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Bryant's avatar

I loved watching Russ in his early Seahawks years. He was competent, entertaining, and had that “it” factor killer instinct, refuse to lose mentality. I suspect some of that came from huge confidence in his own abilities and a chip on his shoulder from being undervalued due to his height.

Whatever it was, he used that attitude to bring the greatest decade in Seahawks history.

Unfortunately, in true Greek tragedy tradition, he let his success feed his own ego and diminished the assistance provided by his teammates. This led to turmoil in Hawk land and the eventual trade to Denver where his hubris led to his undoing.

I don’t think he ever realized how much PC was protecting him from himself. Once he lost his shield and worked with other coaches his weaknesses were magnified while his strengths diminished.

I can’t bring myself to pity him since he is about $200 million richer than me, has Ciara, a SB ring etc. But it is sad to see a player who was arguably the most popular athlete in Seattle history brought so low so quickly.

He might still have a successful third act somewhere as his stats this year aren’t bad, but it will never be what it could have been.

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KHammarling's avatar

Until one of these trade away teams wins the superbowl, the league won't pay attention. Right now the working methods are, A) Have Pat Mahomes (Chiefs 2 rings), B) Have vet "franchise" QB with stacked teams around them (Rams, Buccs, Broncos), C) Have Tom Brady (Buccs, Pats all the rings), D) Have rookie QB playing at high level surrounded with talent (Eagles, Seahawks). That covers off the last decade of Superbowls.

The 'trade franchise QB and rebuild' strategy is producing improvements for some teams currently. But none of them have won it. As of yet, none have even made the big game. I'd love to see it happen and shake up the NFL structure but I also can't see a team like the 'Hawks or Lions or Packers doing it. Not until they reset with a rookie QB, at which point they are just back to Option D teams. So yeah, please PC/JS draft a rookie QB and surround them with talent, it's our best route back to the superbowl.

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