Orange_Crush Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 I don't know about all of you, but I'm a firm believer in letting rookies sit and learn. It just seems to be better for everyone involved and here are a few examples and reasons why.1. I believe Rodgers is set for a big year this year taking over in Green Bay. He's had 3 years to learn from one of the best in the game and to acquire knowledge about how things work in the NFL. I also believe while Quinn is not the most talented quarterback out there, he's going to reap the benefits of sitting and learning. His holdout may have helped him in the end. These two are not examples, just my beliefs.2. Here are the top 5 passers from this past season and their attempts their rookie years:Tom Brady - 3 attemptsDrew Brees - 27 attemptsTony Romo - 0 attemptsBrett Favre - 4 attemptsCarson Palmer - 0 attemptsI don't think it's possible that you can look at this list and tell me it's better for a quarterback to come in and start his rookie season. Sure, Peyton did it. He's the exception to the rule. It also doesn't hurt that he's one of the smartest quarterbacks to ever play the game. Now let's take a look at some highly drafted quarterbacks that weren't allowed to learn and had over 100 pass attempts in their rookie seasons.Vince Young - Career quarterback rating: 69.0Joey Harrington - Career quarterback rating: 69.4David Carr - Career quarterback rating: 74.4Michael Vick - Career quarterback rating: 75.7 Matt Leinart - Career quarterback rating: 71.2Alex Smith - Career quarterback rating: 63.5Eli Manning - Career quarterback rating: 73.4Byron Leftwich - Career quarterback rating: 79.7Kyle Boller - Career quarterback rating: 71.9Patrick Ramsey - Career quarterback rating: 74.8Since 2001, the only two first round quarterbacks who passed for more than 100 attempts in their rookie years and did well are Ben Roethlisberger and Jay Cutler. Their respective career quarterback ratings are 92.5 and 88.2.Just looking over the stats I have a very difficult time understanding why you would throw a rookie quarterback to the wolves. It's only my opinion, but I think there are a few reasons why starting soon hinders their performance. For one, they develop bad habits. I was once told that what you learn first you learn best. It's hard to break bad habits once they are entrenched into your mind. Secondly I think the pressure gets to them. If they have a bad rookie season, the critics and naysayers start talking and it's hard to get those words out of the back of your head. If you sit and learn, there is no pressure involved your first year and you're allowed to take it at your own pace.In conclusion, I don't know if we're going to draft Matt Ryan. He's third on my board right now behind Glenn Dorsey and Jake Long. However, if Dimitroff and Coach Smith believe he is the quarterback that best fits our team's needs, then I will support him 110%. At the same time, I will be quite skeptical if he's thrown into the fire like the rest of these guys and doesn't come out of the gates firing like Roethlisberger and Cutler. If you draft Ryan, fine, I'm supportive. But draft him for the future, not the present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Obraiden Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 I agree 100% with you. I'm one of the ones on the board that thinks Ryan is our pick, but that being said I do not want to throw the rookie to the fire. Let Redman caretake a year, maybe even two and then hand him the reins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Don™ Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 Don't worry, a ROOKIE will sit. And that rookie won't be Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoot Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 I'm asking a question here. Why isn't Shockley mentioned in any of the QB related posts? I really don't feel like he has been given ample chance to compete. He was good enough to make it through the cuts last year. He was in a run oriented offense at Georgia, so should be familar with some of the new system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Obraiden Posted March 8, 2008 Share Posted March 8, 2008 bigfoot (3/8/2008)I'm asking a question here. Why isn't Shockley mentioned in any of the QB related posts? I really don't feel like he has been given ample chance to compete. He was good enough to make it through the cuts last year. He was in a run oriented offense at Georgia, so should be familar with some of the new system?why should he be? he's 6'0, thin as a rail and can't stay healthy. I loved Shock at UGA, but he's not an NFL talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange_Crush Posted March 8, 2008 Author Share Posted March 8, 2008 bigfoot (3/8/2008)I'm asking a question here. Why isn't Shockley mentioned in any of the QB related posts? I really don't feel like he has been given ample chance to compete. He was good enough to make it through the cuts last year. He was in a run oriented offense at Georgia, so should be familar with some of the new system?There are some quarterbacks that are just good in college and not in the pros,which I believe is the case for Shockley. Look at David Greene for instance. He was good in college, a 3rd round pick, but he hasn't done anything since being drafted. Shockley is a decent athlete, but he doesn't have what it takes in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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