that Irvin needs to step up and get some sacks on Ryan, since Clemons is getting his surgery on his ACL.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to watch the game except for the last 20 minutes or so, but what I will be tracking is how much the Seahawks allow Ryan to pass and how much they control the Falcons run game. I am sure you probably know the pattern in which the Falcons have lost the past three playoff games. The consistent number is, if Ryan is kept under 200 passing yds and the rushing game is kept under 65 yds, they most likely will lose the game.
It should be a great and competitive game. I like those the most.
The 12th Falcon
January 10th, 2013
12:20 pm
ATLANTA 34
SEATTLE 0
Big Ray
January 10th, 2013
12:22 pm
Russel Wilson is a very good QB.
That said, the points about how much he is asked to throw versus some of the more prolific pocket passers cannot be ignored.
“Russel Wilson has more playoff wins than Matt Ryan.”
This is called a cheap shot. Last I looked, Joe Flacco had a good number of playoff wins. How many of these can he account for? None. Baltimore won on the strenth of it’s defense and on the talent of RB Ray Rice.
Seeing a slight parallel here? You should. Seattle’s defense and their RB are BOTH very highly rated and highly responsible for that record.
To give Wilson credit, he’s thrown a good number of TDs (26) despite not putting up many attempts (25th in the League), total passing yards (23rd in the League), or yards per game….finishing just ahead of such names as Mark Sanchez, Christian Ponder, and Blaine Gabbert.
Then there’s this playoff game wherein the Seahawks received a huge gift in the form of insane coaching by Mike Shanaham.
I watched the game and saw that first quarter – Seahawks getting ripped by RG III from the pocket no less…not by running. It was all Redskins with Wilson misfiring on passes until RG III got hurt….yet inexplicably stayed in the game, further hurting his team.
Sorry, but once that happened, the Redskins had no chance. They should have taken Griffin out and put Cousins in much sooner to have a chance. All they had to do was control the clock. Seahawks weren’t exactly stuffing Alfred Morris and had been exposed by…who? Evan Royster? Logan Paulsen? Not even Pierre Garcon? LOL
Thanks to the defense no longer having to face RG III and a lot of darn good running by Lynch (followed by Wilson), it was no longer a game.
So what happens when Wilson can’t run? Atlanta defense is coached differently and possesses secondary personnel that will fool you on reads. We handled both Manning brothers – two of the smartest guys in the game.
You’re up next, rook.
Big Ray
January 10th, 2013
12:25 pm
BTW,
Have the Seahawks faced anybody with as many threats as the Falcons present on offense?
Forget Mike Turner.
I’m talking two very strong/very fast, big WRs in Julio and Roddy, plus a HOF TE in Gonzalez, a slot guy with speed and YAC ability in Harry Douglas, and a RB in Rodgers that can hurt you on draw plays, screens, dump-offs, a number of ways.
Your secondary can’t cover them all, and Gonzalez will eat any LB up over the middle.
Your CBs are good….but they like press coverage. You’re not going to press our WRs. They’re every bit as strong as your CBs…probably stronger….and they’re FAST. Julio will KILL you if you try one-on-one. The guy runs a 4.3. Just sayin’…..press if you want. You’ll get beat the hell up…quick.
FEATURED POST: Atlanta Falcons: Q&A with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
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[...] only one to lead his team to the divisional playoff round. The Seahawks took Wilson with Source: Atlanta Falcons – D. Orlando Ledbetter AJC Blog Share this: Posted in Falcons « Atlanta Hawks: Cavaliers 99, Hawks 83 (updated) Bourn [...]
Teds Frozen Head
January 10th, 2013
12:45 pm
Esquire ~ You are in for a surprise thinking Wilson will get “stuffed”. It seldom happens. He is a better QB than MR. He has more TD’s and less INT and a higher QB rating by a mile. Don’t underestimate him because of his size, he makes fools out of those who do.
