Russell Wilson’s new show is one to cheer for and then forget
By Lee Vowell
Of course 12s all – or we all should – love Russell Wilson. He’s the guy who got so little help he scored every offensive touchdown for the Seahawks save one in 2017. But ESPN thinks Wilson could replace Jon Gruden as their quarterback guru. Or so it seems.
Russell Wilson is a very good-to-great NFL quarterback. Jon Gruden is a former and now current NFL head coach. Gruden was recently a quarterback guru on ESPN. Wilson might take his place full-time one day. Or ESPN gave him a try out to be, at least.
On Tuesday, Wilson debuted as the new Gruden on ESPN’s “QB2QB with Russell Wilson.” Wilson spoke with three hopeful quarterback draftees, and one running back, for the 2018 NFL Draft. Among the players were Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Penn State’s Shaquon Barkley, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph and Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett.
The difference between Gruden’s and Wilson’s shows may just be the difference in the personalities of the men themselves. Neither person is unlikable. But Gruden was much more the x’s and o’s of football. Wilson is Wilson. He’s the guy who shows up at Seattle Children’s Hospital and is himself with kids. Wilson is also himself with the soon-to-be draftees.
QB2QB with Russell Wilson (plus the one running back) is predicated on ESPN’s belief that you like Wilson. And we Seahawks fans should love Russell Wilson. And honestly, most other people should too. The Seattle quarterback seems like a nice guy. One worth giving the benefit of the doubt to.
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Still, Seahawks fans would probably much rather watch Russell Wilson does what he is great at: Scrambling around and making positive plays. Maybe Wilson will be a TV icon one day. But hopefully, for 12s at least, that is several years away.