Patriots Recognize Challenge of Facing Russell Wilson
By Lucas Frankel
Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson can beat you in a variety of different ways. He can do it through the air, and if you’re not careful, he can beat you with his legs.
His multi-faceted attack has been exactly what the doctor ordered for the Seahawks, who are now gunning for the franchise’s 2nd consecutive Super Bowl championship. Seattle is looking to become the first team since the 2003-2004 Patriots to accomplish such a feat.
Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower said Wilson is at his best when he has the freedom to move outside the pocket.
“He does a really good job as far as extending plays outside the pocket, not always looking to run the ball,” Hightower said. “His skill players do a great job as far as working with him whenever he’s in trouble, breaking off routes and getting open. Whether it’s (Jermaine) Kearse, Luke Wilson, (Ricardo) Lockette, or (Kevin) Norwood, I feel like they do a really good job of getting open.”
Wilson led the league in rushing yards for a quarterback with 849, over 200 more than the next closest quarterback. He also set a career high with 3,475 passing yards.
Patriots Cornerback Kyle Arrington said the key for Wilson is the chemistry he has with his wide receivers.
“He’s so elusive and he evades well within the pocket,” Arrington said. “He’s not really looking to scramble all the time, but most times he’s looking to throw it deep. You can tell his receivers are on the same page so they know where to be.”
The Patriots’ only previous experience with Wilson was not a pleasant one. In October of 2012, Wilson connected with Sidney Rice with 1:18 left to spark Seattle to a stunning 24-23 win after trailing by 13 points in the 4th quarter.
New England will be hoping for a different result come Super Bowl Sunday.
His multi-faceted attack has been exactly what the doctor ordered for the Seahawks, who are now gunning for the franchise’s 2nd consecutive Super Bowl championship. Seattle is looking to become the first team since the 2003-2004 Patriots to accomplish such a feat.
Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower said Wilson is at his best when he has the freedom to move outside the pocket.
“He does a really good job as far as extending plays outside the pocket, not always looking to run the ball,” Hightower said. “His skill players do a great job as far as working with him whenever he’s in trouble, breaking off routes and getting open. Whether it’s (Jermaine) Kearse, Luke Wilson, (Ricardo) Lockette, or (Kevin) Norwood, I feel like they do a really good job of getting open.”
Wilson led the league in rushing yards for a quarterback with 849, over 200 more than the next closest quarterback. He also set a career high with 3,475 passing yards.
Patriots Cornerback Kyle Arrington said the key for Wilson is the chemistry he has with his wide receivers.
“He’s so elusive and he evades well within the pocket,” Arrington said. “He’s not really looking to scramble all the time, but most times he’s looking to throw it deep. You can tell his receivers are on the same page so they know where to be.”
The Patriots’ only previous experience with Wilson was not a pleasant one. In October of 2012, Wilson connected with Sidney Rice with 1:18 left to spark Seattle to a stunning 24-23 win after trailing by 13 points in the 4th quarter.
New England will be hoping for a different result come Super Bowl Sunday.