02-23-2011, 09:48 AM
The past three NFL drafts have produced several first-round quarterbacks who became immediate starters, including men like Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and Sam Bradford. In 2011, there simply may not be a game-ready guy.
ââ¬ÅWhere is that one impact, immediate starter?ââ¬Â an AFC personnel exec recently told Tom Pelissero of 1500espn.com. ââ¬ÅThatââ¬â¢s what NFL teams are trying to figure out. There may not be right now a walk-in-the-door, first-day starting quarterback thatââ¬â¢s in the draft.ââ¬Â
Pelissero explains that two of the top quarterbacks ââ¬â Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert ââ¬â played in spread offenses at college, making it harder to determine whether theyââ¬â¢ll quickly be able to pick up a pro-style offense right away. Ryan Mallett played in an offense more suited to the pro game, but he is being dogged by concerns regarding leadership and off-field concerns. Jake Locker, once presumed to be the darling of the 2011 class, has sputtered.
ââ¬ÅWhere is that one impact, immediate starter?ââ¬Â an AFC personnel exec recently told Tom Pelissero of 1500espn.com. ââ¬ÅThatââ¬â¢s what NFL teams are trying to figure out. There may not be right now a walk-in-the-door, first-day starting quarterback thatââ¬â¢s in the draft.ââ¬Â
Pelissero explains that two of the top quarterbacks ââ¬â Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert ââ¬â played in spread offenses at college, making it harder to determine whether theyââ¬â¢ll quickly be able to pick up a pro-style offense right away. Ryan Mallett played in an offense more suited to the pro game, but he is being dogged by concerns regarding leadership and off-field concerns. Jake Locker, once presumed to be the darling of the 2011 class, has sputtered.