Russell Wilson Question

[Pugger]

If he were 6'2 he'd go on day 1 or 2, but the fact that he can't see over the OL is kind of big.

Of course he played behind an O line that was bigger than the Packers' last season in Madison...

[Deputy Nutz]

Scouts are saying any where from round 3 to round 6. Scouts love his leadership and personality. They like the fact that he can throw through windows, good footwork. They don't like the fact that he is under 6 feet tall, but says he is already better than any other qb in the NFL that is under 6 feet. Better than Senneca Wallace. He completed 28 of 38 passes at the combine with 4 drops by receivers. Scouts did comment that he has a little arch on his passes, probably because he is short.

Some scouts won't draft him simply because he is short.

[Lurker64]

Of course he played behind an O line that was bigger than the Packers' last season in Madison...

And he really didn't throw that effectively from the pocket, most everything was a rollout or a bootleg. That sort of thing doesn't fly in the NFL.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I like Wilson. The height thing is overrated. I'd be happy if the Pack pick him up in the draft. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people with his playing ability.

[sharpe1027]

And he really didn't throw that effectively from the pocket, most everything was a rollout or a bootleg. That sort of thing doesn't fly in the NFL.

I watched every game and have to disagree. While he was good out of the pocket, I thought that he stayed in the pocket most of the time. Certainly not "most everything" was out of the pocket. I don't think he was ineffective from the pocket by any stretch of the imagination.

[bobblehead]

I like Wilson. The height thing is overrated. I'd be happy if the Pack pick him up in the draft. I think he's going to surprise a lot of people with his playing ability.

the height thing is overrated? Name me a successful QB under 6'. Drew Brees is right about 6' and he is the ONLY one that comes to mind under 6'2". I also think the size thing is overrated for OL. I am 5'10" and 200lbs., but I am sure I can man up to Clay.

[SkinBasket]

I watched every game and have to disagree. While he was good out of the pocket, I thought that he stayed in the pocket most of the time. Certainly not "most everything" was out of the pocket. I don't think he was ineffective from the pocket by any stretch of the imagination.

I agree. And because I do, you are right.

Amazing how Bielema could fuck up with the offensive set up we had this season, but fuck it he did. 1 great RB. 1 pretty damn good RB. Leaving a highly skilled QB with absolutely no pressure to produce. I guess when you only run like 5 plays all season defenses come prepared though.

[Deputy Nutz]

I don't think offense was the problem for the Badgers. I think it was on the other side of the football where the Badgers had problems.

[Cheesehead Craig]

the height thing is overrated? Name me a successful QB under 6'. Drew Brees is right about 6' and he is the ONLY one that comes to mind under 6'2". I also think the size thing is overrated for OL. I am 5'10" and 200lbs., but I am sure I can man up to Clay.

With pass protection it's about throwing lanes. If there's no lanes then QB's of any height have a problem.

He had to throw behind an OL that is bigger than the Packers and similar to many in the NFL. He seemed to have a pretty good season as I recall being one of the tops in pass efficiency and all, so the height issue seems to not be all that important.

You think OL are ok at 5'10" and 200lbs? I don't think I'm going to follow you on your thoughts on our OL then.

[packrulz]

I don't think you really have to draft a QB to be the future starter, if you draft a guy in the 5th or 6th round it's ok for him to be a career backup. As a coach I would have him do more seven step drops, shotgun plays, and rollouts if he's a bit short. I hope TT takes him in the 5th round, the guy is good, better than a lot of taller starting QB's like Tavarius Jackson.
Tom Oates column: UW's Wilson comes up short in NFL's eyes
By all accounts, Russell Wilson had a strong showing at the NFL draft combine.

The former University of Wisconsin quarterback impressed scouts on the field and off. He ran fast, threw accurately and showed NFL-caliber arm strength. He put his personality, dedication and football intelligence on display.

When it was over, though, Wilson hadn’t really changed his NFL profile. Scouts see him today much the same way they did after his one spectacular season at UW.

Their widely held view? He has everything you want in a starting NFL quarterback except height.

UW listed Wilson at 6-foot, but when he was measured at the combine, the truth came out. Wilson was 5-10 5⁄8 without shoes.

The NFL is a cruel world and the cold, hard facts for Wilson are that many teams will dismiss him based on that number alone and many others will consider him a career backup. I’m not saying that’s right or that Wilson won’t someday prove everyone wrong, but I am saying that’s the way the NFL scouts and coaches think.

Wilson has pointed out — correctly — that he is an extraordinary playmaker. Due to his stature, however, NFL types will doubt whether he can consistently make plays from the pocket.

Even in an era where a quarterback’s mobility is growing in importance, no team is willing to use a high draft pick on or entrust their future to a quarterback if they don’t think he can operate successfully in the pocket. Instead, they wonder whether he can see over a wall of linemen enough to read defenses.

