3 things that could improve Russell Wilson's play

By Mark Thomas
Oct 27, 2010

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What's wrong with Russell Wilson? That's the main question I got following the East Carolina game. The NC State quarterback has guided his team to a 5-2 record, but the question on fan's minds is not what went right in the 5 wins. It's what went wrong in the 2 loses? And in those 2 loses, what was Russell Wilson thinking in the final drive of the first half against Virginia Tech. How can Russell throw that ball into coverage in overtime verses East Carolina. Russell Wilson has thrown 9 picks this year. Where's the guys who set an NCAA record of 379 passes without an interception? I can't answer the inopportune interception question against Tech or ECU for that matter. He made two very costly mistakes. However, there are some things Wilson can do from here forward to improve his play.

1- Play underneath the secondary- Another name for this is "compressing coverage." In the second game of the year against UCF Russell Wilson threw the ball 30 times. His pass attempts have gone up every game after that (CIN-40 GT-41 VT-49 BC-51 ECU-52). The more passes Wilson attempts the more defensive backs play deeper. If a safety's depth is 15 yards, he will tend to play at 18 against a guy who passes more. He then has a better shot at picking a pass when the plays in front of him as opposed to knocking it away when it's behind him. Running the ball more pulls those backs closer to the line of scrimmage allowing receivers the ability to get behind them more often.

Quick passes can also be a remedy. Throwing quick slant routes, crossing routes, and back angle routes underneath the secondary can compress coverage.

2-Get the ball to TE George Bryan- The 2009 first team All-ACC tight end George Bryan isn't getting as many looks this year. Wilson's ability to spread the ball out to 10 or 11 receivers a game is impressive. But getting the ball to a 6-6 270 pound target is free lunch. It's there for the taking. Don't just use Bryan as a safety valve on 3rd down. He also wears down linebacker's who have to bring him to the ground. Bootlegs is a great way to utilize the tight end, not to mention get Wilson on the edge.

3- Run Russell Run - The last thing HC Tom O'Brien wants is to see is Russell Wilson taking hits. The Colorado Rockies don't want to see it either. But when Wilson doesn't run the football, he takes away the one weapon that makes him unstoppable. He's one of the fastest players on the team. Wilson has got to run the ball sooner and more aggressively. The Virginia Tech play before half time is a great example. If he runs instead of flipping it in the end zone for a pick, you may be looking at a 6-1 football team.

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RE: 3 things that could improve Russell Wilson's play

Correction: ECU beat Marshall, then lost to a decent UCF team.

RE: 3 things that could improve Russell Wilson's play

The problem with ECU is someone forgot to tell them they were so bad on defense. Credit to them for that. They played inspired ball. Then lost their next game. Par for the course.

RE: 3 things that could improve Russell Wilson's play

Just curious Pack fans, has anyone been brave enough to ask TOB why he threw the ball 50 times versus ECU? Other ACC teams VT and UNC ran all over ECU with 250+ yards rushing each and wore ECU out in 2nd half of their respective games. I'm curious what his answer was to the question. We all know Wilson is good, but it appears he and Bible want to prove just how good he is opponent be darned.
- Posted by tdouble232323

Because passing is our strength. Rushing, not so much. ECU came into that game ranked well over 100th in the nation against the pass. I think they were almost as bad against the run. It wasn't a bad game plan. We just didn't execute. We dropped passes, missed tackles, etc. We looked like State teams from the last three years. And I think Russell was tentative to run the ball in that game, as well as in the first half of the FSU game. I say turn Russell loose and we will win ballgames. Give him the green light to run or pass as he sees fit.

RE: 3 things that could improve Russell Wilson's play

Not a bad showing on Thursday! O Back of the week!

RE: 3 things that could improve Russell Wilson's play

Wilson needs to run and get relaxed a tad. He needs to get some tough hits on his body. Loosen up. If he doesn't loosen up what is it? He is throwing some big picks lately. Wonder why?

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Mark Thomas