The Falcons only advantage is in their receiving. All other advantages go to the Seahawks. If Seattle gets of to a quick lead it is going to be a long day for Falcon fans.
Joshua Brown
January 10th, 2013
12:52 pm
We need The Georgia Dome to be loud, packed, and full by 12:35 Sunday to cheer on your Atlanta Falcons #arriveby35 #RiseUp
amused in seattle
January 10th, 2013
12:53 pm
The only real threats the Falcons pose on offense are all in the passing game. Falcons have no running backs that averageeven 4 tds a carry. Believe me, your running backs, or run defense, do not out the fear of god in anyone, and that, even more than the fact that Atlanta is 0-4 in the playoffssince 2004, is why most of the experts don’t like the Falcons to advance.
Realist
January 10th, 2013
1:00 pm
Enter your comments here
Realist
January 10th, 2013
1:02 pm
@Big Ray to answer your question, the Hawks faced the Patriots. And the defense shut them down in the second half after making adjustments. It was the infamous “U Mad Bro?” game.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
1:17 pm
That’s cool that they don’t think much of the ATL; This Brings a bigger chip on the shoulders of the redn’black. Go ahead n’ say seatle this seatle that, wilson this wilson that, that’s allright, we’re that roar’n Lion that’s gonna explode, we haven’t revealed all the mixed plays that will be unleashed. Man all you make believe sea biscuit fans come on here, we’ll look for ya Monday. The underdog ain’t count’n the points here. The MoJo is doi’n what everybody else nationally say we can’t do. Word’s & analysts don’t hold weight to what’s on the field(HEART!)
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
1:25 pm
The ATL is Hungry, The ATL is Jacked up, The Atl has worked hard for this, Congrats to seatle for winnin’ 6 straight. But we Ain’t through yet, you’re words ain’t noth’n but dust, go ahead build up seatle on a falcon blog, go ahead, it’s all funny papers.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
1:31 pm
trailerparkted
January 10th, 2013
11:54 am
Wilson has more playoff wins than Ryan…………until that changes, stfu
*************************************
Wilson and the seachickens have been lucky “SO FAR”. Hell, they might not even be in the playoffs if it weren’t for the replacement refs. Lucky to get RG3 nicked up, also lucky to get the idiocy of Shanahan trying to play a cripple in the NFL. Cousins could have beaten the seachickens had Shanahan put him in after the 14-0 lead. Anyway, welcome to the DOOM DOME idiot, you’re going down.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
1:36 pm
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
9:04 am
@Esquire — “Vertically challenged QB’s always get stuffed”.
That is a myth. The issue is not height, but the issue is the height in which they release the ball. Wilson has a high release and so does Brees. This is the reason why Wilson ended with a 100 QB rating just behind Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Robert Griffin III and a spot higher than Matt Ryan.
***********************************
Sure, Wilson has a high release………………..that’s as high as he can go. What, you think his arm grows 6 inches when he goes back to pass……??
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
1:43 pm
@Big Ray – First and foremost, I will absolutely concede that the Redskins game was not one of Wilson’s best – passing wise, but that’s why the best team wins in the playoffs, not necessarily the best QB. Right now, Wilson is a rookie. He is good, and there are moments, when he is great, but he has a lot more to learn. It would be foolish to state that the game would not have played out differently if Griffin was 100% injure free.
With that said, there are a few things that I would disagree with. One being that they didn’t stuff Morris’ run game.
In the first qtr, Morris was handed the ball by Griffin 8 times for a gain of 49 yds. (6.1 yd/per att)
In the second qtr, Morris was handed the ball by Griffin 3 times for a gain of 11 yds. (3.7 yd/per att)
In the third qtr, Morris was handed the ball by Griffin 3 times for a gain of 12 yds. (4 yd/per att)
In the fourth qtr, Morris was handed the ball by Griffin 2 times for a gain of 8 yds. (4 yd/per att) Then Cousins never handed off the ball during the time he was in. He just kept passing.