Of course, no one has to sell Wilson’s virtues to anyone around here. He was a great player and leader at UW even though he didn’t see the playbook until July. But just as Wilson can’t change his stature, he is unlikely to change the minds of NFL scouts and coaches between now and the draft.

Don’t misunderstand that, there’s room for Wilson in the league. Seneca Wallace, who stands 5-11, has been a quality NFL backup for seven seasons and Wilson has better skills than he does. Some think Wilson could be an ideal backup for a long time. His quick release and over-the-top motion should help to overcome his height deficiencies and his athleticism would be a change of pace for defenses.
Unfortunately for Wilson, finding a team that considers him a potential starter won’t be easy. Most scouts and coaches believe 6-2 is the minimum magic number for a quarterback in the modern NFL offense.

Of course, there are exceptions — think Drew Brees — but for the most part the NFL wants tall quarterbacks who can stand in the pocket, survey defenses and fire rockets all over the field. A running component is preferred, but it’s not necessary. That makes it hard for shorter quarterbacks to succeed.

Doug Flutie, who was 5-9, played for a long time but completed less than 55 percent of his passes and bounced around to four teams. To find regular playing time, he had to go to the Canadian Football League in mid-career.

Wilson’s idol is Brees, which makes sense. Brees was one of four NFL quarterback starters under 6-2 last season and was the only one who played on a winning team.

When Brees was at the combine in 2001, he measured 5-11 7⁄8. He asked for a repeat measurement and it was a shade over 6-0. However, Brees is a rarity in the NFL, a quarterback with charisma, intelligence, instincts, nimble feet, arm strength and a lightning-quick release.

Wilson has many of the same traits, but even Brees was heavily doubted coming out of Purdue. Concerns over his height and arm strength caused him to drop to the second round in the draft. Even though he had played well in San Diego, the Chargers allowed him to leave in free agency. He didn’t become elite until he got to New Orleans and found an offense that fit his abilities.

Finding a good fit is everything for a shorter quarterback. NFL types believe such quarterbacks need special systems and the right kind of players around them whereas taller quarterbacks can make up for personnel deficiencies.

If a team does tailor its offense to a shorter, more mobile quarterback, what happens if he is injured and the backup is a stay-at-home pocket passer? Does the team have to change the offense in mid-stream?

Because most NFL coaches are neither risk-takers nor out-of-the-box thinkers, they are reluctant to commit to a quarterback who doesn’t fit their system. So even if Wilson has the talent to play at a winning NFL level, he still must convince someone he can thrive in their system.

Wilson will get his chance to start in the NFL, it just won’t come right away. He will probably be a mid- to late-round draft pick and settle into a backup role. At some point, the starter will falter or get hurt and Wilson will be thrown into the mix. Only then will we know whether his height is worthy of all the discussion it is generating now.

[Bretsky]

And he really didn't throw that effectively from the pocket, most everything was a rollout or a bootleg. That sort of thing doesn't fly in the NFL.

Not buying into this; I think he was solid from the pocket and outright scary when he broke it. I think the guy can make good money being a solid backup QB for a while

[Pugger]

the height thing is overrated? Name me a successful QB under 6'. Drew Brees is right about 6' and he is the ONLY one that comes to mind under 6'2". I also think the size thing is overrated for OL. I am 5'10" and 200lbs., but I am sure I can man up to Clay.

Doug Flutie. He was basically bypassed by the NFL and had a successful career in the CFL, winning 3 Grey Cups. In 1998 he played in Buffalo Bills, where he earned Pro Bowl and NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. He played for the San Diego Chargers from 2001 to 2004, and finished his career as a member of the New England Patriots in 2005.

[Patler]

the height thing is overrated? Name me a successful QB under 6'. Drew Brees is right about 6' and he is the ONLY one that comes to mind under 6'2". I also think the size thing is overrated for OL. I am 5'10" and 200lbs., but I am sure I can man up to Clay.

Doug Flutie. He was basically bypassed by the NFL and had a successful career in the CFL, winning 3 Grey Cups. In 1998 he played in Buffalo Bills, where he earned Pro Bowl and NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. He played for the San Diego Chargers from 2001 to 2004, and finished his career as a member of the New England Patriots in 2005.

I guess it depends on what is meant by "successful". Doug Flutie had a few highlights, for sure, but he never completed even 58% of his passes in a season in which he had appreciable playing time, and was under 55% for his NFL career. Had a very good CFL career, but nothing more than a backup in the NFL, even though he played several years as a starter. No team ever committed to him as a starter, he started due to circumstances. Talented enough to hang around as one of the better backups.

[sharpe1027]

There's almost none at 6' or less. Jeff Blake was successful for a time. He was listed between 6' and 6'1", but some articles suggested that he wasn't even that tall.

[Fosco33]

I heard he's a 5-6 rd projection. I dunno - I feel like he should be 3-4.

Great arm strength, very good vision, very elusive (extends plays, scrambles, can rush).

True - he'll probably be a back-up unless he gets a shot through injury - but the intangible quality of his leadership and will to win make up the 1-3 inches - imo.