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Feeling the pressure Rookie QBs gain National Football League lessons
As I watched the Cowboys try to win an NFL game with the inexperienced Clint Stoerner at quarterback, I found it ironic that his sacks and interceptions gave Ryan Leaf another chance. Leaf failed miserably when he first tried to find his way in this league, and this past weekend four rookie QBs were dealing with pressures beyond belief on the gridiron. Detroit has finally decided to use Mike McMahon sparingly in meaningful game situations. The Lions want to see what they have in their 2001 fifth-round pick. McMahon was sacked twice by the 49ers in limited action Sunday. The Lions' brass expected McMahon to see that kind of heat but it also got a chance to watch him lead a nine-play drive for a field goal, which included an 11-yard quarterback run. For now, the Lions believe they have a candidate for the quarterback job down the road. New England came with a heavy pass rush at Atlanta's Michael Vick the moment he got on the field. On Vick's first play, Mike Vrabel had a direct hit with a sack. Eleven plays later, Lawyer Milloy came from out of the secondary to bring Vick down for a 7-yard loss. There will continue to be great pressure on last spring's No. 1 pick until he beats the blitz.
In Carolina, Chris Weinke has gotten more opportunities than the other rookie signal-callers this season, but the extra action is starting to take its toll. Weinke left Sunday's game against Miami in the third quarter with a sprained throwing shoulder. Sometimes the physical pressure for these rookies gets to them long before the mental pressure of playing without any real experience does. Last weekend, the Chargers were forced into playing Drew Brees when Doug Flutie went down with a concussion. Brees was sacked on his first pass attempt by Kansas City safety Jerome Woods. But unlike the other three youngsters, Brees came back and played an excellent game, nearly rallying the team to victory with 20 second-half points. When you consider that this is the franchise that had to put up with Leaf's antics, there's got to be a cautious sigh of relief in San Diego. For now. It's baptism by fire every time a rookie QB comes into a game. These four guys felt the heat Sunday and they will continue to feel it until either they put out the flames or they get burned. Sound cruel and brutal? It is, but even Leaf has emerged from the ashes to get another chance. I believe all four of these guys have a better chance of making it because of the initiation process they're facing right now. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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