Without a shadow of a doubt, RG3 being injured played into the loss of the Redskins, but RG3 is not on the field when the Redskins defense is. They are #5 in rushing defense, but allowed 224 yds on the ground by the Seahawks. In ALL of the Redskins 16 games in 2012, the defense has NEVER given up that many yds ONCE in a game. The most they ever allowed was 186 yds by the Baltimore Ravens.
So yes, absolutely RG3’s contribution on offense matters, but people need to recognize that the Seahawks offense ran their way to victory against a #5 rush defense caliber team. I don’t care that Wilson didn’t do it with his passing game that week. They realized that the Redskins defense had more holes than they were anticipating that opened up the run game. Now, I definitely think that Wilson needs his more accurate arm back for this game against the Falcons because if Ryan starts strong, fighting back a deficit against the Falcons will be harder than it was with the Redskins.
Latte-Sipping Hipster
January 10th, 2013
1:43 pm
GO SEAGULLS!!!
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
1:50 pm
@Esquire — he doesn’t need to grow an extra 6 inches. Your statement was about batted balls. My response was that he has a high release and this is the reason why his balls have not been batted down as much as you think it would be for someone his height. Whenever a person lacks something, either they become people who use it as an excuse or they become an individual who finds a way to overcome it. With Wilson, he watched the few QBs that exist that has his stature, and one of the things that he picked up and uses is the fact that they have a high release that keeps their balls from being batted down.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
2:40 pm
I do remember a certain hosed job call in the end zone that the replacement stripes helped the seagirls out for a win against the packers on a Monday night game. Hmmm, wonder what would’ve been if the right call been made.
Big Ray
January 10th, 2013
2:56 pm
He is a better QB than MR. He has more TD’s and less INT and a higher QB rating by a mile.
This is what is commonly known as a LIE.
Wilson’s rating was 100.0
Ryan’s was 99.1.
A difference of .9….which has never equated to a “mile.”
Wilson threw 26 TDs with 10 INTs.
Ryan threw 32 TDs with 14 INTs. So the INT part is valid, but the TD part is NOT.
Wilson attempted over 200 LESS passes than Ryan did, what with Ryan having practically no running game to compliment him…whereas Wilson had the League’s leading rusher behind him.
Ryan threw for 1600 more yards, averaged 100 yards more per game, threw 4.5% more accurately, and did all that with
1) One of the League’s worst rushing attacks.
2) A not-so-good offensive line.
3) A WR who was near the top of the League in dropped passes.
So don’t tell me Wilson is a better QB. He benefits from a better gameplan on many days…one that doesn’t require him to do all the heavy lifting…like Ryan has to do.
Please…stick to what you know….which can’t be much…
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
3:02 pm
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
12:06 pm
Unfortunately I won’t be able to watch the game except for the last 20 minutes or so, but what I will be tracking is how much the Seahawks allow Ryan to pass and how much they control the Falcons run game. I am sure you probably know the pattern in which the Falcons have lost the past three playoff games. The consistent number is, if Ryan is kept under 200 passing yds and the rushing game is kept under 65 yds, they most likely will lose the game.
******************************************
I really hate you won’t be able to watch but the last 20 minutes, is that football time or real time? I don’t know why people want to keep going back to the previous losses in the playoffs. Each of these Falcons teams were unique and frankly, not as good as this team.
Yeah, those are the numbers everybody is passing around but the only numbers that count are the final score of which the MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS will prevail. Don’t forget the Falcons rushed for 125 yards against the #1 run defense during the regular season so don’t get too comfortable.
Big Ray
January 10th, 2013
3:10 pm
Phoebe ,
You’re getting hung up on the yardage. Yardage means nothing if you can’t get in the endzone. You know this is true, because despite all the yardage you only got into the endzone ONCE in three quarters.
