Who do you think will replace the leadership roles previously occupied by Wilson and Wagner? Whatever you thought about Wilson, he worked his ass off, and that commitment filtered through the team. Wilson's out front, in-your-face, commitment to success might have been as valuable as his right arm. Same with Bobby who is such an honest, steady, and principled guy who was commited to doing it the right way. On defense, the two safeties seem like logical leaders but on offense, none of the QBs seem like they have the level of intensity Wilson showed. Pete's a winner but we need a QB with that same mentality. Where do you all think we stand?
Wilson worked his butt off, true, and was a magnificent player, but there was something about him that just made it hard to....something. Like him? Empathise with him? I can’t put my finger on it, but the chanting of ‘Geno!’ when Smith came in against the Rams felt quite telling, as if here was a guy we could get behind! I don’t know, something has always felt a little off somehow.
So yeah, I think Smith could absolutely be that leader. But can his level of play grant him an extended opportunity?
Wilson seemed like a good guy, always super positive, hard working. There was a lot to like. But people are complex and there was a certain larger than life quality that could be hard to stomach. This is true of a lot of quarterbacks. The first one I remember, when I was 6, was Joe Namath who played for my hometown Jets. Really nice guy, charismatic, and a bit too full of himself.
My wife has a strong negative reaction to most NFL QBs. Probably because they remind her of arrogant guys she knew before we met. In other words, she brings her own trauma to the party. But I get where she's coming from. A lot of these guys present like All-American heros. Tom Brady in particular, though he's by no means alone. I found Wilson a bit easier to take, and I think my wife did too, because, while his parents were affluent, he was a person of color whose ancestors were slaves. Both she and I are conscious of our white privilege and we both realize that people of color face stiffer challenges.
By contrast, I found myself really rooting for Buffalo in the playoffs because Josh Allen struck me as a puppy. He seems so young, sweet and unspoiled. Completely unaffected, at least so far, by his star status. I'd love for our next QB to be just like Josh. Super talented and super down-to-earth, a rare combination. The anti-Mayfield, as Baker is not nearly as good as he thinks he is and he seems like a complex and troubled young man.
Joe Namath back in the day is what I want in a sports star. Gifted and getting away with it. Don’t get me wrong, I never saw Wilson advertising pizza, insurance or any any other bollocks in a commercial break and he has my undying respect for that - Mayfield’s skits are a facade for his otherwise unforeseen self-effacing side (no idea what he’s trying to sell), whilst Rogers and Mahomes can seriously just go and die down a well.
You know who I’m rooting for? People just to be themselves. There’s been one openly gay NFL player, and one openly gay association football (not saying soccer, just doing the international niceties) over here for an inordinate amount of time. So I’ll support them, and the Flat Earthers, even the bloody rifle nuts (okay not them) in the hope that one day the last door will be kicked in and a QB will be emboldened to come out and say he is actually an atheist.
So...Denver, while in the middle of selling the team, gives away huge future assets, for an aging QB expected to demand 50 mil a year while looking at age 40, and their fans are ecstatic? Makes no sense to me.
They don’t see it this way. To the Denver owners, Wilson is a $250M asset who will increase the value of the team to bidders. This is about TV ratings and making the team relevant, not the age of the QB. Look at it this way: a 40-year old Russell Wilson is a lot more more interesting to bidders than Teddy Bridgewater at any age.
I had a '69 T-bird when I was younger. Man, I loved that car. Problem was, it started to nickle and dime me to death so I had to part with it. It was immensely valuable. Just not always reliable. I wish Russ well. There are a bunch of new big game hunters in that division looking to hang him on their wall. My apologies in advance for mixing metaphors!
In context of their struggles to find a franchise QB, made all the more glaring by John Elway leading the team, I think it makes a lot of sense. Wilson has been extraordinarily durable, takes care of his body, and he's a smart guy. Nobody knows how he will age but I'd have to think he'll do well. I think his celeberity got in the way of his career but going to Denver instead of LA or New York is telling. Ten years is a long time with a coach, it was time for a change.
