If you have ever started a new job, then you know the feeling of trying to fit into a new place. The people around you are unfamiliar and little things like finding the break room seem difficult. We all like to be comfortable with our surroundings. A new gig is usually anything but comfortable. Now imagine what it must be like for rookie quarterbacks entering the NFL. Trying to make it as a professional QB is one of the hardest things to do in the world. There are only 32 starting jobs like that and these newbies have to overcome quite a bit to get to QB1 status. Here’s ten of the biggest obstacles that NFL rookie quarterbacks face.
- A new environment can be a big change for young players. Bigger cities, more fan interaction, and sometimes more media to deal with can be a grind on these rookies.
- Training camp hazing and basic harassment from the veteran NFLers can’t be fun. If the youngsters are smart they just accept the pranks, but it can’t be a fun process for these victims.
- Going from the big man on campus to being the new guy in the pros is a hurdle that some QBs can never get over.
- How many times have we seen pro athletes in general with moochers all around them. Some players call these people their ‘entourage’. For an NFL QB, these hangers-on are in no way valuable.
- In the NFL sometimes a play has to be given up on. A young QB is not used to throwing the ball away to avoid disaster. In college they can take a few more chances…not here with the big boys.
- Unless a rookie quarterback has a desire to meet defensive ends face to face repeatedly, they better learn to get rid of the ball faster.
- Gaining the respect of the vets on their team is a big key to success. Some guys have that ‘it factor’. Some do not.
- A 16 game NFL season is tough on rookies who are used to a much shorter college season. They need to know how to stay on the field for this long campaign.
- Playbooks get thicker in the pros. To hit the ground running, a new NFL quarterback best be ready to put in the time to learn the team playbook. Russell Wilson was a prime example of a rookie putting in the time needed to know his playbook like the back of his hand.
- If these newbies think they know what speed is, then they are in for a rude awakening. NFL cornerbacks can close in on a pass in the blink of an eye. A throw that was good enough at ‘Don’t-Play-Anybody St.’ won’t cut it in The League.