How Shane Waldron’s Seahawks offense could be great for Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson could see a professional rebirth in Shane Waldron’s new Seahawks offense.

Whatever the schism was between the Seahawks and Russell Wilson this offseason — and Wilson did his level best to minimize the issues in a minicamp press conference this week — things appear to be back on track for the franchise and its franchise quarterback.

Wilson has long wanted to have more of a hand in play-calling and personnel, and based on his body of work, one could say that he’s earned it. Whether that has actually happened or not, Wilson seemed especially happy with the schemes installed by new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

“It’s super complex,” Wilson said Thursday, per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune.

“We are going to be able to move people around. We are going to do everything that we want to… I really believe in him.”

What are the new wrinkles? Apparently, the Seahawks’ new passing game is less static and more expansive.

“We have some nuances across the board that really challenge the defense, using the whole field and really expanding the offense,” Wilson said. “Just using everybody as much as possible, in all different formations and different looks and different tempos.”

Up-tempo is something Wilson has wanted his team to implement more often, as he intimated after the 30-20 wild-card playoff loss to the Rams that ended Seattle’s 2020 season.

“I think that we started running it really well for a little bit there, and so I think that was part of it,” Wilson said back then. “And the games just — I think for us we were able to — early in the season we were able to get the deep shots and stuff like that early on. I think that as well as — I think our tempo, our pace and stuff, getting in and out and all that, we kind of lost that a little bit I think along the way.

“I think that’s something that we do really, really well, and so to keep that tempo and pace I think is something that’s — I’m going to really try to study a lot this offseason and see how do we continue to put our foot on the gas and everything else along the way. I think that’ll help us a little bit.”

Waldron, who was the passing game coordinator for Sean McVay’s Rams last season, could be ready to give Wilson more no-huddle and more pre-snap motion. Last season, per Sports Info Solutions, only Daniel Jones of the Giants and Kyler Murray of the Cardinals had more no-huddle dropbacks than Los Angeles’ Jared Goff (148), and while Goff didn’t do too well with it (94 completions in 144 attempts for 1,092 yards, 507 air yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions), that’s more an indictment of Goff than anything about a more hurried passing game. Wilson had just 39 no-huddle dropbacks last season, but he completed 20 of 32 passes for 247 yards, 175 air yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

As for the benefit of pre-snap motion, Wilson did have a lot of that to work with under former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in 2020, and he was pretty good with it, completing 206 passes on 298 attempts in 355 dropbacks for 2,310 yards, 1,219 air yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. And the shot plays off of pre-snap motion were certainly in evidence. On throws of 20 or more air yards with motion last season, Wilson completed 16 of 36 passes for 593 yards, 529 air yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Bell also points out in his piece that Wilson was particularly good against single-high coverage when defenses couldn’t just hang two safeties back and defend the run, and the numbers bear that out — against Cover-1 and Cover-3 last season, Wilson completed 193 of 284 passes for 2,356 yards, 1,444 air yards, 23 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Against Cover-2, 2-Man,  Cover-4, and Cover-6, Wilson completed 135 of 211 passes for 1,550 yards, 1,007 air yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions. So, as Wilson has been saying for a while, a varied approach to the offense would provide greater dividends.

Seahawks fans have long wanted Pete Carroll and his staff to “Let Russ Cook,” and perhaps Waldron is the ideal guy to make that happen.

Ciara, Russell Wilson foundation kicks off holiday campaign for those in need

Russell and Ciara WIlson’s Why Not You Foundation announced a holiday campaign to help those in neeed

Thanksgiving has passed but the time to help the less fortunate continues for Ciara and Russell Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation.

The foundation announced a partnership Monday to help tackle the issue of hunger and support children and families most in need due to COVID-19. The Why Not You Foundation is dedicated to fighting poverty through education.

The theme of this campaign will play off “Let Russ Cook,” which has become a big part of the Seattle Seahawk quarterback’s persona recently.

“We have always felt that the holidays should be centered around giving back to the community,” the Wilsons said in announcing the effort. “We are proud to be partnering with Betz Family Winery and Safeway to help United Way’s Ride United create a meaningful impact for those most in need this holiday season. Why Not You Foundation strives to create initiatives that align with our core pillars, and we really wanted to give this our personal touch for families to enjoy.”

The foundation continues to grow outside the Northwest

“Why Not You Foundation was founded in 2014 to create real change, one person at a time,” Executive Director Carly Young said via a statement to Touchdown Wire. “Over the years, we have expanded our work from Russell and Ciara’s backyard in Seattle to helping families nationwide. … Now fans and gift-givers can help us support those hit the hardest this holiday season.”

West2East Productions

Available for the holiday season is an exclusive “Let Russ Cook” apron designed by local Seattle artist Enjoli Izidor. All proceeds from the aprons will benefit Why Not You Foundation’s commitment to United Way’s Ride United program to deliver food and necessary resources during the pandemic.

The aprons will also be sold online, alongside Betz Family Winery’s 2017 The Untold Story wine which will benefit the Ride United program to provide resources to food-insecure families in Washington and beyond.

The wine is now available for $35, the apron for $15, and an additional package option to gift both products for $50. “Let Russ Cook” aprons and the wine can be purchased to help the cause here.

(The aprons are available at Safeway and Albertsons stores across Washington).