Plus, the QB situation can a lot worse than an aging Russell Wilson. Heck, at least Miami had Dan Marino. Take a look at the QB histories of the Bears and the pre-Stafford Lions:
I completely agree with that. Being slightly older myself (laughs), I also know the pains of losing a step or two. It's a little tougher to come back at 39 than when you were 29. It might be that very celebrity that keeps him around even as his skills diminish. He might be a lot easier to catch!
I'm pleased with the trade. Wilson was great but he was losing his speed and elusiveness, which made the team ever more reliant on a strong running game. Wilson threw the best deep ball I've ever seen. So consistent, so accurate, perfect touch. His late-game heroics were astounding. But he's going to have to find ways to compensate for the loss of quickness.
Seattle will absolutely feel his loss. But we couldn't rebuild without trading him, we weren't in position to have a deep playoff run with him and, most of all, he wanted out. Can't let a guy like that walk without getting real value in return.
Now the trick will be finding a competent QB. Easier said than done. So much hinges on finding the right one.
Yeah . Everything said about Waldon in the last off-season was tempo tempo tempo . I saw it in the opener against Indy and was impressed. Then more often than not , Wilson started pulling it down on quick 3 steps and skipping TEs for the deep ball. Time of possession tanked . I began to wonder if defenses stayed in 2 and 3 deep cover ( even on short downs ) counting on Wilson not having the patience ?
Not signing up for a bank-busting contract for a great player, but one that I can't help but think is on the decline? Yeah that's a win, especially since Wilson's window of greatness probably closes before we can field a championship team around him.
Side note, I think you forgot Tariq Woolen as the 5th rounder we got. But then you have to consider the DT they got with 4th we gave them and now everything is all messy.
Say Kenneth - I have been telling people all along that the trade was a Big benefit to the Hawks for that very reason. Add in players and pics and we did very well. The 'Let it Ride' roster was Not going to win a championship. Having a Great QB is awesome, but NOWHERE as legit as having a near great QB on a rookie deal! Hopefully that second draft into this strategy they find that.
Another home run article, Kenneth! Some thoughts, since you are kind enough to allow us.
I voiced my displeasure with the Russell Wilson trade in these comment sections plenty when it happened, but I'm less and less bothered by it as time goes on. Maybe even "happy" now that I know he wanted out (and a $50M annual starting point for an extension). It's worth mentioning that if you want some bad entertainment, watch some of the videos he's doing with the Broncos with Manning and Elway. They're as cringe-worthy as Mr. Unlimited. Maybe more, but perhaps I feel that way because he's not on our team now.
Agree very much on your thoughts on Spotify/Joe Rogan and Netflix/Chapelle. It was the best advertising their money could have bought. I visit Facebook once a month just because I have a page for my pet supply store, and it's always interesting when I open it and see my feed. Sure enough, people were posting that they had cancelled Spotify and I couldn't help but think that their attempt to "virtue signal" (I dislike that term but sometimes it applies) was really more of a "free marketing" signal.
I've never found George Carlin that funny. I do find him wise and appreciate his craft. He's just not someone that makes me laugh 10x a minute like Chapelle at his peak, Bill Burr, and others have. Still, he's a guy who I listen to when he talks, and won't skip over a bit even if I've heard it. He was quite hung up on changing language and I bet he'd lose his mind if living in current times. I'd love to hear his rants on language and the meaning of words these days. My wife used to work in mental health and even their accepted terms for medical diagnoses had their names change over and over in the time she did this.
On the subject of a quarterback for 2022, my thought remains that we need a much better one than we have. It's going to be a substantial downgrade from Russ no matter who is signed, but it doesn't need to be a mid-tier backup running the offense.
