http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13623256p-14465619c.html
Around the league: Sitting young QBs is smart, Parcells says
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, September 25, 2005
Two people who fully understand Mike Nolan's decision not to rush rookie quarterback Alex Smith into a starting role will be on opposite sides of the field in San Francisco today.
Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and his quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, have a long link and have pondered that same sticky situation. OAS_AD('Button20');
New England chose Bledsoe first overall in the 1993draft. It what should sound familiar to 49ers fans, the Patriots were coming off a 2-14 season, and Parcells was beginning his first year as coach.
Parcells had a decision to make. Should he start Bledsoe right away or sit the former Washington State star? Parcells chose to play him. Bledsoe started 12 games, throwing for 2,494 yards, 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Patriots finished 5-11.
The following year, Bledsoe started every game. He passed for a career-high 4,555 yards with 25 touchdowns and 27 interceptions and went to the Pro Bowl. New England was 10-6 and made the playoffs.
"I didn't have many options at that point," Parcells said on a conference call when asked about his 1993 choice among Bledsoe, Scott Zolak and Scott Secules. "He was the No. 1 pick in the draft, and we had a chance to play him. I know San Francisco has a young guy, but if you have an option, it's probably better to bring the guy along a little more slowly."
A prime example, in Parcells' view, is how patient Cincinnati has been with Carson Palmer, the top pick in 2003.
"I think it's paying off for them," Parcells said. "Sometimes, if you just throw the guy to the wolves, he loses his confidence, and you can't ever get it back."
Bledsoe, who played the last three seasons in Buffalo after he was unseated in New England by Tom Brady, has vivid memories of his rookie season.
"The best description that I can give you is, at times it felt like I was sticking my head inside a popcorn machine trying to pick out the right piece," said Bledsoe, joining Parcells in the phone interview. "Teams are trying to do extra things to confuse you. Hopefully, before things get bad, a team gets built around you and you're able to have some success. That's what happened with me my second year, (but) there are benefits to sitting. You can watch and learn without the pressure of being under the gun all the time."
'Joe Cool' agrees
Joe Montana, who didn't play regularly for the 49ers as a rookie, also said Nolan is wise to go with Tim Rattay and hold back on Smith.
Montana told Fox Sports Radio that the adjustment Smith has to make playing in the NFL is tough enough, let alone adjusting from the shotgun offense he ran in college to taking snaps behind center.
"It's difficult to get your timing down. I know," Montana said. "The first time I tried the shotgun with the 49ers, the ball sailed over my head and (coach) Bill Walsh said, 'OK, that's enough.' "
Where-has-the-time-gone footnote: Montana, 49, has two daughters attending Notre Dame, his alma mater.
Quick, quirky facts
Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick says he plays the Madden video game all the time but never picks the Falcons as his team. When asked why by reporters covering the Falcons, his reply was, "Can't nobody play me like me."
* New England is second in the league in red-zone offense, with five touchdowns in six trips inside the 20. But the Patriots are tied for last in red-zone defense, having allowed five touchdowns in five trips inside its 20.
* Carolina strong safety Mike Minter, who had played every snap on defense since the start of the 2003 season and was the only NFL player to do so, had to leave in the fourth quarter last week against the Patriots with a strained calf muscle.
The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.
Around the league: Sitting young QBs is smart, Parcells says
By Jim Jenkins -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, September 25, 2005
Two people who fully understand Mike Nolan's decision not to rush rookie quarterback Alex Smith into a starting role will be on opposite sides of the field in San Francisco today.
Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and his quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, have a long link and have pondered that same sticky situation. OAS_AD('Button20');
New England chose Bledsoe first overall in the 1993draft. It what should sound familiar to 49ers fans, the Patriots were coming off a 2-14 season, and Parcells was beginning his first year as coach.
Parcells had a decision to make. Should he start Bledsoe right away or sit the former Washington State star? Parcells chose to play him. Bledsoe started 12 games, throwing for 2,494 yards, 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The Patriots finished 5-11.
The following year, Bledsoe started every game. He passed for a career-high 4,555 yards with 25 touchdowns and 27 interceptions and went to the Pro Bowl. New England was 10-6 and made the playoffs.
"I didn't have many options at that point," Parcells said on a conference call when asked about his 1993 choice among Bledsoe, Scott Zolak and Scott Secules. "He was the No. 1 pick in the draft, and we had a chance to play him. I know San Francisco has a young guy, but if you have an option, it's probably better to bring the guy along a little more slowly."
A prime example, in Parcells' view, is how patient Cincinnati has been with Carson Palmer, the top pick in 2003.
"I think it's paying off for them," Parcells said. "Sometimes, if you just throw the guy to the wolves, he loses his confidence, and you can't ever get it back."
Bledsoe, who played the last three seasons in Buffalo after he was unseated in New England by Tom Brady, has vivid memories of his rookie season.
"The best description that I can give you is, at times it felt like I was sticking my head inside a popcorn machine trying to pick out the right piece," said Bledsoe, joining Parcells in the phone interview. "Teams are trying to do extra things to confuse you. Hopefully, before things get bad, a team gets built around you and you're able to have some success. That's what happened with me my second year, (but) there are benefits to sitting. You can watch and learn without the pressure of being under the gun all the time."
'Joe Cool' agrees
Joe Montana, who didn't play regularly for the 49ers as a rookie, also said Nolan is wise to go with Tim Rattay and hold back on Smith.
Montana told Fox Sports Radio that the adjustment Smith has to make playing in the NFL is tough enough, let alone adjusting from the shotgun offense he ran in college to taking snaps behind center.
"It's difficult to get your timing down. I know," Montana said. "The first time I tried the shotgun with the 49ers, the ball sailed over my head and (coach) Bill Walsh said, 'OK, that's enough.' "
Where-has-the-time-gone footnote: Montana, 49, has two daughters attending Notre Dame, his alma mater.
Quick, quirky facts
Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick says he plays the Madden video game all the time but never picks the Falcons as his team. When asked why by reporters covering the Falcons, his reply was, "Can't nobody play me like me."
* New England is second in the league in red-zone offense, with five touchdowns in six trips inside the 20. But the Patriots are tied for last in red-zone defense, having allowed five touchdowns in five trips inside its 20.
* Carolina strong safety Mike Minter, who had played every snap on defense since the start of the 2003 season and was the only NFL player to do so, had to leave in the fourth quarter last week against the Patriots with a strained calf muscle.
The Bee's Jim Jenkins can be reached at jjenkins@sacbee.com.