nagawicka wrote:coolhandluke121 wrote:
I think it's just because he seems to be drawing a contrast between top-10 QBs vs. QBs drafted later, but then comes to the conclusion that sitting is better for both groups, which means there's no need to draw a contrast.
Yah, early draft picks are better off sitting to develop, later round picks are better off sitting to develop. Training up your 7th round qb and training up your 1st round qb before unleashing 'em seems like sound practice.
I can buy the possibility that higher picks might need less development on average, but in general I think it's an extremely complicated job with a steep learning curve. That said, I'm sure there are counterexamples both ways - young QBs who started playing well in their first or second year, and QBs who sat several years but still never amounted to anything. I would guess that the effect of developmental time is statistically significant, but not overwhelming.
I think the reason that it's been so hotly debated is because it often seems that there are more satisfying explanatory variables, such as baseline aptitude (talented but dumb) or supporting cast or coaching/scheme or work ethic. And each QB should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, of course.