Who do you think will replace the leadership roles previously occupied by Wilson and Wagner? Whatever you thought about Wilson, he worked his ass off, and that commitment filtered through the team. Wilson's out front, in-your-face, commitment to success might have been as valuable as his right arm. Same with Bobby who is such an honest, steady, and principled guy who was commited to doing it the right way. On defense, the two safeties seem like logical leaders but on offense, none of the QBs seem like they have the level of intensity Wilson showed. Pete's a winner but we need a QB with that same mentality. Where do you all think we stand?
Wilson worked his butt off, true, and was a magnificent player, but there was something about him that just made it hard to....something. Like him? Empathise with him? I can’t put my finger on it, but the chanting of ‘Geno!’ when Smith came in against the Rams felt quite telling, as if here was a guy we could get behind! I don’t know, something has always felt a little off somehow.
So yeah, I think Smith could absolutely be that leader. But can his level of play grant him an extended opportunity?
Wilson seemed like a good guy, always super positive, hard working. There was a lot to like. But people are complex and there was a certain larger than life quality that could be hard to stomach. This is true of a lot of quarterbacks. The first one I remember, when I was 6, was Joe Namath who played for my hometown Jets. Really nice guy, charismatic, and a bit too full of himself.
My wife has a strong negative reaction to most NFL QBs. Probably because they remind her of arrogant guys she knew before we met. In other words, she brings her own trauma to the party. But I get where she's coming from. A lot of these guys present like All-American heros. Tom Brady in particular, though he's by no means alone. I found Wilson a bit easier to take, and I think my wife did too, because, while his parents were affluent, he was a person of color whose ancestors were slaves. Both she and I are conscious of our white privilege and we both realize that people of color face stiffer challenges.
By contrast, I found myself really rooting for Buffalo in the playoffs because Josh Allen struck me as a puppy. He seems so young, sweet and unspoiled. Completely unaffected, at least so far, by his star status. I'd love for our next QB to be just like Josh. Super talented and super down-to-earth, a rare combination. The anti-Mayfield, as Baker is not nearly as good as he thinks he is and he seems like a complex and troubled young man.
Joe Namath back in the day is what I want in a sports star. Gifted and getting away with it. Don’t get me wrong, I never saw Wilson advertising pizza, insurance or any any other bollocks in a commercial break and he has my undying respect for that - Mayfield’s skits are a facade for his otherwise unforeseen self-effacing side (no idea what he’s trying to sell), whilst Rogers and Mahomes can seriously just go and die down a well.
You know who I’m rooting for? People just to be themselves. There’s been one openly gay NFL player, and one openly gay association football (not saying soccer, just doing the international niceties) over here for an inordinate amount of time. So I’ll support them, and the Flat Earthers, even the bloody rifle nuts (okay not them) in the hope that one day the last door will be kicked in and a QB will be emboldened to come out and say he is actually an atheist.
Not holding my breath, mind.
So...Denver, while in the middle of selling the team, gives away huge future assets, for an aging QB expected to demand 50 mil a year while looking at age 40, and their fans are ecstatic? Makes no sense to me.
A bit odd!
They don’t see it this way. To the Denver owners, Wilson is a $250M asset who will increase the value of the team to bidders. This is about TV ratings and making the team relevant, not the age of the QB. Look at it this way: a 40-year old Russell Wilson is a lot more more interesting to bidders than Teddy Bridgewater at any age.
I had a '69 T-bird when I was younger. Man, I loved that car. Problem was, it started to nickle and dime me to death so I had to part with it. It was immensely valuable. Just not always reliable. I wish Russ well. There are a bunch of new big game hunters in that division looking to hang him on their wall. My apologies in advance for mixing metaphors!
In context of their struggles to find a franchise QB, made all the more glaring by John Elway leading the team, I think it makes a lot of sense. Wilson has been extraordinarily durable, takes care of his body, and he's a smart guy. Nobody knows how he will age but I'd have to think he'll do well. I think his celeberity got in the way of his career but going to Denver instead of LA or New York is telling. Ten years is a long time with a coach, it was time for a change.
