Rookie Quarterbacks

Thanks to the recent first year successes of Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, and especially last year's wonder kids Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson, all rookie quarterbacks are expected to start and shine as soon as their names are called in New York. That really seems to be the case for all three New York franchises this year. The Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and New York Giants all drafted quarterbacks. The Bills selected Florida St.'s E.J. Manuel in the first round. The Jest selected West Virginia's Geno Smith in the second. The Giants surprised many by selecting Syracuse's Ryan Nassib in the fourth. Eli Manning is still young, has two Super Bowl rings, and hasn't missed a game in years. Sometimes when a team selects a player in the NFL draft it's because they like the player. It's not to add drama, a controversy. Sometimes the position of the player doesn't even matter. It's all about talent and value at that spot in the draft. The quarterback has been placed on such a pedestal that it's shocking to hear that the throwers even travel with the rest of the team. Even the young ones.

On his recent podcast, Rich Eisen was discussing these new NFL quarterbacks with Charles Davis. I really like Davis as a football commentator and draft voice but his saying that Manuel has to start for the Bills is ridiculous. The Bills signed Kevin Kolb in the offseason. He hasn't torn it up as a starter. If he had the Arizona Cardinals wouldn't have released him. Still, he has experience as a starter. He'll likely have a whole lot easier time adjusting to a new offensive system than Manuel will to professional football. Manuel doesn't have to start. It doesn't matter that he was the 16th pick in the draft. He shouldn't start until he's ready to start.

The discussion of the Jets and Geno Smith was even more puzzling. Now is not the time to discuss the mess that is the Jets quarterback situation. Although the mess is the reason for the talk. I find Jets talk about lining up Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson next to Muhammad Wilkerson more interesting. But, there's more drama at quarterback. Always. It's best to step away and wait for September to see the mess at that position clear. At least Tim Tebow is no longer part of the picture. That should take away about half of the media vultures circling the team. Personally, I'd start Smith simply because he's not Mark Sanchez.

The Giants felt that Nassib had too much value to pass when their pick came up in the fourth round. It would be poor drafting to pass on him at that point in the process simply because he plays quarterback. Increasing the talent level on your team is the purpose of the draft. Nassib does that for the Giants. Even if he never sees a meaningful snap in a meaningful game, Nassib is an asset. No one blinked when the Atlanta Falcons drafted Matt Schaub in the third round in 2004. Like the Giants now, the Falcons then were set at quarterback with Michael Vick. Schaub had value when he was drafted. He brought a nice return for the Falcons when they traded him to the Houston Texans. It was actually a better return than Vick ever brought. Nassib could be a similar key to a trade one day. If nothing else, Nassib could provide better piece of mind behind Manning for the next few years. There's nothing wrong with having two competent quarterbacks.

Rookie quarterbacks do not have to play right away. Even if they are first round picks. Stellar rookie quarterback play is coming more frequently these days but it's not the rule. It's always best to play a young thrower when they're ready. It's not good for the player or the team if the development is rushed. No one rushes the development of the promising rookie guard. I'd rather see the quarterback viewed as one of the 53 players on the roster. The media will always see the quarterback and then the other 52.