College Careers Left Writing On Wall For Russell Wilson Beating Out Matt Flynn

Pete Carroll came to USC in 2001 known as an NFL guy. He returned to the professional ranks in 2010 known as a college guy. The Seattle Seahawk head coach is well acquainted with both sides of the football divide, which might have influenced his philosophy when determining a starting quarterback.

Carroll’s naming Wilson the Seahawks’ starter for the season opener was met with some surprise around the nation. Sure, Wilson had generated buzz with his performance in the preseason, but the Wisconsin product’s NFL ability was continuously questioned: too short, too reliant on the rush. Furthermore, the NFL is a business. Seattle brass’s decision to sign former LSU turned Green Bay Packer quarterback Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million contract was a business transaction. Credit Carroll for allowing football to trump business.

Examined strictly through the lens of football, Wilson winning the job would seem a no-brainer. The writing for this quarterback competition was on the wall dating back to both Wilson’s and Flynn’s college days.

Wilson’s perception and draft position fell victim to the template; the strict blueprint NFL scouts have set forth to determine a player’s pro readiness. Measurables determine He’s only 5-foot-11, three inches below the prototype threshold if we’re being generous. Six-foot-three is a more typical NFL quarterback minimum height. Wilson is in company with Drew Brees, battling to somewhat dispel the golden rule of pro size dictated through the years.

And meeting the height requirement only commands so much attention. Other factors include the amount of snaps a quarterback took from the shotgun, or performance in Combine tests. Tom Brady slipped to New England at No. 199 after a strong senior season at Michigan. It’s all a little maddening when broken down into these various categories — 40-time is weighted heavily for some, but a rushing quarterback like Wilson is chastised for being too reliant on scrambling. Size is important, but only in a certain window; anything taller than 6-foot-6 raises red flags.

Yet Russell Wilson proved something that ultimately should be weighted more than any outline or Combine drill: an ability to perform in game situations. Wilson started all four years he was in college, whether at NC State or Wisconsin. His time at NCSU marked a turnaround for the Wolfpack, and at UW the Badgers were a Rose Bowl-bound, offensive juggernaut.

Flynn started one season at LSU, previously serving as back-up to notorious NFL bust JaMarcus Russell. Though Flynn sole season at the helm of the Bayou Bengal offense ended with ho-hum individual statistics, it did culminate in a BCS championship. However, sophomore Ryan Perrilloux started the 2007 SEC Championship and won MVP honors, going 20-30 with a pair of touchdowns.

Now, a reserve capably filling in when a starter is out isn’t an indictment of the starter; far from it. It’s the reserve outperforming the starter that’s surprising. And though Flynn handled the majority of duty that season, there was an undeniable controversy lingering over the position. Perrilloux finished with a comparatively better stat line that included a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (Flynn’s was less than 2:1); 68 percent completions thrown (Flynn threw below 57 percent) and a yard per completion rate nearly 50 percent better than Flynn’s. Perrilloux was even the superior rusher, going for four yards per carry to Flynn’s 2.2.

Perrilloux did accrue some of his stats in situations that were not high pressure, and Flynn undoubtedly had his flashes of brilliance at LSU, but they were just that: flashes. When stacked up against his professional competition, Flynn’s resume just wasn’t on par with Wilson’s. Moreover, there are few examples in his history suggesting Matt Flynn was poised for breakout stardom. Others around the pros at least have sustained glimpses on Saturdays of that other level the best are able to reach.

Consider other starting quarterbacks around the NFL. Among the majority of the other 31 franchises are players with enviable collegiate resumes. To wit:

• Aaron Rodgers, quarterback of Flynn’s former NFL team, had 43 touchdowns to 13 interceptions and nearly 5500 yards with a 63.8 completion rate his two seasons starting at Cal.
• Cam Newton claimed a national championship and won the 2010 Heisman Trophy. Robert Griffin won the 2011 installment. Andrew Luck finished second to each.
• Sam Bradford was the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner and played in a BCS title game.

The league is also dotted with surprises every year. Matt Schaub’s ascension with the Houston Texans was something of a shocker, but the Virginia product had put together impressive individual campaigns while in Charlottesville. The smaller program quarterbacks largely have college resumes Tony Romo won the Walter Payton Award, given to the Championship Subdivision’s offensive MVP.

Obviously collegiate success doesn’t automatically translate to the NFL. Were the formula that simple, 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart would be more than a career back-up. There are no shortage of examples of others who shine on Saturdays but fade on Sundays, from Rick Mirer, to Akili Smith, to Tim Couch and dozens, if not hundreds more.

But the odds for one of these players to flourish are a whole lot better than they are for a quarterback whose college career was not noteworthy. Flynn could still do so; he’s young and has proven enough to scouts that they believe so. Yet, it really shouldn’t be a surprise that a Rose Bowl-leading star quarterback could beat him out.