3 toughest positions for rookies to start

[doomsday_II]

What is the three toughest positions for rookies to start and make an impact? I think it might be WR, CB, and OL. My point of this exercise is looking at free agency vs. the draft. Does BP intentionally, for the most part, draft guys who can make immediate impacts and bring in free agents to the positions which usually take time to develop? I don't know if its coincidence or not, but it does seem like a good plan as long as you stay in the realm of BPA / needs in the draft. I do understand top 10 picks are expected to start right away which could explain the T-new pick.

 

[RiggoForever]

I'd say QB has to be up there. The challenge of learning an NFL playbook and dealing with sophisticated schemes and fronts is immense. Plus the game moves at a much faster speed then in college.

I agree with you on CB and OL. Opposing offenses will test a rookie CB unmercifully until he begins making big plays. Talk about trial by fire. Offensive lineman have to know more complex blocking schemes and blitzes...plus everyone in the NFL is big and strong rushing the QB. It becomes more about technique and footwork and less about raw power.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

QB, MLB and LT.

 

[Cowboy Bill Watts]

QB, WR, CB


don't see how anything but quarterback could come first. even in the salary cap days where QBs are forced into the program early, their production isn't what it needs to be until probably year three. roethlisberger (and namath from a generation ago) seem like rare exceptions, IMHO. it just does not happen very often.

the problem with offensive linemen stepping right in often isn't the relative skill level of the position, but rather the difference in physical strength at the next level. OL who pay attention to their strength training and work on it diligently during the offseason of their rookie seasons can step in more effectively than other positions -- again MHO.

 

[Doomsday101]

QB, CB and OT I feel are the hardest position for a rookie to step into.

 

[burmafrd]

QB by a landslide. You can find rookies at every position almost every year that come in and do at least ok. How many qbs can you think of that have done even halfway good?

 

[AtlCB]

Qb, T, C

 

[doomsday_II]

I'd say QB has to be up there. The challenge of learning an NFL playbook and dealing with sophisticated schemes and fronts is immense. Plus the game moves at a much faster speed then in college.

I agree with you on CB and OL. Opposing offenses will test a rookie CB unmercifully until he begins making big plays. Talk about trial by fire. Offensive lineman have to know more complex blocking schemes and blitzes...plus everyone in the NFL is big and strong rushing the QB. It becomes more about technique and footwork and less about raw power.

Yes QB is the toughest. That was so obvious it escaped me. The QB also makes this arquement more pervasive.

OK, Top 4 positions to learn, and does BP intentionally avoid drafting these positions unless its a top 10 pick (for the most part).

 

[sago1]

3 toughest is difficult. Believe QB is by far most difficult which is why rookie QBs rarely successful, so that would be my #1. Tied for #2 are WR, OL, CB.

Usually most teams don't start guys at these positions in their rookie year unless they a high draft pick-who perceived when drafting as an immediate starter. On this basis, it wasn't fair to Pettiti (and to the team/Cowboy fans) that he was force-fed RT position.

 

[burmafrd]

Petitti got the job because there was no one else. BP looked the waiver wires over with a microscope and could not find anyone better. We even brought that maniac Verba in but he was too crazy to sign.

 

[Eddie]

QB, WR, OT ...

My problem is BP has refused to address these positions with younger players in the draft. So once he leaves, we're going to have serious voids at those important positions.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

QB, OL are the toughest without a doubt. To be successful on the NFL level, most have to change the way they are used to playing the game. Esp for OL.. got to learn to set your feet faster, use your hands more, no slow DE in the NFL. For QB, its processing what you see at a faster rate, no 6-7 seconds in the pocket to survey the field in the NFL, got to read and react much quicker. So without a doubt, those are the toughest. I don't think impact is the reason you don't draft these players High, its because you have to pay them so much money and basically QBs and OL in the draft are all project players so unless a Troy A, comes along ,, don't tie up that kind of money on players that have a high rate of not making it.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

QB - History has shown what the old coaches knew all along, you're better off waiting at least one year before starting a rookie QB. When guys like Elway, Aikman, etc. succeeded despite starting right away and floundering their first few years, teams figured that was the way to go (including Dallas). But for the most part, it's been proven that those QB's that start right away usually are not successful. The Roethlisberger's of the world are the exception, not the rule.


Offensive Tackle - When I did my statistical analysis on starting O-Linemen in 2004 and 2005 there was something that stood out to me....rookie offensive tackles don't fare well in my statistics. I'd say you get about 5 rookies who start at OT each year and only 1 out of the 5 does well according to my statistics.

I've come to believe that the Offensive Tackle position is a bit like the QB position, you need to start them off at Right tackle and give them help to ease off the pressure. Then eventually when they start to progress you can move them to LT.