RG III got there on you TWICE in the first quarter alone, prior to hurting his knee the first time .
Even then…when did you take the lead? Not until half way through the 4th quarter, when the Washington defense, which had been on the field way too much, finally wore down.
The last TD you scored was just ice on top. The Redskins were done the moment they let RG III stay in there, gimping around. Suddenly he couldn’t make plays.
And when y’all were given enough opportunities because the Redskins O couldn’t stay on the field, you finally made some plays. Up until that point it was a single TD and two FGs. Not enough to gain the lead.
Go back and look at the time of possession, it tells the truth.
And you didn’t really stuff Morris. He averaged 4.8 yards per game in the regular season. He averaged 5.0 in that game.
What happened, you might ask? Simple – the ‘Skins couldn’t just keep giving him the ball. Nope…when you need to score, you have to go through the air. You made adjustments in the 2nd half…but that WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED YOU if RG III hadn’t gotten hurt.
Before he got hurt, he was slicing you up because you knew you had to respect his ability to run almost as much as you had to respect Morris coming out of the backfield. You didn’t know what to do because he could also pass the ball. AGAIN…once he got hurt, that only left two options – pass the ball or hand it to Morris…much easier to defend.
Otherwise, he’d have kept slicing you through the air with no-name guys (Paulsen, Royster).
You got a taste of your own medicine at first….because RG III is actually better than Russell Wilson. More dangerous. Even if by a slim margin. The guy only threw 5 INTs all season, still managed to throw 20 TDs. Seriously, who does that….
Big Ray
January 10th, 2013
3:21 pm
Big Ray to answer your question, the Hawks faced the Patriots. And the defense shut them down in the second half after making adjustments. It was the infamous “U Mad Bro?” game.
Congrats to you for beating the Patriots six games into the season. Guess who else beat them a few games earlier? Arizona. Where they at now? Exactly.
Since your pre-midseason win, only one team beat the Patriots for the rest of the season – San Francisco. What did ‘Frisco do? Beat you 13-6 the very next week….Early season games are guarantees of nothing. We beat Peyton and the Broncos coming out of the gate….
So what’s your point? You still haven’t faced an offense like ours near its peak . In fact, you haven’t faced this many receiving threats as you are about to since that Patriots game. Unless you want to count San Franciso…who should have put Alex Smith on you in stead of Kaepernick…
Russell Wilson
January 10th, 2013
3:22 pm
Hey Mattie, I’m gonna show you a thing or two about winning playoff games. Then, after we serve you up a beatdown on Sunday, I will console you like RG3 did for Romo.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2013
3:46 pm
Atlanta – 34 …….Seabuzzards – 13
Too much hype about Seattle.
Falconetti
January 10th, 2013
3:48 pm
The media is in love with the “hot” wild card team because of the recent Giants and GB wins, but even with winners the last 3 years there have still only been 8 wild card super bowl champs in 42 years. Those were flukes. Three of four wild card teams are done and the 4th goes down Sunday in the Dome. No fear for a team that lost to Detroit and Miami!!!
Big Russell
January 10th, 2013
3:52 pm
Hey Big Ray:
How about the GB recievers? Don’t tell me it was early season…Aaron Rogers no TD’s and all recievers under 60 yards. Same thing will happen in the G Dome and we won’t need a OT miracle!
Bring on the GB rematch!
PMC
January 10th, 2013
4:05 pm
and the Seahawks are 1-7 in Road Playoff games all time.
Coached currently by a man with all the integrity of Bobby Petrino. Good luck with that.
Big Russell
January 10th, 2013
4:05 pm
We handled both Manning brothers – two of the smartest guys in the game.
You’re up next, rook.
Hey Big Ray:
Peyton in week 2?!!! He was just getting back into it at that early date.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2013
4:07 pm
Would love to see a NFC title game with a rematch of Greenbay in Atlanta……..be fun watching the Falcons vent their anger out on GB in a revenge game for two years ago.
