QB Question (need advice please)

[Crittle]

Okay here is the deal. I just drafted a QB #22 overall and he was the 1st QB taken in the draft and he came in as a 8/61 which is about what I expected. I have 4 other QB's on my roster and the only one even worth mentioning is Joey Harrington in his 12th year and he is rated 44/44 and is also a mentor. He only throws screens and short passes (Joey). My team is somewhat competitive, but not contending for a title anytime soon.

My question is should I play my rookie or let him ride the pine and learn? Do guys that are this 'underdeveloped' learn at all from riding the bench? Is it even worth it to play him seeing as he is only rated an 8 currently?

If anyone has experience with a situtation like this I would appreciate any advice or any help as which way to go?

Thanks guys!!!

[Tasan]

Play the rookie QB. He'll advance the best getting playing time with the mentor behind him.

[DolphinFan1]

Also, send him to summer league next year!!!

[QuikSand]

At 8/61, it sounds like an open question to me whether this guy is even worth investing in at all.

How did he come through his first training camp? (What were his ratings before camp)

[Crittle]

Well I picked him in the 1st round because he has qualities I really like in a QB, but I've never had to deal with a QB rated this low before. I didn't know if he were to ride the pine for 10 games and then I play him for 6 it would be any better than playing all 16 or playing none at all for 1 season.

I know Carson Palmer wasn't a 8/61, but he learned from a year on the bench in real life and I didn't know if FOF worked similiar to that if there was a mentor available or if the QB had to play to get better.

[ddrrbb]

Unscientific test: 1 mentor QB and 2 rookies (19/49) and (13/41)
Test 1: 1 rookie starting and the other is 3rd string
After 5 sims Starter:29/49, 28/49 ,28/49, 24/49, 28/49
other rookie 15/41, 15/41, 16,41, 16,41 15/41

Test 2: Mentor starting
5 sims Rookie 1: 21/49, 23/49, 24/49, 23/49, 22/49
Rookie 2: 16/41, 16/41, 14/41, 15/41, 16/41

So, it seems that starting is good experience and that sitting on the bench only gives a little boost to the numbers. I would pay close attention to the changes after camp and hope that they are positive in current and more importantly future ratings. Otherwise the potential numbers have a tendency to fall and make a possibly good QB into a very mediocre one.

[Autumn]

I would definitely start this guy as soon and often as possible if you're plan is to turn him into your franchise QB. I've found it makes a huge difference in development. On the bench he'll improve so little you'll never feel like starting him. Did his future potential go up after camp?

[stevew]

At 8/61, it sounds like an open question to me whether this guy is even worth investing in at all.

How did he come through his first training camp? (What were his ratings before camp)

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He's likely to be a 40/40 type guy when the dust settles, IMO.

[Crittle]

I would definitely start this guy as soon and often as possible if you're plan is to turn him into your franchise QB. I've found it makes a huge difference in development. On the bench he'll improve so little you'll never feel like starting him. Did his future potential go up after camp?

We're still in the midst of our draft and probably will be for a another 4 days or so. My team is "at best" middle of the pack and I did waste a 1st rounder on him and he has a mentor so I think I'm going to give him a shot unless he craps the bed after camp.

[QuikSand]

We're still in the midst of our draft and probably will be for a another 4 days or so. My team is "at best" middle of the pack and I did waste a 1st rounder on him and he has a mentor so I think I'm going to give him a shot unless he craps the bed after camp.

Well, if he looks something like 11/56 after training camp (as I might forecast), you're going to have a tough call on your hands. Playing him is surely the best way to develop him (on your original question) but as for what is in the team's best interests... might be trickier.

[Raiders Army]

I'd see what he's like in the pre-season...not necessarily his ratings, but also his stats as a starting QB, not in relief. Based upon that, I'd make the decision to start him. If it still looks as if he isn't the best choice, or if it's a toss-up, start your vet. When and if your team won't make the playoffs, start him.