That's probably my big gripe against the Dallas draft. Even if Flozell and Fabini play well, they will need to look at OT for the future. If Petitti doesn't work out they'll have to look at drafting OT high in the draft and then probably waiting at least 2 years before the player will come close to reaching their potential. However, if Petitti does improve to look like a decent starter for the future, that would be a great pickup for Dallas.


Cornerback - The main problem is that a lot of the high draft pick CB's usually are speed guys who aren't very good at tackling. They come to the pros where there is a ton more zone coverage instead of man-to-man which means they have to learn zone and improve their tackling or they'll be a target. Not to mention almost all NFL teams teach their DB's to utilize the backpedal technique whereas in college most DB's don't use that technique and rely on athletic ability instead. Combine that with the ultra speedy WR's and the re-enforcement of the illegal contact and pass interference rules, it's an extremely difficult transition for CB's into the league.


Rich..........

 

[StanleySpadowski]

QB is obvious.



I disagree that CB is difficult for rookies unless they're being asked to change from man to man to zone or vice versa. There are plenty of CBs every year who have quality rookie seasons.

OL as was already stated usually have to develop strength.

WR also should be mentioned. Very seldom does a player not need time to develop route running and gaining separation.

But TE is probably the most overlooked one. They have the problems of both the WR and OL. Even a quality player like Witten's first season could be labeled "promising" at best and he has a long way to go to become a complete TE when looking at his blocking.

Look at the best TEs currently in the NFL, guys like Gates, Crumpler, Gonzales, they were all in the 300 yard range for their rookie year. About the only TE to make an immediate impact as a receiver was Shockey. His rookie year was his best season so far.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Interesting answers.

I don't really think CB is tougher then most. To be honest, if you have the physical ability (which most don't), then it comes down to learning the WRs you play against. The position itself is not really all that difficult, from a technical point of view. Physically it's tough because of the skills required. Mentally it's tough because you have to be able to forget about the play before but technically, it's easier, IMO, then playing Safety in a Cover2.

Center is tough because you have to know the line calls. That's tough but I don't think it's tougher then LT. That's a hard position to play because your on the best big athlete the other team has every play. It's a lot like CB in that you have to have the natural skills to play it or it doesn't matter how hard you work, you'll never be good at it. I believe it's tougher because most young LTs come in with the athleticisam but not the strength. Most young LTs have to have to build the strength to go with the athleticisam and that takes a good two or three season. Good pass rushers in the NFL have several moves. They have the quickness, and athleticisam to make you pay if your technique is just a little bit off. It's not just ability, you have to put in a lot of study. You have to be dedicated to your technique and you have to have a great deal of discipline. It's a tough position to play.

MLB is tough because you have to be able to physically stand up to the pounding you will get (which is significant), you have to be able to diagnose the play and get there to make it and you have to be able to call the defensive sets. That's a lot to ask of a young player.

QB is the toughest, not really even much need for explination.

WR is a tough position to be good at early but I don't believe that it is a demanding as the other three. Still tough, but not as tough IMO.

 

[THUMPER]

1. QB
2. WR
3. LT
4. C

Lots of CBs come in as rookies and start right away so I don't see why people picked that position. In fact in my opinion it is one of the EASIEST positions for a rookie to step into after RB, DE, DT, and OLB.

QBs and WRs almost always take a couple of years to develop. The LT has so much responsibility that coaches like to wait a bit on them. Centers have a lot to handle mentally.

 

[doomsday_II]

QB, WR, OT ...

My problem is BP has refused to address these positions with younger players in the draft. So once he leaves, we're going to have serious voids at those important positions.

That is the point of this exercise. Does BP avoid drafting these positions because he is a win now coach, so why draft and devolop positions which take a few years when you can bring in a free agent?

 

[doomsday_II]

QB, OL are the toughest without a doubt. To be successful on the NFL level, most have to change the way they are used to playing the game. Esp for OL.. got to learn to set your feet faster, use your hands more, no slow DE in the NFL. For QB, its processing what you see at a faster rate, no 6-7 seconds in the pocket to survey the field in the NFL, got to read and react much quicker. So without a doubt, those are the toughest. I don't think impact is the reason you don't draft these players High, its because you have to pay them so much money and basically QBs and OL in the draft are all project players so unless a Troy A, comes along ,, don't tie up that kind of money on players that have a high rate of not making it.

Good point. All the cash plus high potential for bust cough Rogers might be a good reason to drat OL middle rounds. Plus BP has a good record of taking lower round OL and making them pro-bowlers.

 

[chinch]

QB, CB and OT I feel are the hardest position for a rookie to step into.

yup.

where you guys are getting WR from i have no idea.

 

[adbutcher]

QB, C, and LT. Runner up: MLB

QB for obvious reasons.

C, has to not only learn their technique, match up against NT/NG that are further along in their maturation process, but they have to make all blocking adjustments.

LT, matched up against the defense best pure pass rusher with little to no help.

MLB, same thing as the center but from a defense prospective.