Quote:In most cases, the differences in the game from the college to the pro levels impact QBs and WRs far more than the transition does in other areas. 

 

In college, many of these WRs thrive because of sheer athletic ability because they're better athletes than the guy on the other side of the line in many instances.  That's not the same in the NFL where the guy on the other side of the ball may be equally or even more athletic.  Then it comes down to nuance and making the necessary adjustments.  Rookie receivers tend to struggle more often than not, and this is where you tend to see difficulty.  It's a pretty significant learning curve, especially when you're looking at far more complex playbooks than they've seen in college.  

Exactly.

 

This is why a guy like Reggie Wayne can only put up 27 receptions in his rookie year, despite coming from a college with a history of producing NFL caliber WRs, playing with Peyton Manning, opposite Marvin Harrison.

 

This is why a guy like Victor Cruz, could go from ZERO receptions in his rookie year, to 82 in his second year.

 

This is how Cecil Shorts can go from 2 receptions in his rookie year to 55 his second year desite going from David Garrard to Blaine Gabbert at QB.

 

Larry Fitzgerald is known as a great WR.  For a while, he was considered one of the best two or three WRs in the game.  But the lowest output of his career (58 catches 780 yards *TDs), despite starting all sixteen games, was his rookie year.

 

The man known as Megatron is quite possibly the best and most feared WR in football today.  Think a bigger Randy moss but without the attitude.  His lowest career output occurred in his rookie year.

 

NFL history is replete with receivers who struggled to make the adjustment to the pro game in their early years.  The evidence is there.  I don't see why people miss the point so often.

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