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson files trademark for phrase ‘Let Russ Cook’

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has filed a trademark for the commonly uttered phrase “Let Russ Cook.”

Russell Wilson recently filed a trademark for the phrase “Let Russ Cook,” a phrase commonly uttered by Seahawks fans over this past offseason.

“The listing on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website indicates the trademark would cover cooking utensils, cookware and cooking attire such as chef’s hats and aprons,” writes ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “The application was filed Oct. 6.”

It is safe to say that the Seahawks have heeded the call, as the coaching staff has consistently put the ball in Wilson’s hands. Though Wilson’s interception count has increased, the Seahawks are 6-1 and on top of the NFC West largely as a result of the new pass-heavy offensive approach. The Seahawks still have a few challenging opponents on their schedule, so they cannot let up.

Wilson’s agent Mark Rodgers stated that the proceeds from the trademark will go to Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation.

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Russell Wilson cooked against Patriots, Cam Newton left stuffed

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson cooked again Week 2 against the New England Patriots and Cam Newton, who were stuffed in the end.

The Seattle Seahawks turned quarterback Russell Wilson loose in the kitchen again and boy did he cook Week 2 against the New England Patriots.

Wilson threw for five touchdowns, completing 21 of 28 passes attempted for 288 yards and one interception on the day. He also had five carries for 39 yards and a long of 21.

Wilson hit five different receivers for his five scores on Sunday night. DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, David Moore, Freddie Swain and running back Chris Carson were all the beneficiaries of Wilson’s efforts.

On the other side of the stadium, however, it was a disappointing finish for Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, who was stuffed at the one-yard line for the loss after a back-and-forth ball game that kept things close until the end.

The Seahawks now advance to 2-0 on the season and will host the Cowboys next Sunday afternoon.

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Should we expect Seahawks running backs to get more carries?

Should we expect the Seattle Seahawks running backs to get more carries or will Pete Carroll continue to let quarterback Russell Wilson cook?

Quarterback Russell Wilson was the star of the show on Sunday, completing 31 of 35 passes attempted for 322 yards and four touchdowns through the air against the Atlanta Falcons. Seattle posted just 20 total carries, with only 13 of those shared between running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde.

Should we start to expect the Seahawks to feature more of a passing attack – letting Russ continue to cook – or will Seattle return to more of a run-heavy offense? Coach Pete Carroll certainly isn’t going to cough up his game plan that easily, but he does hope to get his backs some more time.

“Seven and six carries wasn’t enough for our guys, we need to get more,” Carroll said Monday. “We were at 20, we want to get more than that in general, but when Russ is completing every pass, we weren’t discouraged about the movement of the football. But we love running the ball, we always have, and those guys will get more carries, as we move down through the schedule.”

So, for now, you’ll just have to tune in on Sundays to see what Carroll, Wilson and the running back have cooked up for the week.

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Seahawks winning performance was statement of offseason work

Coach Pete Carroll believes the Seattle Seahawks’ winning performance Week 1 was a statement of the offseason work the players put in.

The Seattle Seahawks were in firm control of the majority of the game Sunday in Atlanta, handing the Falcons their first loss of the season. Quarterback Russell Wilson was up on his game, getting his chance to “cook” and putting up impressive numbers in the passing game.

Wilson nailed 31 of 35 passes attempted for an 88.6% completion percentage and threw for four touchdowns and 332 yards.

“Russ has been extraordinary all camp,” coach Pete Carroll said after the win. “He had a great summer throwing the ball to everybody and he had perhaps his best throwing day, numbers-wise, just about as you could have. He was in great command of the game.”

Seattle’s offense was able to rally together and put up big numbers on the board. Wilson found three different receivers for touchdowns and Carlos Hyde was able to score the Seahawks’ sole rushing TD. The defense held its own, holding Atlanta to just 12 points through three quarters of play. Carroll believes it’s a testament to how hard everyone worked this summer.

“This whole Zoom season, our guys did a marvelous job,” Carroll explained. “Russ was extremely involved, integrally involved with all of that, and it just showed. It showed. We were together and tight and functioning well. I don’t know what we did on third down, I don’t know if it was any good, but we just were able to move the ball, even when we were backed up with penalty situations or sacks, we came back and converted. That’s confidence and belief. These guys, first game, they have earned their way right here.

“They have earned their way to play like that by the way they practiced.”

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Seahawks let Russell Wilson cook and he fried the Falcons

The Seattle Seahawks let quarterback Russell Wilson cook and he fried the Atlanta Falcons Week 1 to the tune of 38-25.

The 12s got what they asked for Week 1 in Atlanta. The Seattle Seahawks let quarterback Russell Wilson cook and he fried the Falcons to the tune of 38-25 on Sunday.

Wilson completed 31 of 35 passes attempted for 322 yards, four touchdowns and a passer rating of 143.1. He found three different receivers for scores against Atlanta: running back Chris Carson (two TDs), wide receiver DK Metcalf, and tight end Greg Olsen.

Wilson also finished the day with the Seahawks’ most rushing yards at 29. On Sunday, he became just the fifth quarterback in NFL history with over 4,000 rushing yards.

But, the impressive numbers just keep coming . . .

Need we say more?

Wilson and his Seahawks are now 1-0 to start the 2020 NFL regular season. Seattle returns home next Sunday and will face the Patriots.

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