Russell Wilson, Peyton Manning and the evolution of the black quarterback

[Nzinga]

Russell Wilson Becomes Second African-American QB to Win Super Bowl

Posted: <time datetime="2014-02-04T10:47:52-05:00"> 02/04/2014 10:47 am EST </time> Updated: <time datetime="2014-02-04T10:43:54-05:00"> 02/04/2014 10:43 am EST </time>
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Russell Wilson Peyton Manning NFL Denver Broncos Super Bowl Pete Carroll Seattle Seahawks Sports News


Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson stated, "Separation is in the preparation."
When the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos into submission on Super Bowl Sunday by a margin of 43-8 it sent a strong statement around the league. The Seahawks quarterback, while small in stature, played bigger than his competitor Peyton Manning.
While Manning played spectacular during the regular season, once again he came up short when it mattered most. In the playoffs he sports a career record of 11-12 all-time. Manning now is 1-2 in Super Bowls. He's also lost eight times in the first round of the playoffs.
Manning was the runaway MVP of the NFL this past season. He was lauded for his preparation and passing but was outperformed by someone who, not only did his homework, but stayed after class to do it. Manning simply looked unsettled and was overtaken by the gravity of the moment.
Wilson is largely the antithesis of Manning. Wilson stands five feet, 10 inches. He's 25-years young. Wilson just completed his second season as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Including the playoffs, Wilson has a 28-9 record. His skill set is diverse because he can make plays with his legs as well as his strong arm.
After each whistle blows on offense you don't have to look far to find Manning because he will be in the pocket. The 16-year veteran stands six feet, five inches. He's not very fleet of foot with limited athletic ability. Manning gets rid of the ball quickly as he scours defenses to find an open receiver to cover up for his limited mobility.
When Wilson walked off the field yesterday evening he was a Super Bowl champion. He also has as many rings as Manning in just his second season.
Wilson also became the second African-American to lead a team to Super Bowl. The first was Doug Williams in 1988. Unlike Wilson, Williams was named Super Bowl MVP.
Speaking of MVP, in my opinion Wilson should be going to Disney World instead of Malcolm Smith. Based on the game I saw I firmly believe Wilson was the best quarterback and player on the field. One could plausibly argue Percy Harvin as a close second.
Wilson completed 18-24 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He converted key passes down the field and made several plays with his legs to extend key drives. The second-year player showed the poise of a veteran in leading his team to the promised with his arm and legs.
I believe Wilson was snubbed by voters. Snubbing Wilson is a way of the NFL attempting to diminish what's manifesting before our eyes. Handing him the award would have been further admission there's a changing of the guard taking place at the quarterback position and how it will be played in the future.
For decades it was embraced in NFL front offices a quarterback with Wilson's skill set and complexion would never win a Super Bowl. The gold standard is to build franchises around tall white quarterbacks who live in the pocket who will also serve as the face of the franchise.
Historically African-American quarterbacks have been slighted for their athletic prowess. Negative stereotypes were utilized to justify not giving them genuine opportunities to thrive.
When I saw Wilson performing last night I thought of 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward. Ward was snubbed by the NFL. He went undrafted despite leading his team to a National Championship. Ward and Wilson have very similar skill sets. Like Wilson, Ward was slighted because of his height and his arm strength was questioned by NFL scouts.
Wilson faced similar scrutiny coming out of college. He fell to the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but with head coach Pete Carroll having an open mind he took a chance on Wilson that many would not.
Carroll boldly handed the keys over to Wilson to let him drive the team because he didn't see color: He saw a quarterback in Wilson who gave them the best chance to win despite what some others may have thought.
For all change that ultimately manifests, no matter the domain, it must go through a process where others will be denied before "the one" finally emerges. When "the one" arrives it slams the door shut on negative stereotypes and antiquated methods of evaluating talent by opening the doors for others to succeed.
While I have a lot of respect for the Peyton Mannings, Tom Bradys and Drew Brees of the world the time has officially arrived that will force teams to evaluate the quarterback position differently moving forward.
Now that Wilson did what Colin Kaepernick was not able to do in last year's Super Bowl, hopefully we can put to rest that versatile African-American quarterbacks cannot win the big game.

 

[The G.O.A.T.]

Because it's better show these cac's than to tell them.