12thMan
January 10th, 2013
4:11 pm
Flacons have lost last three first round games and are premier choke artists. Good luck with THAT!
12thMan
January 10th, 2013
4:12 pm
What was Atlanta’s strength of schedule? Oh right, it was the easiest in the NFL. I’m sure that didn’t impact your regular season record or anything.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
4:26 pm
12thMan; Whatever was given, but dang! bless you’re pea squeal’n heart, Oh wait a minute, “choke” son, you had us goin’ there bud, now crawl back in that troll hole you snuck out of & just look foward to next year, weak words. Swamp peoples off da’ air. And is that all you can come up w/? Is that the best you got, man, all of Atl is shaking by you’re words, no weight man, no weight. Bring it son bring it, rolls like pooh!
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
4:28 pm
@Big Ray; Good Diggs son, no better said!
SteelerfaninSeattle
January 10th, 2013
4:28 pm
Run into Russell Wilson at the grocery store a couple of days ago. Dude is no taller than 5′10″, probably 5′9″, must have been wearing lifts at the combine! Still, he plays tall, seems to have a good head on his shoulders.
Michael M.
January 10th, 2013
4:29 pm
lmao at the Aints………………………………get your popcorn ready and watch a ” Real Team ” push on in the playoffs……………….the Atlanta Falcons……………………………
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
4:31 pm
All these who dat’s comin’ on here posin’ to support the seahacks just need to go find a life. Don’t worry who’ flats will see ya next year, enjoy.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 10th, 2013
4:34 pm
Hey ya’ll, it’s ol’ choke himself posin’ as 12thman, squeal like a pig son,(Deliverance-Ned betty was bein’ choked).
Michael M.
January 10th, 2013
4:43 pm
I see Drew Sleeze now gathering the kids Sunday, ” Come on young-ins, lets go watch the Falcons play ! “…………………hehehehehe
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
5:39 pm
@ Still Gritz – Whether or not the GB Packers bad call happened, the Seahawks would’ve still gotten into the playoffs after winning at the Rams. In that final game, it wasn’t whether or not they were going to get in, but where they were going to seed. It did mess up other things in regards to seeding for the Packers, but it didn’t change the ultimate landscape of who ended up in the playoffs. Moreover, it was such a bad call that it was the last straw that finally caused the real refs to come back. So if anything, it made us not have to endure the replacement refs longer than the 3 weeks of the regular season.
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
5:57 pm
@Big Ray – I absolutely agree with you that yardage can be meaningless – that at the end of the day, you need to get into the end zone, which they did, twice. The same amount of times that the Redskins did in that game. It doesn’t matter if they accomplished it in the 1st qtr, if they weren’t able to get past the 50 yd line in the next 3 quarters, which is what happened. Games are not won in the 1st qtr. The score that matters is in the 4th qtr (or OT).
The Redskins in the game had 10 drives and produced a score on 2 of them, 20% of their drives. The Seahawks had 9 drives and produced a score on 5 of them, 55% of their drives. It’s not pretty. I would’ve preferred that they produced more. It could have been way better, but it was enough to get the job done.
I love Wilson. I think he is a good QB. Given a few more years under his belt, I do believe he can be great, and perhaps even someday put up elite numbers. But that day is not today. Do I think that RG3 is a better QB than Wilson? Yes, by a little. RG3 is a threat when fully healthy. We could see even as he came out hurt in the 1st qtr that he could still do damage when his leg was able to be planted well enough to throw accurate throws. I recognize that as his pain increased that his ability to get the right footing to throw accurately was compromised. But again, that doesn’t account for the Redskins defense.
I agree with you that yards can be meaningless, but those yards they ran or Wilson passed were not meaningless. They were the reason why they won they game. When they are able to get 380 yards in (156 in the air, 224 on the ground) while they held their competition to 203 yards (99 in the air, 104 on the ground), it matters.
