GRIDIRON GRUMBLINGS: VOL IV

TO START A ROOKIE QB OR NOT
By Marc Jimenez, NFL Draft Bible

After Brady Quinn’s relatively good performance on Saturday during a
23-20 loss to Detroit, it was easy to figure out that many people would be expecting him to leapfrog over Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson to become the Cleveland Browns starter.

Quinn, who entered in the final 9:20, was 13-of-20 for 155 yards and
two touchdowns. In his brief time on the field, he provided what neither Frye (5-of-10 for 42 yards) nor Anderson (6-of-8 for 68 yards and one interception) could: hope. Hope for a team that has averaged five victories per season since being reinstated in 1999.

Despite the fact that Quinn, who missed sixteen practices due to s contract holdout, played against a soft Lions defense in a preseason game. What was telling about his performance was that he didn’t seem nervous or make any mistakes. Which raises the question: Can he be the Browns quarterback in week one?

Whether or not to start a rookie quarterback in the first game of the season is something all teams must consider at one point or another. The notion becomes even greater for a team that isn’t expected to do well and has a rookie quarterback that might be better than the current throwers. In spite of this, it’s hard to imagine it would ever be a good idea to start a rookie to start the season. Ideally, a young quarterback should feel comfortable running a team’s entire offense before he steps onto the field. After all, the numbers don’t lie.

•Peyton Manning, the No. 1 pick in 1998 and arguably today’s best quarterback, started as a rookie and achieved moderate success by his standards. He threw for 3,739 yards (56.7 pct.) with 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions for a dismal Colts squad that went 3-13.

•Tom Brady, who was drafted in the sixth round in 2000, completed just one pass for six yards in a 34-9 loss against Detroit in Week 13 his first year. But after an injury to Drew Bledsoe the following season,
Brady started Week two against the Jets and never looked back. The
Golden Boy went on to throw for 2,843 yards (63.9 pct.) with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for an 11-5 Patriot team that went on to win Super Bowl XXXVI.

•David Carr, the No. 1 pick in 2002, took every snap in his rookie season with Houston and as a result he was sacked an NFL record 76 times. He threw for 2,592 yards (52.5 pct.) with 9 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and 19 fumbles for a 4-12 Texans squad. He now serves as Jake Delhomme’s backup in Carolina.

•Carson Palmer, sat on the bench his first season, despite being the No. 1 overall pick in 2003. In 2004, the USC product threw for 2,897 yards (60.9 pct.) with 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in thirteen games for a Cincinnati Bengals team that finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs. But one could tell that Palmer was an emerging star.

Clearly, quarterbacks are better off sitting out a year before they take over. Even though they all need experience, throwing them into the fire in week one of their rookie seasons to fend for themselves isn’t the right way to go. A young quarterback can learn a lot by watching; especially when he studies game tapes and learns the speed of the game without risking injury. In essence, a quarterback should have a clear understanding of his team’s objective before he ever takes a snap in a game that matters.

Although it’s unlikely Quinn will be named the Browns opening day starter, public sentiment will make it difficult for Romeo Crennel not to consider it. Frye is expected to start against Denver in Cleveland's third preseason game, followed by Anderson. But if neither player is able to resemble an NFL quarterback, Quinn might be thrust into the most difficult job in sports come September 9.

So let’s hope that neither Frye nor Anderson stinks up the joint too much during Cincinnati’s final two preseason games. It would be a shame to see Quinn rushed into a role that he isn’t ready for, take a beating, and risk hurting his confidence or marketable good looks.

If you’re a regular visitor to 4th & Goal then you already know about the witty Marc Jimenez. If this is your first time, now you know.!

Email: marc@nfldraftbible.com