Sit and watch or trial by fire?

[dolphinator86]

there is alot of debate about what to do with rookie players. Some think that you should let them sit and learn about the NFL game and some think you should be thrown in the mess right away. Now i think the only position you need to wait is at QB. I feel the best way to learn is to go into and play againt that competiton from the day you strap the pads on. Linemen, CB, WR, RB, LB all can benefit by just playing from day one. I think Ginn was held back by Cam not playing him he really started coming out of his shell late in the season i think it could have been sooner if he was allowed to play again i do not know how that injury affected it but i couldnt be that much.

What do you think play from day one or wait and feel the game out. Is there a position you need to wait are there some you need to play right away. Thought or opinions.

 

[dlockz]

there is alot of debate about what to do with rookie players. Some think that you should let them sit and learn about the NFL game and some think you should be thrown in the mess right away. Now i think the only position you need to wait is at QB. I feel the best way to learn is to go into and play againt that competiton from the day you strap the pads on. Linemen, CB, WR, RB, LB all can benefit by just playing from day one. I think Ginn was held back by Cam not playing him he really started coming out of his shell late in the season i think it could have been sooner if he was allowed to play again i do not know how that injury affected it but i couldnt be that much.

What do you think play from day one or wait and feel the game out. Is there a position you need to wait are there some you need to play right away. Thought or opinions.

I agree if they prove themselves as the best player. As for Ginn there was no way he should have started sooner he was not one of our two best receivers to start the season.

 

[X-Pacolypse]

A lot of factors come into play when deciding to start a rookie quarterback. What kind of team does he have around him, knowledge of the playbook, etc. One thing I tend to look at is, how mentally tough is he? Because, as we've all seen in the past, with some of the poundings rookie QB's take in their first season scars them for the rest of their careers. Even though college is a totally different game from the NFL, it never hurts to look at a lot of the situations your rookie quarterback went through in college too see if he can translate that to the NFL.

For example: 4th quarter comebacks, nationally televised games, rivalry games, BCS Bowl Games, # of starts as a freshman, level of competition, playing through an injury, etc. I mean, I could sit here all day and just list a buttload of different criteria for starting a rookie in the NFL. Everybody is going to have a different way of going about it. Different strokes, for different folks.

 

[ChambersWI]

depends on what type of team you have, and whho else is on the roster. Ben Roethlisberger was forced into the lineup, but was able to rely on a strong running game, and a very good trio of recievers (Plax,Hines,ARE). I think you'll see a guy like Matt RYan have a fair amount of success because of Mike Turner in the backfield and Roddy White at WR.

If Henne has to start this year, I think he'll do ok. Better than Beck did last year, but not because I believe Henne is better than Beck. Beck was put in a poor situation behind a horrible OL, and nobody that he could use as a safety option. IF Henne starts, he'll have Ronnie and a Ricky that actually is ready to play (unlike the guy Beck got for 1 quarter that was only reinstated a couple days before the game)

Of course, the only way we see Henne (unless he blows both Beck and McCown out of the water during TC and mini camp) is if Beck and McCown are both beyond terrible during the season, and are costing us games. Which is fine with me, as much as I am loyal to Henne (a PA boy, and a Michigan Man) I think John Beck can be a very good player, and I think Josh McCown is also a good QB that has been on terrible teams.

 

[Rick Cartman]

hate to sound like a broken record.... if they are the best player then they should play..... but just to stir the pot, i think chad henne will be the starter come week 1:)

 

[305to503]

i hope hes the starter week one. we need a fresh start with a young guy..i want a guy to come in an to be the leader from day one for 10 plus year.. i dont think beck is the guy considering age and the front office not drafting him. i mean yeah becks body may be more preserved than your average 26-27 year old but still the body is different between any guy who is 3-4 years older than the other. i just see henne being a better long term solution at qb plus he played for bigger competition than beck did

 

[ChambersWI]

just to add on to something, I think that all 4 day 1 QBs could come in and be fairly effective early on.

Ryan will have a strong running game, and a very underrated WR to throw to.
Flacco, while very raw, has Todd Heap, Willis McGahee, and Derrick Mason
Brohm (who won't start) has Driver,Jennings,Jones,Nelson,Lee. and FInley
Henne (who I think could make it a 3 team race, but I don't think will start) will have a better run team than Beck did last year.

 

[Dogbone34]

Preseason games will be huge.

 

[IceStorm]

For QB's you're taking a huge risk of destroying his confidence. I'd sit them at least a year.