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Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Pederson wants to bring along Carson Wentz slowly

I see that Doug Pederson is reiterating that the plan is for Carson Wentz to sit and learn this year. Wentz will be Philadelphia’s No. 3 quarterback, Pederson says, and that player isn’t typically active for games.

Sounds fair enough. Pederson was with the Eagles as a player when they took a similar approach with Donovan McNabb in 1999. Presumably he sees some wisdom and bringing along a quarterback slowly and carefully.

The Eagles gave Sam Bradford a big contract in the offseason. He’s been plagued by injuries throughout his career, but they also brought in Chase Daniel, giving him a surprisingly large contract (3 years, $21 million). So this could be a situation where Pederson’s not just blowing smoke. Maybe Wentz starts a game or two late in the year, but it’s possible he doesn’t play at all.

If it plays out that way, it will go against the usual outcome in this kind of situation. Since 2000, 24 quarterbacks have been selected with top-10 picks. Only four of those quarterbacks failed to attempt at least 100 passes in their first season. JaMarcus Russell held out until well into the regular season, falling hopelessly behind, while Carson Palmer, Philip Rivers and Jake Locker were clipboard guys.

TOP-10 QUARTERBACKS SINCE 2000
YearPlayerCompAttPctTDInt
2001Michael Vick, Atl.5011344%23
2002David Carr, Hou.23344452%915
2002Joey Harrington, Det.21542950%1216
2003Byron Leftwich, Jac.23941857%1416
2003Carson Palmer, Cin.00--00
2004Eli Manning, S.D.9519748%69
2004Philip Rivers, NYG5863%10
2005Alex Smith, S.F.8416551%111
2006Matt Leinart, Ariz.21437757%1112
2006Vince Young, Tenn.18435752%1213
2007JaMarcus Russell, Oak.366655%24
2008Matt Ryan, Atl.26543461%1611
2009Matthew Stafford, Det.20137753%1320
2009Mark Sanchez, NYJ19636454%1220
2010Sam Bradford, St.L.35459060%1815
2011Cam Newton, Car.31051760%2117
2011Blaine Gabbert, Jac.21041351%1211
2011Jake Locker, Tenn.346652%40
2012Andrew Luck, Ind.33962754%2318
2012Ryan Tannehill, Mia.28248458%1213
2012Robert Griffin III, Wash.25839366%205
2014Blake Bortles, Jac.28047559%1117
2015Jameis Winston, T.B.31253558%2215
2015Marcus Mariota, Tenn.23037062%1910
2016• JARED GOFF, L.A.?????
2016• CARSON WENTZ, Phil.?????

—Ian Allan

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