Forked from: JP Losman
If he can improve on all 3 items you mentioned, he will be a complete quality QB in NFL already. To me, that's not realistic for a rookie. Tom Brady did not have a consistent long ball until the last 3 years and you only give Trent 10 games in his rookie season?
To me number 2 is the most critical piece here. Sure the coaching staff may do better to not put him in a bad situation, but he's one who's making decisions on the field. Brady never made bad mistakes at critical times (though he was in his second year when he played). Roethlisberger did make those mistakes in his rookie season but improved a great deal in his second year. I'm holding my breath to see him in this area. Eventually, this is going to be his make or break area of his game.
Most rookies have problems in red zone because of the short field and tighter coverage. It requires a QB to read defense faster (i.e. anticipate better) and deliver accurately. I expect him to do better in this area given his ability. From what I have seen from him so far, he's not as confident in red zone as he's in midfield. Some of the throws he would make in midfield he's not trying in that area. Now that he's seen 5 more games on the side line, seeing how his WR/TE running routes in response to the coverage, I expect him to be a little more confident in those situations.
Originally posted by Tatonka
To me number 2 is the most critical piece here. Sure the coaching staff may do better to not put him in a bad situation, but he's one who's making decisions on the field. Brady never made bad mistakes at critical times (though he was in his second year when he played). Roethlisberger did make those mistakes in his rookie season but improved a great deal in his second year. I'm holding my breath to see him in this area. Eventually, this is going to be his make or break area of his game.
Most rookies have problems in red zone because of the short field and tighter coverage. It requires a QB to read defense faster (i.e. anticipate better) and deliver accurately. I expect him to do better in this area given his ability. From what I have seen from him so far, he's not as confident in red zone as he's in midfield. Some of the throws he would make in midfield he's not trying in that area. Now that he's seen 5 more games on the side line, seeing how his WR/TE running routes in response to the coverage, I expect him to be a little more confident in those situations.