NFL rookies will be behind the power curve this year

[che boludo]

Without playbooks, rookies will suffer in lockout
Four reasons why playbooks lead to development
Matt Bowen | National Football Post
3/24/11

...No contracts, no bonus checks, no official contact with their new coaching staff after the draft and, as commissioner Roger Goodell pointed out this week, no playbooks.

A rookie without a playbook? That’s bad news no matter how we try to spin it. Let’s look at four reasons why rookies can be expected to fall even farther behind if the lockout extends past the draft and into the summer.
...

1. Lining up to play: Sounds too simple, right? It may be for veteran players, but for rookies you have to start somewhere...
...
2. Terminology: Something I really struggled with as a rookie in St. Louis. I remember opening up that playbook in my hotel room the night before my first mini-camp practice and being absolutely floored at the amount of “new” terminology I had to learn...
...
3. Audibles, checks: Important phases of any offense or defense. ...These checks and audibles are crucial. I had to re-teach myself these in Gregg Williams defense every offseason in Washington—and I knew the playbook.

...
4. The depth of the playbook: An NFL playbook is thick. A lot of pages to flip through before you burn yourself out trying to remember formations and coverage aspects.

FULL STORY


That was CNS's main concern with underclassman leaving early. They are already behind the power curve in terms of experience and he stressed the importance of proving themselves throughout the camps and pre-season in hope of making an impression to make the team.

Without the ability to have those opportunities to display their talent, their opportunities to make the team are only that much more difficult.

[cbbama99]

Good stuff, che. I never considered that when thinking about the lockout fiasco. If there is a season, it seems we may see fewer rookie starters this year than in the past (not saying some won't be able to work their way in, especially the top draft picks, but it is still going to be a huge learning curve for a situation that would already be a huge learning curve under normal circumstances).

[che boludo]

Good stuff, che. I never considered that when thinking about the lockout fiasco. If there is a season, it seems we may see fewer rookie starters this year than in the past (not saying some won't be able to work their way in, especially the top draft picks, but it is still going to be a huge learning curve for a situation that would already be a huge learning curve under normal circumstances).

The real danger comes with there ability to simply make the final roster.  More than a few underclassman may get drafted to find themselves on scout teams or fighting to picked up on waivers.  There will be some sad cases as guys who left early and gave up their last year of eligibility end up with nothing to do next fall accept wish they had finished their degrees.

[ricky023]

This is all wrong that is all I have to say. It is so wrong to the players, or I think. Shoot don't understand it no more. RTR!

[McBaman]

Well this is why CNS said "don't go unless you're a first rounder."  Teams will be patient with their first round picks and give them time to catch up.  Maybe for 2nd and 3rd rounders too. (After all, they need some new players each year.)

[ricky023]

Well if our players will listen to CNS I will say 99% of the time he will guide them right. RTR!

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