The quarterback position has become so important in today's NFL that the expectations are no longer fair. Young quarterbacks, rookies, are expected to excel pretty much immediately. Terrific recent rookie performances from Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson has only encouraged those high expectations. If those guys can do it, others certainly can. Newton set his own bar so high as a rookie that he's having a rough time simply equaling what he's already done. There's really no learning curve anymore for a quarterback. Those selected in the first round of the NFL Draft are expected to start right away. They are expected to make an impact right away. If they aren't playing like a 10-year, franchise quarterback by year two, maybe year three, the team is looking for someone that will. The San Diego Chargers thought that three years was long enough to wait for Drew Brees to develop into a decent quarterback so they brought in Philip Rivers and started the process again. The New Orleans Saints are sure happy about the Chargers impatience. Teams no longer allow for their young quarterback to grow into the job. That's not the case for any of the other positions on a football team. Young running backs, receivers, and tight ends usually find themselves part of a rotation early in their careers. Even those taken in the early rounds of the draft. Young offensive linemen might get in for a few series each game if they aren't ready to start. They're eased along. They're allowed time to adjust to the professional game. There's less stress. The expectations are lower. There are rotations for young defensive players. Some concentrate on certain defenses. Goal line, nickel, dime. They contribute on special teams. They can make an impact for their team as they slowly learn the game and their positions.
It's unfortunate for young quarterbacks that their position simply isn't like any other position. If you're not the starting quarterback, you're not seeing the field. There's only one quarterback. There's no rotation of quarterbacks. Some coaches may monkey with play packages to utilize special running skills of certain backup quarterbacks. It doesn't usually work for long. The need for one guy to be the guy and the need for immediate positive results has crushed many talented throwers. They no longer are allowed the time that so many need to develop into the best quarterback that they can be. If they can't do it right away, their window will close.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder might be watching his window close. Barely a month ago, he was the unquestioned starting quarterback for his team. An 0-3 start and a fractured rib later, he's on the bench watching the quarterback, Matt Cassel, that was brought in to sit behind him and assist him win his team's first game of the season. A week later, the Vikings sign former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Josh Freeman. Suddenly, Ponder's present and future with the Minnesota Vikings is on incredibly shaky ground. This is the beginning of his third NFL season. He's only started one complete season. It wasn't long ago that one season would just be the starting point. In today's game, that's often the only shot that a quarterback gets. It doesn't seem fair. Every other position on a football team has so much more opportunity to learn from their mistakes and successes. If a quarterback makes a mistake, he's on the bench and maybe looking for a job. The greatest mistake Ponder may have made was assuming that his job was secure. The most important thing for him right now is to not give up. This season and his career is far from over.
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