QBs doing well early in the NFL (1 Viewer)

[Wadsworth]

Long ago it was a given that it took a QB years to develop into an NFL QB. QBs were drafted and became a jar on the shelf that the team would open in 3-5 years to see if they were any good. When Marino came along and set the NFL on fire as a rookie, he was a fluke. 15 or so years laters Payton Manning developed quickly and earned rave reveiws for it. So QBs did develop quickly it just didn't happen that often.

Lately we've seen Brady, Big Ben, Palmer among others come into the league and compete at the highest level for QBs extremely early in their careers. 4 of the last 5 Super Bowls have been won by QBs with 5 or fewer years experience. I know it's just 2 guys, but it's still pretty impressive. You could even throw Warner in for 1999 as a guy with little NFL experince even though he was like 28. Other QBs like Bulger, Eli, Leftwich and Brees have developed pretty quickly based on the old standard.

So is it a trend? Are QBs entering the NFL more ready to produce? Or are these guys just the exception to the standard?

 

[Tommy Collins]

Well Brady and Palmer did have a year on the bench, but you're right they're still young QBs who did well. I think there are some that can do it, but it is rare. It all depends on the QB. Their character, work ethic, the competition they faced in school, their composure and ability to adapt to the NFL. I think Big Ben is slightly different. I think it was text book how the Steelers brought him along and how most teams should. Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball to take pressure off the kid. Make his job alot easier then slowly expand his role. It gives him a lot more confidence and success and the transition isn't so hard. It's much easier then putting all the weight on a QBs shoulders and throwing him to the wolves.

To answer your question, I don't think it's necessarily a trend. There are always going to be guys who adjust and perform better than others in a shorter amount of time.

 

[Bri]

there's always been a few. I don't think it's the norm but there's always been a few. I also find guys like Shaun King interesting having led his team to the NFC Championship game as a rook then pretty much fell off the face of the earth. I'd have figured that was just the start for that guy