tr1
May-11th-2007, 04:43 AM
By D.Laurant on May 11, 2007 12:15 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/05/raiders-history-rookiequarterbacks110507.html
It's obviously early to pose this question, but it has to be asked: When should JaMarcus Russell start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders ?
The big rookie out of LSU probably won't open the first game, barring a lights-out performance in the preseason or door-opening injuries, and if the Raiders start out winning behind either Josh McCown or Andrew Walter, head coach Lane Kiffin might be content to let Russell sit and learn.
On the other hand, early-season struggles -- especially if the incumbent QBs play badly -- will result in a rising chorus for Russell to be anointed.
Would that be a good idea? Based on a look at the rookie seasons of a number of recent highly hyped quarterbacks, there's no easy answer.
The best examples of the "bring 'em along slowly" school of thought are Donovan McNabb of the Eagles and Michael Vick of the Falcons, both of whom played sparingly in their first seasons. McNabb didn't start until Nov. 14, 2000, and Vick was also a backup until November 2001.
The top two quarterbacks drafted in 2006, Vince Young (Tennessee) and Matt Leinart (Arizona) were also eased into the lineup. Both struggled in their first few games as starters, then finished strong.
The No. 3 QB taken last year, Jay Cutler (Denver), was expected to hold a clipboard and watch Jake Plummer all season. But when Plummer faltered late in the year, Mike Shanahan didn't hesitate to throw Cutler into the fire.
Obviously, quarterback is the toughest position to adjust to on a pro roster. One stat that always stands out among rookies is the ratio of interceptions to touchdown passes. Peyton Manning had 28 INTs against 26 TDs in his rookie year, 1998. Young had 13 picks, 12 scoring passes. McNabb barely eked out a positive ratio, eight to seven, while Vick was even at three scores to three picks.
Because pro pass rushers are more accomplished, there is often less time for the quarterbacks to throw, which leads to hasty decision-making. Coupled with that is the speed and canniness of the defensive backs. It's a rare rookie QB who isn't burned at least once by a DB "playing possum," then closing on a pass from out of nowhere -- or so it seems to the rookie.
Another problem is that the most celebrated college quarterbacks are usually drafted by the worst teams, which takes its toll in terms of receivers and pass protection. The poster child for this situation is David Carr, who was immediately installed under center by the expansion Houston Texans in 2002 and was sacked a league-record 76 times. It's hard to tell what that traumatic experience may have done to Carr's psyche.
Manning and Ryan Leaf were the marquee quarterback rookies in 1998, and Leaf -- out of Washington State -- became the first San Diego Charger signal caller to win his first two games as a rookie starter. Then came a nightmare from which he never recovered --- one completion in 15 attempts, two interceptions and three fumbles in a dismal loss to Kansas City. It was among the worst performances ever by a starting quarterback, and Leaf was never the same again. His confidence shattered, he became stressed and surly, alienating the press and his teammates.
But then there was Alex Smith, who floundered through a similarly horrid rookie year across the bay with the 49ers in 2005, then bounced back in 2006 much improved.
It's hard to imagine JaMarcus Russell having a Leaf-like meltdown. But you can bet that Kiffin will study his history before he embarks on a new era.
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/05/raiders-history-rookiequarterbacks110507.html
It's obviously early to pose this question, but it has to be asked: When should JaMarcus Russell start at quarterback for the Oakland Raiders ?
The big rookie out of LSU probably won't open the first game, barring a lights-out performance in the preseason or door-opening injuries, and if the Raiders start out winning behind either Josh McCown or Andrew Walter, head coach Lane Kiffin might be content to let Russell sit and learn.
On the other hand, early-season struggles -- especially if the incumbent QBs play badly -- will result in a rising chorus for Russell to be anointed.
Would that be a good idea? Based on a look at the rookie seasons of a number of recent highly hyped quarterbacks, there's no easy answer.
The best examples of the "bring 'em along slowly" school of thought are Donovan McNabb of the Eagles and Michael Vick of the Falcons, both of whom played sparingly in their first seasons. McNabb didn't start until Nov. 14, 2000, and Vick was also a backup until November 2001.
The top two quarterbacks drafted in 2006, Vince Young (Tennessee) and Matt Leinart (Arizona) were also eased into the lineup. Both struggled in their first few games as starters, then finished strong.
The No. 3 QB taken last year, Jay Cutler (Denver), was expected to hold a clipboard and watch Jake Plummer all season. But when Plummer faltered late in the year, Mike Shanahan didn't hesitate to throw Cutler into the fire.
Obviously, quarterback is the toughest position to adjust to on a pro roster. One stat that always stands out among rookies is the ratio of interceptions to touchdown passes. Peyton Manning had 28 INTs against 26 TDs in his rookie year, 1998. Young had 13 picks, 12 scoring passes. McNabb barely eked out a positive ratio, eight to seven, while Vick was even at three scores to three picks.
Because pro pass rushers are more accomplished, there is often less time for the quarterbacks to throw, which leads to hasty decision-making. Coupled with that is the speed and canniness of the defensive backs. It's a rare rookie QB who isn't burned at least once by a DB "playing possum," then closing on a pass from out of nowhere -- or so it seems to the rookie.
Another problem is that the most celebrated college quarterbacks are usually drafted by the worst teams, which takes its toll in terms of receivers and pass protection. The poster child for this situation is David Carr, who was immediately installed under center by the expansion Houston Texans in 2002 and was sacked a league-record 76 times. It's hard to tell what that traumatic experience may have done to Carr's psyche.
Manning and Ryan Leaf were the marquee quarterback rookies in 1998, and Leaf -- out of Washington State -- became the first San Diego Charger signal caller to win his first two games as a rookie starter. Then came a nightmare from which he never recovered --- one completion in 15 attempts, two interceptions and three fumbles in a dismal loss to Kansas City. It was among the worst performances ever by a starting quarterback, and Leaf was never the same again. His confidence shattered, he became stressed and surly, alienating the press and his teammates.
But then there was Alex Smith, who floundered through a similarly horrid rookie year across the bay with the 49ers in 2005, then bounced back in 2006 much improved.
It's hard to imagine JaMarcus Russell having a Leaf-like meltdown. But you can bet that Kiffin will study his history before he embarks on a new era.