When Russell 1st arrived in Seattle, he executed the same style of quarterback play that allowed him so much success in his college career and that translated to as much or even greater success in the NFL.
I have maintained that had Russell not been so easily misguided by the ego inflating influences of NFL’s social media pundits, who regularly create their hero’s only to destroy them when they fail to achieve the hype that is heaped upon them.
Russell was inordinately dependent on Christianity, often time expressing that he was a vessel that God empowered and ordained Russell for NFL greatness that he was genuinely willing to give credit for any and all of his successes.
That mindset coupled with the non stop ego inflating social media blitz “Let Russ Cook” mantra, Russell didn’t have a chance.
With a Super Bowl Championship under his belt, his ego inflated and his religious delusions only made it more difficult for anyone to bring him back to earth.
Russell was convinced that he had been ordained by God to win multiple Super Bowl Championships, and in turn give all glory to God in return.
It was at this point in Russell’s career that he abandoned everything that had allowed to succeed as a quarterback and fell hook line and sinker for the Pocket Passing Let Russ Cook delusion and the rest is history.
Convinced that he was destined by way of divine intervention, could succeed where no undersized quarterback before him had, as a pocket passer phenom of the likes of Montana, Brady, Elway and Young.
The more that others around him tried to rein him in the more head strong, defensive and defensive that Russ became.
So much so that Russell attempted at one point to approach Jody Allen and insist that both Pete Carroll and John Schneider be fired and replaced with persons that would support Russ’s delusions of being an elite pocket passer and would not insist that he return to his former winning style of play.
Jody Allen, being grounded in reality, notified John and Pete of her encounter with Russell and his state of mind.
John and Pete did what anyone in their positions would and quickly facilitated Russell’s exodus, sending him to the Denver Broncos in what was a rewarding trade agreement.
It took less than a full season for the Bronco’s to discover that Russell was not capable of commanding their offense as he was and hired a new head coach that would humble Russ when others had failed, insisting that Russell return to the playing style that had led to his success in college and in his early NFL career.
While Russ did make that effort, it was painfully evident to all that his youth had passed him by and while his game was much improved, he was no longer able to move with the speed and agility that had once frustrated defenses and presented him with amazing opportunities and sensational plays.
The present day Russell Wilson, recently signed as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants, while evidedencing the occasional glimpses of Russell of old, are only seen every now and again.
It’s painfully obvious to those that have followed Russell Wilson throughout his career, now notice that Russell is only a shell of himself, his glory days now behind him.
As was the case with Geno Smith. I recognized the decline in Russell’s game and the futility in pretending that he would ever be the Russell that had given the Seahawks their first and only Super Bowl Championship.
It was the same case with Russell as it was with Geno.
I’ve never shied away from telling things the way I see them.
As in the cases of both Geno Smith and Russell Wilson, my audiences were less than receptive to the sharing of my perspectives and I was regularly met by animosity, hateful rhetoric and accusations.
Those of us courageous enough to speak our minds and break ranks with those fans, who would confuse blind loyalty and a willingness to engage in mass denial of painful truths, as being the qualifying criteria that “Real Seahawks Fans” must adhere to or risk being ostracized and branded as a traitor.
This would be comical if it weren’t true.
To their credit there were some brave souls, determined that they would not be intimidated into silence or from speaking the truth as the saw it.
Those that persisted in speaking truth to lies and rejected the willingness to reject the scapegoating of the innocents or advance the denial and excuses readily extended to both Russell or Geno, knew well in advance, that they would chased down by perspective, Geno Smith or Russell Wilson, vigilantly committee’s and endure a seemingly endless barrage of insults and abuses, followed by a list of unfollowed, banded, and some even reporting their posts as having violated some forum or blog rule by not adhering to or agreeing with what amounted to complete bullshit.
While I am to be counted amongst the growing number of 12vs who are reinvigorated with the departure of Geno Smith and the arrival of Sam Darnold, rest assured that I will not hesitate to speak openly and honestly when engaging in discussions regarding Sam Darnold or any other Seahawks player or coach, for that matter.
I had a fair number of fellow 12vs refollow and unblock me after the Russell Wilson Trade, acknowledging that while they were not willing to hear the truth when I spoke it, that they were later able to see that I was right in what I said.
That is not to insinuate or suggest that I’m right about everything I speak to, or that my version of the truth is the only one.
It is a statement that attest to the fact that I am always sharing the truth as I understand it.
You’ll discover that I’m faster to admit when I’m wrong or mistaken than I am to defend my opinions or positions on various matters.
If an apology is due, you won’t have to ask for it.
Once I recognize it’s in order. I don’t have an aversion to humility or a need to defend the indefensible.
