Dec 2, 2013
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
We already know what the strike against Russell Wilson has been about. It’s not worth mentioning anymore. Though it has absolutely nothing to do with his arm strength; mobility, presence in the huddle, late game comebacks, or leadership, it seems as though more attention has been placed on his fellow drafted QB’s , RG III and Luck. Russell Wilson still is the most underrated player in the NFL, much like another player who went under looked in his draft years before him.
Yes, it is very early to say so, but the similarities between Russell Wilson and Tom Brady are pretty interesting.
Wilson and Brady love a different pastime besides their own. Baseball.
Russell wavered between the NFL and MLB, and hypothetically may still play baseball, according to those close to him. Brady, like Wilson also was drafted out of high school to play baseball, while few offers trickled in to play quarterback at a top- level Division I football programs.
Both were uninterested in changing sports, or positions and after impressive showings at Michigan and Wisconsin. Both led their teams to bowl wins in college, both beat out other quarterbacks on the depth chart, and both were looking to make a splash at the NFL draft. Knowing what we know now, many NFL teams are still feeling that lump in their throat over their poor decision-making and scouting reports after losing out on possibly the two best quarterbacks playing in the NFL this season.
The biggest similarity that coaches can attest to is their leadership in the huddle. Both work incredibly hard in their preparation and conditioning, but players for either offense have been impressed with how each quarterback commands the huddle. Even in the early years with the Patriots, Brady’s teammates were impressed with how being low on the depth chart meant absolutely nothing to Brady, and that he was looking to beat out Drew Bledsoe for the starting position, simply by outplaying him. Wilson also was faced with the same obstacle, having to prove his worth going against recently signed Matt Flynn, who Seattle believed was their long-term starter. Starting as early as in rookie camp, Pete Carroll noticed that Wilson was already making strides ahead of Flynn, working with the starting receivers on his off days.
Needless to say, we know how they fared after being named the full time starter.
As of this past Sunday, we know both are playoff bound, and the only objective for both players is to win a Super Bowl for their team. They don’t care about their numbers, their contracts, or the questions being thrown at them. These two men are driven by winning and not concerned with their critics.