 

[slam]

When I saw Wilson performing last night I thought of 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward. Ward was snubbed by the NFL. He went undrafted despite leading his team to a National Championship. Ward and Wilson have very similar skill sets. Like Wilson, Ward was slighted because of his height and his arm strength was questioned by NFL scouts.

still a travesty....


charlie would`ve been great....oh well he had a long & productive NBA career...

 

[woodchuck]

Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson got 'em butt hurt right now!

 

[LegalMoney]

Man listen... If Cam or Kaep get a receiver like Megatron, Gordon, Cruz?!

We about to witness a dynasty like no other, a Black QB will probably be in the next three Super Bowls.

 

[Djmarkxr7]

When I saw Wilson performing last night I thought of 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward. Ward was snubbed by the NFL. He went undrafted despite leading his team to a National Championship. Ward and Wilson have very similar skill sets. Like Wilson, Ward was slighted because of his height and his arm strength was questioned by NFL scouts.
Wilson faced similar scrutiny coming out of college. He fell to the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but with head coach Pete Carroll having an open mind he took a chance on Wilson that many would not.

still a travesty....


charlie would`ve been great....oh well he had a long & productive NBA career...

WHOA, let's clarify that, Charlie Ward stated that unless he was drafted IN THE FIRST ROUND, he would NOT play football, he would opt for the NBA instead, while racism was the norm back then, keep in mind that Joe Montana wasn't drafted until the 3rd round (just like Wilson) and even Gino Torretta (who wasn't as good) won the Heisman, two National Championships, but wasn't drafted until the 7th round despite being 6'2", scouts like what they like (and of course, some are QUITE racist) but scouts are indeed QUITE wrong @ times, most notably Tom Brady, who didn't go until the 5th round!

I also have no doubt that Warren Moon would have a ring if he played in the NFL his entire career, but I guess 5 Grey Cup Championships and being the ONLY man in BOTH the CFL & NFL HOFs will have to do!

 

[woodchuck]

WHOA, let's clarify that, Charlie Ward stated that unless he was drafted IN THE FIRST ROUND, he would NOT play football, he would opt for the NBA instead,

Are you sure about that? I thought he said that if he's drafted, he's playing QB, and that's it. I don't think it had to be in the first, but as usual, I could be wrong.

 

[Tha Great Muta]

The black QB has taken over. A good example is actually Nick Marshall. Recruited as a DB at Georgia and almost lead the Tigers to a national championship. Some Willie Beaman shit

 

[dtownsfinest]

I like how everyone credits the "black qb" but not the black defensive players. I guess you can't have both. Its time to bring up the black qb and to belittle the most dominant performance EVER in the Super Bowl by a defense against the highest scoring team of all time. Boy oh boy........and I like how nobody even gives Bridgewater a chance......guess he's not "fast" enough.

 

[WhenTheGoingGetsTtuff]

lol why is armstrength always thrown out there yet i've seen him throw deep balls - and i've seen him throw balls on a fuckin rope.

What wasn't he doin in college? at the combine? That all of a sudden he does in the NFL?

 

[woodchuck]

I like how everyone credits the "black qb" but not the black defensive players. I guess you can't have both. Its time to bring up the black qb and to belittle the most dominant performance EVER in the Super Bowl by a defense against the highest scoring team of all time. Boy oh boy........and I like how nobody even gives Bridgewater a chance......guess he's not "fast" enough.

I think so, too. The 85 Bears went up against Tony Eason, IIRC, and the 2K Ravens went up against Kerry Collins. These dudes snuffed out a record setting QB and offense.

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

i respect wilson
this is the article that would have been written last year if our defense showed up.

i see a black qb from the nfc in the super bowl for the next 4 years straight.

because 3 of the black qb's have lights out defenses that are used to handling mobile qb's and KILL traditional qb's

like i said i respect wilson, but if he went out there and went 0-0 they still would have blown the broncos out. this was won because of the defense. they caused turnovers and put up enough points by themselves to win.

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

lol why is armstrength always thrown out there yet i've seen him throw deep balls - and i've seen him throw balls on a fuckin rope.

What wasn't he doin in college? at the combine? That all of a sudden he does in the NFL?

no idea.
all the black qb's now.
kap
cam
wilson
rg3
throw that shit harder and further than majority of the nfl.