Esquire
January 10th, 2013
5:57 pm
Teds Frozen Head
January 10th, 2013
12:45 pm
Esquire ~ You are in for a surprise thinking Wilson will get “stuffed”. It seldom happens. He is a better QB than MR. He has more TD’s and less INT and a higher QB rating by a mile. Don’t underestimate him because of his size, he makes fools out of those who do.
The Falcons only advantage is in their receiving. All other advantages go to the Seahawks. If Seattle gets of to a quick lead it is going to be a long day for Falcon fans.
*************************
He doesn’t get stuffed because he takes off running………..which partly accounts for his low pass attempts count. Less INT’s………….you big dummy…….Ryan has more completions than Wilson has pass attempts which means 10 INT’s for Wilson is very high or Ryan’s 14 INT’s is very low……you pick.
A higher QB rating by a mile?? I love how you idiot fans pull these stats out of your ass. Tell me their passer ratings dunce hat…………then tell me how much difference there is. (HINT: one is 100, the other 99)
“The Falcons only advantage is in their receiving”……..??? …you better keep our offense off the field or we will score on you at will. We rushed for 126 yards against the #1 rushing defense during the regular season. Can’t wait to hear you guys moan on Monday……..”Well, we didn’t have Clemons”………… You’re going down brethren, believe it.
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Gabriela
January 10th, 2013
6:57 pm
We stumbled over here coming from a different website and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.
One of the 12s
January 10th, 2013
7:21 pm
Big Ray
January 10th, 2013
3:21 pm
Check your facts. The week after San Fran beat New England the Seahawks beat the 49ers 42 – 13
To all the rest of you:
I’ve been reading the blogs here and in Seattle and I’ve noticed a few things:
1) You ATL bloggers love calling the Seahawks names. Seahags, Seachickens, Fleahawks, etc. just to name a few. Is this a cultural thing or to you all have the mental and emotional capacity of 11 year olds?
2) Disregarding the availblilityof tickets for the game. No self-respecting 12th man would ever sell tickets to a playoff game to make a few dollars. We support our team till the clock hits 00. Did you see the 49er game on Sunday night where we beat them 42-13. NO ONE left until the game was over. Century Link Field is the loudest stadium in the league bar none.
.
3) A lot of people saying that Russell Wilson will make mistake because he is a rookie. Have you seen him play? This article goes a long way in explaining why Wilson is such a dependable player. He won’t be making mistakes this Sunday.
4) The media disrespecting you? They watch more games and more film that any of you (as shown by the errors in your statements). They know the game and can evaluate talent. They are picking the Seahawks because we are the better team. It’s not disrespect if it is fact. The Seahawks have the edge in every phase of the game except maybe (and I do say maybe) your receivers vs. our secondary. I have faith that our secondary will have a great game and limit the Falcons passing attack. Jimmy Johnson didn’t say that the Falcons were going to win the game, just that they were ready for the game.
5) Your blog posts scream of desperation.. All the pressure is on the Falcons and Ryan. The more the desperation the more the heartache when you loose. The Seahawks will win against your Falcons on Sunday and I will be back no matter the outcome.
Phoebe
January 10th, 2013
8:18 pm
@Big Ray —
Also, I am surprised that you think so poorly of the game that the Seahawks had against the Redskins. As I said earlier, the Seahawks had 5/9 drives put up points (FG, TD, FG – 2nd qtr, TD w/ 2 point conversion & FG in 4th qtr). When the Falcons played the Redskins, they had 4/12 drives put up points (TD – 2nd qtr, TD, FG & TD in 4th qtr). At the end of the day, we both put up 24 points against the Redskins. The only point different is the additional FG that the Redskins managed to score against the Falcons.
