Rookies will lag as NFL lockout drags
The 2011 draft is filled with players capable of making a significant impact on the NFL in the years to come. From quarterbacks Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert, to linebacker Von Miller, to defensive tackle Marcell Dareus and cornerback Patrick Peterson, there is plenty of talent from which to choose.
But at least in the short term, this still might turn out to be one of the least productive drafts in recent memory. Or maybe ever.
The reason is simple: With no resolution of the NFL's labor situation in the foreseeable future, the lack of participation by this year's group of rookies in offseason programs with their respective new teams figures to stunt their early development.
It's difficult enough for a rookie to become acclimated to the NFL, even with a full offseason and training camp. But now, with the possibility that the lockout could last well into the summer, this year's rookies will be even further behind.
Look at it this way: If the Giants had drafted the talented but raw defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul this year instead of last year, there's little chance he would have the same kind of impact. Pierre-Paul, who played only one season at the University of South Florida before turning pro, gradually was able to familiarize himself with the Giants' playbook during offseason minicamps and then training camp. He wound up as a major contributor on special teams, and got progressively more involved on defense, finishing with 41/2 sacks during a solid rookie season.
But if he was drafted this year, Pierre-Paul wouldn't even have gotten so much as a playbook from the Giants, much less participated in the team's offseason conditioning program. Until the lockout ends, the only contact any of this year's draft choices can have with their new teams is essentially a congratulatory handshake and a news conference. After that, they join the rest of the NFL veterans waiting for the labor situation to be resolved.
"The learning curve will be really quick for them," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said yesterday during his predraft news briefing. "They will have to get them ready quickly because they are going to miss some time if we don't get things squared away quickly with the rookie minicamps and things like that. So then they'll have to learn in a short time."
But at least the Giants and Jets have this much going for them: The players they draft next week will join teams with established coaching staffs, and the rookies can consult their new teammates with any questions about the offensive and defensive schemes. For the eight teams with new head coaches, there won't even be that luxury. After all, the veterans barely know the schemes being installed by the new coaches because there has been limited contact allowed since the end of last season. And then came the lockout.
"I'm an optimist and I'm going to look at it that way," 49ers first-year coach Jim Harbaugh said. "But everyone will be under the same parameters in that regard."
Maybe so, but there's no doubt first-year coaches will have it tougher. Especially with first-year players.
"I don't like to use the word 'worry,' but hopefully you have the kind of [rookie] players who understand that we are going to play football next year, and you have to get ready to do it," said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, who took over on an interim basis last year for Wade Phillips and was named the permanent coach after the season.
So next week will be the easy part. Teams will consult their draft boards and make their choices, say hello to the new players and then say goodbye.
When they see them next, who knows?
