Learning the wrong lessons

In regard to this past Super Bowl, there has been considerable criticism of the 49ers’ play-calling at the end of the game. Are the critics who think that quarterback Colin Kaepernick should have tried to run for a score instead of misfiring on three consecutive passes making a subtle judgment on Kaepernick’s judgment? After all, he displayed tunnel-vision in seeking out the same receiver (Michael Crabtree) on each occasion, so as not to complicate the decision-making process overmuch. The Raven’s defense correctly forced this eventuality by blitzing on each play--causing him to fall into the same predictable pattern that was easily defensed.

The local commentators who see Russell Wilson as a “better” version of Kaepernick (that is their opinion, not the national media’s), apparently have learned the wrong lessons from both Seattle’s win over Robert Griffin III and the Redskins, and the loss to Atlanta. After the first quarter, the lame RGIII was ineffective if not completely inept. Contrary to the belief stated by the locals, it is clear that his running ability is essential to his success for the same reason as Kaepernick’s; taking away his ability to make “plays” with his feet puts too much pressure on him to make his “reads” at the line of scrimmage rather than “evaluating” play as it progresses, which of course usually requires “extending” the play as long as possible with his feet. We’ve seen Wilson on so many occasions “extend” plays running a marathon in the backfield before throwing the ball or taking off. What if he can’t do that? We saw what Atlanta was able to do in the first half when they keyed on him, but it would be much worse if he had a gimp knee—which is exactly what you saw from RGIII. 

The so-called “immobile” quarterbacks—like Dan Marino, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady—not only revolutionized and defined excellence in quarterback play, but have had long, productive careers. They did their “thinking” at the line of scrimmage, not with their feet, avoiding sacks and injury (for the most part) with rapid decision-making. You also saw that in Matt Flynn during the preseason, but of course no one in Seattle appreciated that ability.