Since RG3 was injured before the 2nd qtr was finished, the Falcons played the Redskins when Kirk Cousins was in. If the running thought is that RG3 is the one that affects the games even though he’s not out there with the defense, are we then to presume that we should discredit the win of the Falcons because he happened to get injured? Of course not, it’s a team sport. The Falcons won that game because the defense did not do enough to stop your team. It’s the same way with the Seahawks. I don’t know why it should matter how it started, but rather how it finished.
Video: How are the Falcons handling the playoff week? | Atlanta Falcons
January 10th, 2013
9:52 pm
[...] Q&A with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson [...]
Video: How are the Falcons handling the playoff week? | NFL Online News
January 11th, 2013
4:42 am
[...] Q&A with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson [...]
In my Seahawks onesies
January 11th, 2013
7:17 am
Wilson is already better then Ryan…he has a playoff win!! He will show the football nation why he should be rookie of the year!!come on now y’all spoon gon stop him? Better ask Patrick Willis why he couldn’t. And Willis is the best in the game
I usually just read but...
January 11th, 2013
7:57 am
@One of the 12s I’ll be looking forward to seeing you here Monday. I just don’t think you’ll be back. Please, as a precaution, place yourself on a local suicide watch, if you’re not back Monday I will at least give a moment of silence to your memory.
@ Big Ray. You pretty much covered it all. Yep, you shut down the $h!t talkers like the Falcons gonna shut down the Seahawks.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 11th, 2013
8:49 am
All the so-called seahawks fans gotta come on a falcons blog, try’n to put in their 2 cents which is what it is, 2 cents. No desperation here, & you think you’re words measure up to the psyche of the falcon nation, man please, just water off a ducks back. Don’t worry how we feelin’, we feelin’ just fine, our team has a big chip on the shoulder, mad as heck, more focused than what you could ever dream of feel’n, The Atl is doin’ just fine. Keep bein’ the darlin’s to the national media, we love knockin’ down some Goliaths. Go gather up some soothing words on a seabass blog, you’d feel better. Many true Atl fans don’t worry about other team blogs, but if you feel good comin’ on this falcon blog help yourself, mabey gett’n some kind of self gratification I guess can be theraputic. Sheesh! Must be a cultural thing to mince words on another teams blog thinking, there, I typed in somethin’ that might scare em’, oh please. Have fun.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 11th, 2013
8:52 am
@I usually just read; @Big Ray; Good points; The trolls come on here thinkin’ we’re wierd, they need to check themselves at the door.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 11th, 2013
9:07 am
Thanks Phoebe for the insight; & naw I’m sure that particular Monday night GB game wasn’t the crux of seattle’s season, I do have much respects for the team, but I’ll defend the Falcons as much as anyone defends their teams. Seattle’s a good team, they have motivation, so does the red’nblack, should be a good game. Pull’n for em’. You Pull for your’s.
ASHCAN!!!!!!
January 11th, 2013
3:30 pm
Taking names.
Phoebe
January 12th, 2013
12:29 am
@Still Gritz Blitz’n – Thanks! I have a great respect for the Falcons as well. I am excited for the great game that it will be. I recognize that your team is underestimated and under-appreciated by the media. But the Seahawks definitely take you guys seriously and know that you possess a lot of great weapons and Ryan is a great efficient QB. It will be a dog fight and those are my favorite types of games to watch.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 13th, 2013
10:44 am
Phoebe; Just got back, I truely do appreciate you’re insight, & Russell Wilson seems to be a very admirable young man w/High character & truely a atheletic QB; He has much upside that’s gonna carry him for a very long time. I personally want to thank you for being a objective seahawk fan & this dialogue is very beneficial, because we support different teams as fans, we have common ground. I don’t like trash talkin’, but I try to defend the Homebase,city,&team, but I can tell you’re a person who is class, I have much respects for.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 13th, 2013
10:46 am
@Phoebe; The times gett’n close, I know you got to be excited for this game, I am.
Still Gritz Blitz'n
January 13th, 2013
10:48 am
May the best team win; We pull’n for ya hard Atl;