NFL Quarterbacks need time, not quick judgment

NFL Quarterbacks receive judgment far too quickly.

Some are called great after having one big win. Some are deemed useless if they throw a few interceptions in a single game.

Is it fair? No, not really. But we do it anyway, all the time.

When Alex Smith was drafted number one overall to the San Francisco 49ers, I did not think he had any chance of being successful. Maybe it was the name, maybe it was coming from a weak conference, or maybe it was because he looks like a pretty boy.

Whatever the case, I disregard him and expected the 49ers to have to draft another quarterback within three years.

In his rookie season, he threw one touchdown – and 11 interceptions. He completed less than 51 percent of his passes. And most importantly, at least in my book, he helped the 49ers to a 4-12 season, giving them the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft.

Basically, he had a rookie season he would love to forget.

This year, however, he has improved basically across the board. After Thursday night’s upset win over Seattle, the 49ers are sitting at 6-8. Smith has thrown 15 touchdowns versus 14 interceptions. Not a great ratio, but compared to last season, it is going in the right direction.

His completion percentage is creepy toward the 60 percent mark. And he has even chipped in a couple of rushing touchdowns, including a 18-yard gallop tonight.

So what does all this mean? That quarterbacks need time to develop.

Smith is no where near done developing. But by playing every game this year, he is gaining valuable experience to make a run at the division title in a weak NFC West conference next season. A consistent running game also helps, as running back Frank Gore is having a breakout year.

Will Smith be the next Joe Montana or Steve Young? Probably not, but he might be able to string together a several good seasons like Jeff Garcia did in his 49er days.

This also goes for other young quarterbacks. The first one that comes to mind is my hometown team, the Cleveland Browns’ Charlie Frye. He is battling a wrist injury right now, but he has had his ups and downs all season and fans and some media personnel are already calling for the backup Derek Anderson, who has played the past two games.

Charlie needs at least one more season to see if he is NFL material. The Browns period need continuity, so sticking with a quarterback and a coach for more than two years would be a great idea.

Other quarterbacks that teams and fans will need to give time on are Vince Young, Matt Lienart, Jay Cutler, Aaron Rodgers when he finally gets a chance to play, and even J.P. Losman still to a degree. Three seasons people, not one.

Because even though everyone wants to see their team start winning immediately, not everything is a quick fix. And without a quarterback who can at least manage your team, there is no hope for a championship.