2012 NFL Rookie of the year: Russell Wilson
This past NFL season there have been a slew of rookies that have had an outstanding 2012, but quarterbacks make up the top-three.
There is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who took a team that finished with the worst record in the league last season to the playoffs this year.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has had a transcendent impact on his team, by leading them to an NFC East division title and the playoffs.
These two rookies each made hard-to-miss cases this season for the award. Though there is one rookie whose play this year was nothing less than sensational, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson entered 2012 as the 75th overall draft pick, slated to come in and compete for the backup quarterback job. The Seahawks had just given former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn, a 3-year $26 million contract to be their starter.
Unlike Griffin and Luck, Wilson had to beat out Flynn for the starting quarterback position.
Once under center Wilson lead the Seahawks to an unexpected regular season 11-5 record and a playoff berth.
Seattle ended the regular season on a five game winning streak going into the playoffs, which consisted of a 58-0 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals, a 50-17win over the Buffalo Bills followed by a 42-13 thumping of the San Francisco 49ers.
According to ESPN.com, Wilson quarterback passer rating of 100.0 ranked him fourth in the NFL, and was second-highest among rookie quarterbacks behind Griffin III’s 102.4.
WIlson’s 26 passing touchdowns ranked him 12th in NFL, and first for all rookie quarterbacks. His 26 touchdowns tied Denver Broncos quarterback Payton Manning’s rookie record.
Under pressure there was no other quarterback in the league that you would want the ball in their hands than Wilson. Three times during the season, Wilson threw a game-winning touchdown pass in the last two minutes of the game or overtime.
His completion percentage of 64.1 had him ranked eighth in the league, and second for rookies behind Griffin III’s 65.6.
Wilson was also dangerous with his legs rushing for 489 yards and four touchdowns which ranked him third in NFL for quarterbacks, and second for rookies behind Griffin III’s 815 rushing yards.
Wilson’s outstanding performance this season as a rookie quarterback for the Seahawks makes him worthy of this season’s NFL rookie of the year.
There is Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who took a team that finished with the worst record in the league last season to the playoffs this year.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has had a transcendent impact on his team, by leading them to an NFC East division title and the playoffs.
These two rookies each made hard-to-miss cases this season for the award. Though there is one rookie whose play this year was nothing less than sensational, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson entered 2012 as the 75th overall draft pick, slated to come in and compete for the backup quarterback job. The Seahawks had just given former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn, a 3-year $26 million contract to be their starter.
Unlike Griffin and Luck, Wilson had to beat out Flynn for the starting quarterback position.
Once under center Wilson lead the Seahawks to an unexpected regular season 11-5 record and a playoff berth.
Seattle ended the regular season on a five game winning streak going into the playoffs, which consisted of a 58-0 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals, a 50-17win over the Buffalo Bills followed by a 42-13 thumping of the San Francisco 49ers.
According to ESPN.com, Wilson quarterback passer rating of 100.0 ranked him fourth in the NFL, and was second-highest among rookie quarterbacks behind Griffin III’s 102.4.
WIlson’s 26 passing touchdowns ranked him 12th in NFL, and first for all rookie quarterbacks. His 26 touchdowns tied Denver Broncos quarterback Payton Manning’s rookie record.
Under pressure there was no other quarterback in the league that you would want the ball in their hands than Wilson. Three times during the season, Wilson threw a game-winning touchdown pass in the last two minutes of the game or overtime.
His completion percentage of 64.1 had him ranked eighth in the league, and second for rookies behind Griffin III’s 65.6.
Wilson was also dangerous with his legs rushing for 489 yards and four touchdowns which ranked him third in NFL for quarterbacks, and second for rookies behind Griffin III’s 815 rushing yards.
Wilson’s outstanding performance this season as a rookie quarterback for the Seahawks makes him worthy of this season’s NFL rookie of the year.