 

[WhenTheGoingGetsTtuff]

no idea.
all the black qb's now.
kap
cam
wilson
rg3
throw that shit harder and further than majority of the nfl.

Luther talk. IM's nigga. wtf you doing?

 

[Spectrum]

no idea.
all the black qb's now.
kap
cam
wilson
rg3
throw that shit harder and further than majority of the nfl.

This article might just be off because Wilson has an arm. He can throw the deep ball. But I don't even like how some have stressed his arm strength.

Wilson is a great QB because he can make ACCURATE passes while moving out of the pocket...he's the best I've even seen running left but throwing to the right (that's the toughest pass to make accurately and also the most dangerous pass) and routinely hitting the target...and he hardly makes a BAD pass... ie...like when Manning should have taken the sack on that pick 6. Again..people don't want to talk about situation intelligence. Manning has brain freezes in difficult situation in big games. Wilson would have most likely just held on to the ball and taken the sack... that could also be because he trusts his defense and doesn't feel the need to force something to happen but it's still the better decision.

Peyton has two INTs in the first half.. the game was over on those turnovers and they both were absolutely horrible decisions (the media tried blaming the first one on Julius Thomas).

They got pressure on Manning but he only got sacked ONCE.... it was the THREAT that caused problems for Manning...he gets happy feet and starts making bad decisions and in big games in the playoffs, there is more of a chance you're going to play against a good defense.... that's why i keep hinting it's no coincidence he's known for coming up short in the big game ever since college.

 

[dtownsfinest]

I think so, too. The 85 Bears went up against Tony Eason, IIRC, and the 2K Ravens went up against Kerry Collins. These dudes snuffed out a record setting QB and offense.

I'm saying though. I've had enough of this shit. The more the days come the less you hear about the defense. Its about Peyton "choking" and Russell Wilson. Its whatever. Seahawks ain't my team but its a travesty at how that D not getting more credit. That should be the story. Then Russell.

 

[Pworld297]

still a travesty....


charlie would`ve been great....oh well he had a long & productive NBA career...

Luckily Ward had a NBA career to fall back on, its still unbelievable to me dude did not get drafted.....

 

[woodchuck]

Luckily Ward had a NBA career to fall back on, its still unbelievable to me dude did not get drafted.....

You're right, it is unbelievable and sad. He didn't get drafted, because he said that he wasn't playing ANY other position outside of QB.

 

[Spectrum]

Seahawks ain't my team but its a travesty at how that D not getting more credit. That should be the story. Then Russell.

They got the MVP. But yeah... i think it pretty much every sport people devalue the defense. That might have been the most dominant defensive performance in super bowl history, period. They made a top offense of all-time look pedestrian for the ENTIRE game.. even in garbage time they didn't even give Broncos garbage time points

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

This article might just be off because Wilson has an arm. He can throw the deep ball. But I don't even like how some have stressed his arm strength.

Wilson is a great QB because he can make ACCURATE passes while moving out of the pocket...he's the best I've even seen running left but throwing to the right (that's the toughest pass to make accurately and also the most dangerous pass) and routinely hitting the target...and he hardly makes a BAD pass... ie...like when Manning should have taken the sack on that pick 6. Again..people don't want to talk about situation intelligence. Manning has brain freezes in difficult situation in big games. Wilson would have most likely just held on to the ball and taken the sack... that could also be because he trusts his defense and doesn't feel the need to force something to happen but it's still the better decision.

Peyton has two INTs in the first half.. the game was over on those turnovers and they both were absolutely horrible decisions (the media tried blaming the first one on Julius Thomas).

They got pressure on Manning but he only got sacked ONCE.... it was the THREAT that caused problems for Manning...he gets happy feet and starts making bad decisions and in big games in the playoffs, there is more of a chance you're going to play against a good defense.... that's why i keep hinting it's no coincidence he's known for coming up short in the big game ever since college.

well
its complex. i don't want to discredit what wilson does at all.
the offensive philosophy caters to his strengths shall i say.
seattle's offense is comprised of slant patterns, go routes and play action deep passes. and scramble drills. that's what they practice.
so when you see wilson if he hasn't thrown the ball immediately from the pocket.. he's not going to throw from the pocket that's just what it is he's going to move left or right they're going to scramble drill and more times than not you can't cover for 6 seconds and not know where they're going so he gets those completions.
this is not a knock on wilson it's just the facts.

if you remember last year. the offense was traditional with complex shifts and packages and the shit was struggling.
they switched to this type of offense and they took off.
IF you have a good defense it's not incredibly difficult to stop.

he's very accurate and is very great at extending plays. the scramble drill is where they make their money.
and if that slant or the go is there immediately he lets it loose. that's the gist of their offense.

