Is Russell Wilson Overrated?
With all of the hype surrounding North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson's transfer to Wisconsin, you'd think that the Badgers had just acquired some combination of Michael Vick and Peyton Manning. It's fair to say that he looks like an upgrade over the other Wisconsin signal callers. Still, does he automatically make the Badgers the favorite to win the Big Ten?
The Talent
Clearly Wilson is a talented athlete. He amassed some gaudy statistics at North Carolina State, even if the overall record for the team in his three years was fairly pedestrian. The team finished 6-7 in 2008, then 5-7 in 2009, before finally going 9-4 his third and final year as a starter. Sure, the team that surrounded him was not the equal of Wisconsin's. But if he's such an unstoppable athlete, why was his team outscored so many times?
Chemistry
Wilson didn't get the benefit of even a set of spring practices with the team he'll be joining. Yet, some seem to believe that he'll instantly blend with his new team. But might there be some loyalties to the quarterbacks that have paid their dues? For that matter, will his teammates even like him? Remember, this is a guy that could have remained with a team he'd spent four years with, but instead chose to head elsewhere. Is that the behavior of a loyal teammate? And what about timing with his receivers? How long will it take the offensive line to get accustomed to his movement? How long will he need to master the playbook? Nebraska may be glad that they face the Badgers so early in the season.
Health
Nebraska fans know all too well how hard it can be to keep a running quarterback healthy. Taylor Martinez looked all world midway through last season. Then one injury and he wasn't the same player. For that matter, even a stationary player like one-year transfer like Sam Keller couldn't stay healthy. Wilson will take a lot of hits this season. It's no given that he'll be able to get up after each one.
Bringing a veteran and productive player into the fold for Wisconsin is a no-brainer. Wilson has the potential to be a dual threat player at quarterback the likes of which the Badgers have never seen. But that doesn't automatically make them an 11-win team next year. Ohio State held the Wolverines led by Denard Robinson to just seven points last year. And Robinson was not only a better runner but a more accurate passer. It's not hard to imagine Wisconsin having a good season with Wilson this year. But they are replacing a 73 percent passer with a 58 percent thrower who's got to get to know a new offense and new receivers. Don't make those reservations for Indianapolis just yet.
Ankeny, IA
6/28/2011
It’s not a given, that’s for sure.
Can someone spare me the time of researching this?... How can Wilson even play this year? Doesn’t the NCAA require Div 1 transfers to sit out a year?
Kansas City, MO
6/28/2011
Apparently he was released from scholarship, just dropped by NC State, because he wanted to play summer baseball. I guess it’s not a transfer. It’s like getting fired. He’s also apparently going to have to return some a of a baseball signing bonus as well. Found at Sporting News.
6/28/2011
Pretty sure he’s already graduated which allows him to transfer and play immediately without sitting out a year.
Ankeny, IA
6/28/2011
Thanks guys.
6/28/2011
It seems odd that this player can just transfer to a different school and be able to play that same year. Even if it is like being fired it doesn’t seem appropriate. I wonder if this is going to open up Pandora’s box for other players. Should be bash Wisconsin for getting excited about Wilson playing their this season? NO. How about we let them enjoy Wilson’s enrollment. We’ll meet Wilson on the football field and see just how good Wisconsin is with him at QB.
6/28/2011
To answer the question in your headline… yes. I think so.
Is he a good player and a better quarterback than UW currently has available? Yes, absolutely.
But, he’s not like some “world beater” that makes them a conference or national title contender by just being on the field.
He’s a good quarterback. They are likely better with him. How MUCH better just depends on a lot of variables - health, learning system and developing chemistry, how he is used, the talent around him, etc.
Now is not a time for panic by any means.
6/28/2011
It has nothing to do with him being “fired”. He can play because he is graduated and the school he is transferring to offers a master’s degree that NC State doesn’t. So instead of him having to sit another year, he acts like he wants to go in a new direction with his degree. Most of the time I am sure this isn’t true.
6/28/2011
I’m just glad someone else is being talked about as the Big Ten favorite. Nebraska has a big enough target on their backs with joining the new conference…all they hype about being a default favorite was making me nervous. Now the pressure can move to someone else…there will be high expectations for this guy and it’ll be a lot different playing at Wisconsin for him. Personally, I’d rather they have all the hype and let Nebraska fly a little more under the radar leading up to the showdown in Madison.
6/30/2011
I am confused by Mase’s implication that Nebraska is somehow a favorite to take the Big 10? Really? Someone has lost their grip on reality. A winning season perhaps… the Big 10 Tile? Cmon guys get a grip… any team in the Big 10 can beat Nebraska on any given weekend. These schools are not Iowa State or Kansas. To believe you can waltz into a new conference with new styles of play, limited team information, and general population schock belies a considerable arrogance. It’s gonna be a long tough season.
Kansas City, MO
6/30/2011
Arrogance? You mean like coming onto an opposing team’s blog and telling them what they should be called now? ;-)
As for Mase’s implication, it’s one shared by national media. Preseason consensus so far on Stassen indicates we’re favored to win our division, giving us just as good a shot as any team to win the conference.
http://preseason.stassen.com/consensus/2011.html#big-ten
7/23/2011
wilson unfortunately did not play defense. why didnt the team that led the conference in scoring win more than 5 games in his sophmore season, again led the conference in scoring in his junior season only to see the defense continue to be very average. this guy is going to stun you with his ability to score point in a variety of ways. with a solid running attack behind him i expect him to lead the big ten in both yardage and points. just my opinion.