Relax People, They are Rookies!

Is it me or does it seem like everybody expects these rookie quarterbacks to come out and light it up from the get go?  Every time I read an article about a rookie qb, be it Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Blaine Gabbert or whoever, people expect them to go step for step with the elite quarterbacks of the game.  This is in spite of the fact that they have had much less time to practice due to the lockout.  

Blaine Gabbert went 11 of 23 for 96 yards against a decent Falcon defense and PFT (Profootballtalk.com) is stating that he failed to close the gap. Well David Garrard, who did not fare much better, has been in this league for quite some time and put up similar numbers vs a defense that probably played a very vanilla style defense.  The fact that Gabbert played as good as a veteran qb who has had success at this level, is closing the gap.  He has been practicing for less than a month and is just getting used to playing at this speed.

Even if these rookies sit for a year, what is the harm?  Let them develop like they used to and think long term instead of short term.  It could be worse, you could be the Redskins looking to tank a season.

Blaine Gabbert Update

Blaine Gabbert, the quarterback from Missouri who Mike Mayock has as the first quarterback coming off the board in next month's NFL draft, had his NFL pro day yesterday.  It seems from all opinions that he did not disappoint.  The strange this was that the Carolina Panthers did not have anybody attend the pro day.  Even if you are not interested wouldn't you at least show up and see what the hype is all about.  You pretty much go to all of these other pro days in which there are no possible number one picks, but you don't show up here.  I am calling bulls**t on this one and it must be some kind of game they are playing.  The only way you don't take a quarterback is if you feel good about the one you have, which I don't think they are sold on Jimmy Clausen, or you know the rookie wage scale is going to change dramatically.  The reason for the second point is that the way things are now, the first overall pick is too expensive to take a shot at any other position besides quarterback, in my opinion anyway.  If they now change what the rookies are getting paid, you can draft basically any position with the first pick and not feel the weight of the world on it.  You can miss and it won't set you back for a long time.  That being said, I am still calling bulls**t on the Panthers not showing up, it just doesn't make much sense.
On a personal note, if you noticed that there have not been as many blog postings, first off I appreciate it, secondly it is because I really don't want to blog about the current lockout proceedings and all of that garbage.  Once I start hearing more about football things, I will push forth with my wisdom.

Cam Newton to the Bengals would be Legendary

2010 Heisman Winner and future
possible punch line, Cam Newton

If you have read my blog before you would understand the title right off the bat as I am constant berating the Bengal organization and have also previously mentioned my thoughts that Cam Newton is being drafted too high.  In Mel Kiper's latest mock draft, he has the Bengals drafting him at the 4th spot.  I don't put a ton of emphasis on these guys mock draft besides Mike Mayock's but this one struck because of the joke factor.  If the Bengals were ever to draft Newton, you might as well put him in the Jamarcus Russell/Ryan Leaf category.  Cam Newton needs to be drafted lower and to a team that would not need him to play right away.  This is not the guy you would want to see fail because I think he would go in the tank fairly quickly because of his ego.  This kid has never failed as he has played 2 years of college ball where he won the Junior College national championship in 2009 and this past season brought Auburn to the national championship and won.
Don't get me wrong there would be plenty of material for me if he does go there but I truly want to see what this kid can do in the future when brought into the league properly.  Oh on a quick side note, Mel Kiper has Blaine Gabbert going number one in the draft.  Once again, I don't put a ton of stock into these mock drafts but somebody(me) mentioned that he would go number one long before any of these draft experts, so if it happens expect a little bit of boasting since I don't have any of the connections or experience these guys do.