Why are new QBs often so successful?

[chipdouglas]

In "recent" Coug history, there has been Gary Rogers. Connor Halliday. Luke Falk.

This happens around the country, in college and the NFL. Guys burn it down in their first game or two, they get a hero's welcome, the hype machine kicks into gear... and then in the ensuing games, they promptly s--- the bed.

In many cases, with time, the QB rediscovers his mojo (Halliday). In many others, they don't.

Is this simply a function of defenses having no tape on a QB? Or is there more going on here; e.g., you don't nervous taking snaps in practice and you're comfortable in your first real games, then you eventually "learn" to get the yips and regress after you get hit a few times?

 

[How_did_this_happen?]

Seems like with Falk, he played against two very good D lines after playing a mediocre D line (OSU). IIRC, he didn't run as much vs ASU either.

 

[wulffui]

Seems like with Rogers, he got his back broken two games into helming a terrible offensive system, so he never had a chance to "get mojo".

 

[chipdouglas]

Originally posted by wulffui:
Seems like with Rogers, he got his back broken two games into helming a terrible offensive system, so he never had a chance to "get mojo".

Hilarious.

The issue with Rogers in particular is *obviously* not why his production dropped (horrific injury), but why such high production in the first place. In his first start, he follows up Brink (45% passing, 67 yards, 1TD, 1INT) with a 181 passer rating, 50-yard TD bomb, 67% completion etc. As a starter in 2008 he has a 100+ rating, then the injury.

Still waiting for a take on the question though.

 

[YakiCoug]

As in baseball, new QBs are sometimes like pitching phenoms. Once everyone figures out the new guy's tendencies, phenomenal becomes marginal.