Hawk Sista wrote:I feel like I need to make a clarifying point. This thread was started as a reaction to the overreaction from the media, some fans in here, and the Niner nation after a the loss and declining efficiency. While I get there are some warts, we are in the toughest division in football & have one of the best records in franchise history. Trust me, I was not completely satisfied w/ the Giant game because we left a lot out there. W/ increased efficiency on 3rd & in the Red Zone and a few better decisions, that game is easily 40-zip. The Niner loss was tough to take too, but the Cardinal debacle was just that. I knew as I watched it unfold that we would see 1/3 of the believers jump ship.
That happened on Monday am when pundits claimed RW had been off for 5 games. FIVE!!! WTH? Two of those 5 games were amongst his finest as a pro, one was an above average performance in a close road loss against a bitter rival w/ a great D, one was a game that was decided by our D in the 1st quarter (where RW didn't even finish the game we were so far ahead) and the final of the 5 games was the crappiest game in RWs short career. My frustration is that popularity of polarization to make things more interesting. It's all or nothing... We are the best or we suck. This polarizing commentary is lazy, IMHO. Instead of a heady discussion about what is happening, the all too predictable overreaction has become the norm.
I don't disagree that there is a story in the decreased efficiency, RWs shocking play, Haushka's misqueues. Etc. I just hate the "that's it, the Hawks are overrated" headlines. My reaction to RD was more of continued frustration at the polarizing stance he took about losing respect for RW (since edited down to disappointment) on the 3rd & 1. It's a fast paced game, and one official signaled 1st down.
I am not making excuses for RW, Beast, or hell... Even the D on that last drive. I did not blame the refs, though it was tough not to. It was simply a shabby performance. RWs passes were off. . The almost TD that ended in nothing was unusually off target. The Rams are a tough matchup for us. It'll be tough to right the ship with Long & Quinn in his face all day. The last thing we need is another 7 sack 7 1st down performance. I'm hoping and praying that they all learned from that. Jeff Fisher is a hell of a coach though.
I HATE losing in a casual poker game with friends. I can't imagine how Russ felt after performing like he did and being a key factor in the first loss at the Clink since 2011. Pete, RW, Earl & co. will be fueled by it. Let's see how smart they are.
Anyone that claims RW had a poor outing vs. the Saints ought to be committed to an insane asylum. Without reviewing the stats, I think he had something like 300 yards passing in the first half alone, finished with a 130 or so passer rating, plus the most important stat of them all... we won, and won big. I'd give him an A+.
I had some issues with his performance in the Niners game. We debated one at quite great length, his decision to take a timeout in the 2nd half on 2nd and 25. But considering it was a road game and the strength of the Niners defense, he played well enough for us to win. C+, maybe.
The defense played so well in the Giants game that Russell didn't have to play well, just be a good game manager and don't do anything that would put the defense in a bad position. I'd give him a B.
The Cards game was a horrible performance by RW, both in terms of his decision making and his throwing accuracy. It was perhaps his worst game as a pro. The only saving grace was that he only turned the ball over once. I'd give him a D.
Throw out the Cards game and he hasn't played all that badly, better than most quarterbacks IMO.