 

[Spectrum]

You're right, it is unbelievable and sad. He didn't get drafted, because he said that he wasn't playing ANY other position outside of QB.

A lot of people try to rewrite history as if he was not going to play unless he was drafted in the first round. I remember this time period.. that's when few black QBs that were successfully were always told they needed to convert to a different position to have success in the NFL.

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

WHOA, let's clarify that, Charlie Ward stated that unless he was drafted IN THE FIRST ROUND, he would NOT play football, he would opt for the NBA instead

People seem to always leave this out when talking about Ward.

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

They got the MVP. But yeah... i think it pretty much every sport people devalue the defense. That might have been the most dominant defensive performance in super bowl history, period. They made a top offense of all-time look pedestrian for the ENTIRE game.. even in garbage time they didn't even give Broncos garbage time points

like i said. they put up enough points by themselves to win the game.

 

[Spectrum]

he's very accurate and is very great at extending plays. the scramble drill is where they make their money.
and if that slant or the go is there immediately he lets it loose. that's the gist of their offense.

I'm not arguing against all of that. I'm just saying that athleticism is overplayed. His feet help him get out of the pocket but it's really his MIND that makes his a great player because he gets out of the pocket and almost always make the right decision even though that is almost always the most dangerous position for a QB to be in...injury wise and turning the ball over.

 

[dtownsfinest]

They got the MVP. But yeah... i think it pretty much every sport people devalue the defense. That might have been the most dominant defensive performance in super bowl history, period. They made a top offense of all-time look pedestrian for the ENTIRE game.. even in garbage time they didn't even give Broncos garbage time points

I'm saying......from start to finish. The D never gave up. Even when Sherman went down. Didn't miss a beat.

 

[smiffnwessun]

Wilson played better than that other QB on the field and thats really his job protect the ball keep the offense on the field if you dont get a TD get in field goal range every quarter the seahawks scored. The defense deserves immense props but Wilson managed that game in fantastic fashion he didnt force anything he made the right decisions and thats why all eyes are on Manning because his play was glaringly bad he made several bad decisions and he was throwing duck after duck, this is going to be a loooong off season for Manning. He has lost the confidence of those fans in denver good luck getting it back Grampaw

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

I'm not arguing against all of that. I'm just saying that athleticism is overplayed. His feet help him get out of the pocket but it's really his MIND that makes his a great player because he gets out of the pocket and almost always make the right decision even though that is almost always the most dangerous position for a QB to be in...injury wise and turning the ball over.

oh none of that is mentioned to diminish his intelligence.

none of the black qb's get praised for their intelligence. none.

wilson is just a christian who is a good guy

kap is a thug with tattoos who isn't intelligent (though his high school college and wonderlic scores show the opposite)

rg3 (who graduated from college in 3 years) doesn't have the mental capacity to run a real offense..

peep

kap's offense is probably the most complex offense in the nfl
the stigmas is "it's a remedial offense" same coordinator that coordinated for luck though.

luck gets his college o.c. and nobody bats an eye.. they say great move great offense.. same system though

luck gets his college o.c. great idea because it'll help him. nobody says well damn he has to go get his college o.c. cause nfl ain't cutting it

meanwhile its RUMORED that rg3 might get his college coach
the world sets on fire...

 

[Spectrum]

I'm saying......from start to finish. The D never gave up. Even when Sherman went down. Didn't miss a beat.

The Baltimore Ravens Defensive in 2000 had better stats in the Super Bowl but it's not like you came in expecting the Giants to score a lot of points anyway. The Giants had a good defense and VERY average offense. I'm not even arguing that they are a better defense than the Ravens were Im just talking about the SB.


That's why I think the Seahawks had the best super bowl performance because they snuffed out a Super Offense that scored almost twice as many points as the Giants scored during the regular season. It's about perspective man.

