Great!

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You have just taken the first step in what will hopefully be a long and fruitful journey with your new companion! Many coaches have turned to rookie quarterbacks over the years to do many things, such as ignite a struggling offense, boost the morale of a fan base, and even save their own necks! However... rookie quarterbacks often can be tempermental and volatile creatures, prone to becoming underdeveloped journeymen, or worse, sizzurp sipping junkies. So take heed of the advice in this guide to make sure your rookie will grow, in time, to be a full grown veteran quarterback!

Some things to know about Rookie Quarterbacks...

Did you know? That many rookie quarterbacks that start in their first year are prone to permanent damage to their confidence and bodies that may not be repairable? You probably didn't, but it is important that you do. Often times when a rookie quarterback becomes a starter they are walking into dangerous situations. Many teams that place a rookie at the helm do not have the surrounding pieces in place to ensure their success. This leads to formation of bad habits in the rookie, where he may be prone to taking to much of the workload and blame on his shoulders due to his youthful exuberance and desire to make a difference. When things do not go his way, he is prone to lapses in concentration and confidence, which can lead to worse fortunes for himself and the team as a whole.

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Selecting a Rookie Quarterback...

When selecting a rookie Quarterback, know that they are not all created equal, and even the ones who look like top prospects may end up being total busts. We all know that you want a quarterback with good size, a great arm, and experience playing the position in a pro style offense, but what really are the things you should look for to give you and your team a good chance to win? Look for his ability to do the following...

1. Stay Cool Under Pressure - The first thing you want to see in your rookie quarterback is a tendency not to get rattled, even under heavy duress. Your young quarterback should always keep his eyes downfield, scanning for open targets and NEVER keeping his eyes locked on one receiver. He also should have the ability to feel pressure coming, and either try to make a play with his legs, or throw the ball safely away.
2. Ability to adjust the play - You and your staff try to make the best calls possible, but many times quarterbacks must make decisions at the line of scrimmage to change some blocking assignments, routes, or the play entirely! You want a smart quarterback who has the confidence to make his own calls at the line and be able to adjust to the defense.
3. Survive to fight another day - You will notice many young quarterbacks doing their best to make a play, as they feel they need to impress everyone around them with their skills. But a young quarterback needs to know when to throw the ball away instead of into coverage, as well as when to run and slide instead of taking a hard hit.

Care and Maintenance

So by now you know about all the pros and cons of starting a rookie quarterback on Sundays, and you have selected your ideal prospect to play the position! That's fantastic! Now you need to know how to provide an excellent environment for your quarterback to flourish and grow into the star you know he can be! Here is what you need to do as a coach or general manager to give him the best situation possible.

1. Make his safety a number one priority. Your young quarterback can only make good plays when standing on two feet. They are useless lying on their backs, and even more so when injured! In order to prevent these circumstances, you should put a large and well coached offensive line in front of him made up of players committed to keeping him safe. When young quarterbacks take big hits, they tend to get to scared in the pocket, and throw the ball before they should to avoid getting hit again. If you need to, don't be afraid to keep your Tight Ends or Running backs in as extra protection! With enough time to throw, your quarterback will be sure to deliver a crisp and accurate pass right into the hands of even the most mediocre of Wide Receivers.
2. Support him with a good running game. Only the best of veteran quarterbacks can still make plays when their team is no threat to run. If you ever want to develop your quarterback into one of these seasoned veterans then you must give him good run support early on. This will provide him with 1 on 1 coverage to his favorite targets, giving him large windows to throw into.
3. Call plays that play to his and the teams strengths. It is important that you keep your quarterback comfortable in his role in the offense, or you will be looking at a total meltdown. If the defense doesn't know what you're going to do, then your QB has the edge, because at least he does! Give your quarterback plenty of options. Teach him to check down to his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th targets. They are professionals capable of turning a 1 yard pass into a 10 yard gain or more!

A note about fans...

NFL fans are the true lifeblood of your franchise and the league in general, as they provide the necessary ticket and TV revenue that you need to keep your team going. However, they are an impatient lot, as it is rare to find a fan that is willing to stick by a quarterback through thick and thin. Even if your decision to start a rookie quarterback is at first popular with the fan base, it may not always be so. Your rookie quarterback is DEFINITELY going to have moments where the common fan will look, from his seat perched on high, at the decision he just made and shout "WHAT THE (bleep) WAS THAT?!?! BOOOO!!!" Do not allow this to discourage you, as you know what is best for the team, however... it is important not to damage your young quarterbacks confidence. Know when it is appropriate to let him learn from his mistakes, and also when you should sit him down to prevent doing any damage that will last long term. Remember, to the common fan, the most popular guy in town is the #2 quarterback.

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Thank You!

For taking the time to read this guide. With your help, you can be sure to develop your new starting rookie Quarterback into the franchise player you have always dreamed of!*

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*Tater596 publications LLC assumes no responsibility if your rookie quarterback does not turn out EXACTLY how you wanted him to be.