The New Young Guns in the NFL

NFL News - July 10, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

In 2008 we saw the rise of the rookie quarterback. It's has been a number of years since the NFL has seen one, let a lone two rookie quarterbacks shine in their first year. Even highly coveted draft picks like Mike Vick or Aaron Rodgers all had to wait at least a year to get their shot at playing in a real NFL game.  Matt Ryan pulled the Atlanta Falcons out of a big hole after loosing Mike Vick to Federal dog fighting charges. Ryan played as well as an rookie quarterback has taking his team to the playoffs and winning 11 games in the regular season, the season before the Falcons only won 4 games and looked to be in a long rebuilding process but Matt Ryan changed all of that in just one rookie season.

Joe Flacco did the same thing for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008. Flacco was the 18th overall pick in 2008 and the Ravens didn't even expect Flacco to start last year but, he got the chance and ran with it.  The Ravens won 11 games as well in 2008 and reached the playoffs after wining only 5 games the year before with out Flacco under center. The Ravens have waited for a while to get a solid quarterback under center and finally found that guy in Joe Flacco.  Both Flacco and Ryan have shown this years top two rookie quarterbacks that a rookie can shine in his first year in the NFL. 

In 2009 the NFL will be showcasing two new rookie sensations that will both get a chance to start in their respective first years. The number one overall pick Matthew Stafford will have a ruff first year but has a chance to make his team better, since the Lions won no games at all in 2008. Stafford played well in his three collegiate years at Georgia and, hopes to continue that success in 2009 as an NFL quarterback. Mark Sanchez is the other rookie candidate in 2009 that has the potential to have a year like Ryan and Flacco did in 2008. Mark Sanchez was selected 5th overall by the New York Jets and might have a tougher time than Stafford at making his team better. The Jets with Brett Favre at QB last year won 9 games an improvement form the year before.  Sanchez will have a hard time trying to win 9 games in 2008 as the Jets have lost wide out Laveranues Coles a prime target in the passing game the last three years.  Stafford has wide out sensation Calvin Johnson at his disposal, a great weapon for any NFL quarterback. 

I'm not sure if Sanchez and Stafford will have the same season as Flacco and Ryan did for their teams. However if Sanchez and Stafford can make an impact on the Jets and Lions. The stereotype of rookie quarterbacks not producing their first year will soon fade away. The college level has increased it's play and rookies are showing that they can transfer over well form college to NFL. If i had to pick one of the two this year i would put my money on Matthew Stafford to win 7 or 8 games in the 2009 NFL football season.