Stafford Named Starter for Lions

[BigHouseUSA]

What's the differential on starters from day 1 being successful compared to guys who sit? I don't know, but I'm wondering. The Matt Ryans and Peyton Mannings of the world are rare. I would think there would be a lot more Tom Brady's and Aaron Rogers.

Probably because there's a lot less situations with QB's starting from day one.

Stafford's only going to learn from his mistakes, I think he's shown he can handle an NFL game to the point where it's not going to kill his confidence.

[Sabo]

I don't understand the hesitation in starting rookie QBs other than it's a cute talking point for sports talk radio.

The reality is that you can only learn so much sitting on the bench. If you have the maturity and you know the playbook then the only thing left is getting reps. Quarterbacks are no different than any other position in that regard, and nobody ever wants to sit rookie linebackers or guards for a year.

Is QB different? Of course, it's more playbook to learn and the maturity and composure requirements are higher. Does every QB have those traits as a rookie? No. Does Stafford know the playbook? I don't know. Does Stafford have the confidence and maturity? I don't know.

But, it's stupid to think every QB needs to automatically sit a year.

completely agree... if a QB can play in this league, it doesn't matter if he sits or not... you can only find out how poised, smart and tough a QB is by actually playing him...


GOOD ARTICLE

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-08-25/manning-talks-about-rookie-quarterbacks

[Sven Draconian]

What's the differential on starters from day 1 being successful compared to guys who sit? I don't know, but I'm wondering. The Matt Ryans and Peyton Mannings of the world are rare. I would think there would be a lot more Tom Brady's and Aaron Rogers.

I tried to look it up one day, but realized that not very many QBs ever sit for a year.

The examples given, Rogers and Brady, are equal to a Stafford or Manning pick. Brady was a 6th rounder sitting behind a good QB in Bledsoe. Chances are, he was not better than Bledsoe in Week 1 of his rookie year. No reason for him to start.

Rogers was drafted to sit for a year or two.

You also have guys like McNabb, Bledsoe, Roethlisberger, Eli and Cutler. (and, of course, Flacco/Ryan)

And notable players who have sat...Grossman, Losman...

It's really a mixed bag without enough data yet. Not enough QBs really sit that first year, most start midway through (Harrington, Smith and others). And, of course, we can't go back in time and switch things. Could Carson or Rivers have played as rookies? Would Couch and Carr been pro bowlers if they sat for a season? I