That shit would be like Pacman fighting Floyd and landing 60 percent of his punches.

 

[Spectrum]

oh none of that is mentioned to diminish his intelligence.

none of the black qb's get praised for their intelligence. none.

..

I know you weren't. I'm just saying if that would have been a white QB, he would have been worshipped for his decision-making ability and calmness under pressure, etc. There are other QBs with his athleticism that don't make the plays he makes because they don't make the great decisions that he makes.

Even with how great the Seahawks D was, they were helped by Manning making stupid ass passes. Those two interceptions were just bad passes. And he shouldn't have even attempted to throw that second one...pocket was collapsing on him and he had a guy right in his chest.... you just eat the ball and take the sack.... you expect a young player to make that play...not a fucking veteran who is praised for his intelligence

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

I know you weren't. I'm just saying if that would have been a white QB, he would have been worshipped for his decision-making ability and calmness under pressure, etc. There are other QBs with his athleticism that don't make the plays he makes because they don't make the great decisions that he makes.

Even with how great the Seahawks D was, they were helped by Manning making stupid ass passes. Those two interceptions were just bad passes. And he shouldn't have even attempted to throw that second one...pocket was collapsing on him and he had a guy right in his chest.... you just eat the ball and take the sack.... you expect a young player to make that play...not a fucking veteran who is praised for his intelligence

yea
this one was a weird one.

cause seattle's offense piled on at the end. there were huge stretches they didn't even touch the field.

richard sherman said that the broncos didn't change anything from the film. he said they picked up on his hand signals and his audibles in the 1st quarter and he never changed them.

there goes that he's so complex and can adapt and out thinks his opponents talk. which i never bought into in the 1st place.

sherman himself said that if they changed anything up just a little bit they would have been exposed because they were jumping every route.

they saw what i saw.. every play there's going to be a pick route a cross someone running an out and a go.

that's every passing play for denver. seattle just knocked them off their route to mess up the timing and jumped the predictable throws that peyton has been making all year.

he's been dinking and dunking and racking up yards all season long.

nobody is going to say it but ive been saying it all year. that arm is almost dead. look at what he has to do to throw it intermediately deep...

look at a wilson toss deep on that play against us where he was several yards behind the line of scrimmage..

look at the kap mid air pass to boldin for the td...

that arm is on its last legs.. they spent all year talking bout see? see? look at the arm.. i don't recall more than 3 plays where he bombed it out do you?

 

[Dragonfly Jones]

i respect wilson
this is the article that would have been written last year if our defense showed up.

i see a black qb from the nfc in the super bowl for the next 4 years straight.

because 3 of the black qb's have lights out defenses that are used to handling mobile qb's and KILL traditional qb's

like i said i respect wilson, but if he went out there and went 0-0 they still would have blown the broncos out. this was won because of the defense. they caused turnovers and put up enough points by themselves to win.

If Lovie gets Vick to run with V Jax and them boys as well as gets that D to play how they are capable of we may get to see Vick enter the mix of with all of them in the NFC.

 

[largebillsonlyplease]

If Lovie gets Vick to run with V Jax and them boys as well as gets that D to play how they are capable of we may get to see Vick enter the mix of with all of them in the NFC.

possibly
i don't like the tampa 2 for revis though. he was out of position all year playing zone this past season and then going to another zone.. i don't know.

they got all the tools to be in the mix in the nfc south though.

 

[BDR]

still a travesty....


charlie would`ve been great....oh well he had a long & productive NBA career...

Ward won either way and told cacs and football fuck you

 

[BDR]

I know you weren't. I'm just saying if that would have been a white QB, he would have been worshipped for his decision-making ability and calmness under pressure, etc. There are other QBs with his athleticism that don't make the plays he makes because they don't make the great decisions that he makes.

Even with how great the Seahawks D was, they were helped by Manning making stupid ass passes. Those two interceptions were just bad passes. And he shouldn't have even attempted to throw that second one...pocket was collapsing on him and he had a guy right in his chest.... you just eat the ball and take the sack.... you expect a young player to make that play...not a fucking veteran who is praised for his intelligence

And that's why you gotta give Geno Smith props cause he eat those sacks when the pocket collapses and he has no where to run or throw

 

[BigDaddyBuk]

great article, thanks.