Quote:I take a look at how well it worked out for Rodgers and Palmer, and how the shots Aikman took his rookie season shortened his career considerably, and I see no compelling evidence against the redshirt season.

 

In fact, taking a breather without the pressure to start completely turned around Steve Young's career in the NFL (even though it wasn't his rookie year.)

 

No, there doesn't appear there for a need to make artificial timelines, yet I'm not sure there's evidence that shows that starting QBs from day one has any positive affect on development vs. letting the QB grow at his own pace.

 

Perhaps "development" isn't the proper word at all.  Maybe it has more to do with the coach's confidence in the player, confidence that he'll be able to react the way they would expect him to in any given situation.

 

This is exactly what I have always said about redshirting quarterbacks. But with no memory of Troy Aikman's rookie season, I look at Peyton Manning's interceptions stat.

 

People hate the idea of redshirting a quarterback for one reason: Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin, Andy Dalton, and Russell Wilson did not need it to be good. The problem with this line of thought is Blaine Gabbert. His first start was Game 3 in 2011. We all know how that turned out.

 

If the incumbant starter can play, there is no reason to start the rookie. David Caldwell made the right decision for Blake Bortles.

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