Plus, the QB situation can a lot worse than an aging Russell Wilson. Heck, at least Miami had Dan Marino. Take a look at the QB histories of the Bears and the pre-Stafford Lions:
Bears: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chicago_Bears_starting_quarterbacks
Lions: https://americanfootballdatabase.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Detroit_Lions_starting_quarterbacks
I completely agree with that. Being slightly older myself (laughs), I also know the pains of losing a step or two. It's a little tougher to come back at 39 than when you were 29. It might be that very celebrity that keeps him around even as his skills diminish. He might be a lot easier to catch!
I'm pleased with the trade. Wilson was great but he was losing his speed and elusiveness, which made the team ever more reliant on a strong running game. Wilson threw the best deep ball I've ever seen. So consistent, so accurate, perfect touch. His late-game heroics were astounding. But he's going to have to find ways to compensate for the loss of quickness.
Seattle will absolutely feel his loss. But we couldn't rebuild without trading him, we weren't in position to have a deep playoff run with him and, most of all, he wanted out. Can't let a guy like that walk without getting real value in return.
Now the trick will be finding a competent QB. Easier said than done. So much hinges on finding the right one.
Yeah . Everything said about Waldon in the last off-season was tempo tempo tempo . I saw it in the opener against Indy and was impressed. Then more often than not , Wilson started pulling it down on quick 3 steps and skipping TEs for the deep ball. Time of possession tanked . I began to wonder if defenses stayed in 2 and 3 deep cover ( even on short downs ) counting on Wilson not having the patience ?
Yes, I don't know the cause but it didn't seem like we were taking what teams were giving us. After that first game.
Not signing up for a bank-busting contract for a great player, but one that I can't help but think is on the decline? Yeah that's a win, especially since Wilson's window of greatness probably closes before we can field a championship team around him.
Side note, I think you forgot Tariq Woolen as the 5th rounder we got. But then you have to consider the DT they got with 4th we gave them and now everything is all messy.
I didn't forget, it's just not worth mentioning because of the pick swap.
Say Kenneth - I have been telling people all along that the trade was a Big benefit to the Hawks for that very reason. Add in players and pics and we did very well. The 'Let it Ride' roster was Not going to win a championship. Having a Great QB is awesome, but NOWHERE as legit as having a near great QB on a rookie deal! Hopefully that second draft into this strategy they find that.
Another home run article, Kenneth! Some thoughts, since you are kind enough to allow us.
I voiced my displeasure with the Russell Wilson trade in these comment sections plenty when it happened, but I'm less and less bothered by it as time goes on. Maybe even "happy" now that I know he wanted out (and a $50M annual starting point for an extension). It's worth mentioning that if you want some bad entertainment, watch some of the videos he's doing with the Broncos with Manning and Elway. They're as cringe-worthy as Mr. Unlimited. Maybe more, but perhaps I feel that way because he's not on our team now.
Agree very much on your thoughts on Spotify/Joe Rogan and Netflix/Chapelle. It was the best advertising their money could have bought. I visit Facebook once a month just because I have a page for my pet supply store, and it's always interesting when I open it and see my feed. Sure enough, people were posting that they had cancelled Spotify and I couldn't help but think that their attempt to "virtue signal" (I dislike that term but sometimes it applies) was really more of a "free marketing" signal.
I've never found George Carlin that funny. I do find him wise and appreciate his craft. He's just not someone that makes me laugh 10x a minute like Chapelle at his peak, Bill Burr, and others have. Still, he's a guy who I listen to when he talks, and won't skip over a bit even if I've heard it. He was quite hung up on changing language and I bet he'd lose his mind if living in current times. I'd love to hear his rants on language and the meaning of words these days. My wife used to work in mental health and even their accepted terms for medical diagnoses had their names change over and over in the time she did this.
On the subject of a quarterback for 2022, my thought remains that we need a much better one than we have. It's going to be a substantial downgrade from Russ no matter who is signed, but it doesn't need to be a mid-tier backup running the offense.