Comments on: Rookie Passing, Rushing, and Receiving http://www.footballperspective.com/rookie-passing-rushing-and-receiving/ NFL History and Stats Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:36:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Richie http://www.footballperspective.com/rookie-passing-rushing-and-receiving/#comment-23988 Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:36:57 +0000 http://www.footballperspective.com/?p=11633#comment-23988 A theory: There has traditionally been a thought that it is difficult for QBs and WRs to learn their positions at the pro level. But RB is a more instinctual position, so coaches have been willing to play rookie RBs.

Recently (basically since 2005 with few exceptions before) coaches have been more willing to throw a rookie QB into the fire. I think that’s partially because colleges are running more pro-like offenses, and partially because QB has seemed to become a slightly more important position than it was, so coaches are more desperate to replace mediocre QBs with hot new rookies. And they let them play even if the results aren’t great.

But at WR, coaches just haven’t had the pressure to force the ball to them. And maybe there is truth that learning WR is tougher at the pro level, so the rookies are only able to play as well as they can separate themselves from the guy on the other side of the field.

]]> By: sn0mm1s http://www.footballperspective.com/rookie-passing-rushing-and-receiving/#comment-23562 Sun, 23 Jun 2013 00:03:40 +0000 http://www.footballperspective.com/?p=11633#comment-23562 I think a couple of things factor into it (with the caveat that these are guesses and I have done no formal research).
1) A rookie WR is generally not the #1 option on the team when it comes to receiving targets (usually #2 or #3). This inherently limits their production. This is different than a rookie RB or QB that gets the majority of the snaps/rushes by default when they are on the field.
2) I think that great college WRs can skate by almost solely on their athleticism since they primarily operate on an island leaving them the most ill prepared when they reach the NFL.
3) Related to #2, on that island they are generally paired against veteran CB/S, who is likely far beyond the rookie WR’s skill when it comes to technique (and likely not at a serious advantage or disadvantage physically). This is a different situation than a QB or RB which neither really have a *direct* counterpart or foil on the defensive side of the ball that they must beat every down.

I am not sure how you would do the research, but this pattern of not making a huge impact (on increasing impacts) might also apply to rookie edge rushers, rookie offensive tackles, and rookie CBs since these are also often 1 v 1 battles against veteran players.

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