Look back over the years at some of the best seasons rookie quarterbacks have ever had. Some did it with numbers, others with victories. They came from such different backgrounds and exhibited varied sizes and skill sets. Yet looking back at the seasons that got them off to such great career starts almost invariably shared a parallel.
A great center.
They say left tackles are the key to a great offensive line. More than a few coaches and players would argue that point. In fact having a great center, somebody who can call protections and consistently keep defenders out of a QBs’ face is more cherished. Don’t believe it? Just look back at some of the most celebrated rookie quarterback seasons in NFL history.
1983: Dan Marino
- 7-2 record, 2, 210 passing yards, 20 TDs, 6 interceptions
- Pro Bowl center Dwight Stephenson
1986: Jim Kelly
- 3, 593 yards, 22 TDs, 17 interceptions
- Pro Bowl center Kent Hull
2004: Ben Roethlisberger
- 13-0 regular season, 2, 621 passing yards, 17 TDs, 11 interceptions
- All-Pro center Jeff Hartings
2008: Matt Ryan
- 11-5 record, 3, 440 passing yards, 16 TDs, 11 interceptions
- Veteran center Todd McClure (started 195 games)
2011: Cam Newton
- 4, 051 passing yards, 21 TDs, 17 interceptions
- Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil
2012: Russell Wilson
- 11-5 record, 3, 118 passing yards, 26 TDs, 10 interceptions
- Pro Bowl center Max Unger
What is the point of this? It seems the Bears have fulfilled part one of the equation. That being the acquisition of a budding star at center. That is exactly what Cody Whitehair is. The second round pick from 2016 was a left tackle at Kansas State. He’d never played center before, but the team felt his skill set made it the best fit.
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They were right.
Cody Whitehair (nº65), center novato do #Bears, ajuda no double team e finaliza o linebacker no 2º nível 👏🏽
— ZONA FA (@canalzonafa) December 14, 2016
Cody Whitehair reach block 💪 pic.twitter.com/mBWBup3OnX
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) October 11, 2016
Whitehair was considered one of the 10 best rookies in the NFL by Pro Football Focus and was one of their highest rated centers overall.
“Yet another player who is already one of the best at his position for the Bears, Whitehair finished 2016 as PFF’s sixth-highest graded-center. What’s most encouraging is the fact that this was his first experience at the position; he didn’t even practice in the middle during training camp this year. Whitehair graded well above average in pass protection, run blocking, and screen blocking.”
The crazy part is he might be in the Pro Bowl had the Bears delivered a better season. Maurkice Pouncey, who was voted in ranked as just the 12th-best center in the league by PFF. Goes to show what winning some football games does. Blocking for the second-best rusher apparently doesn’t cut it. Regardless the point remains the same.
Chicago has a stud in the middle with Whitehair. Somebody who is going to keep the pocket clean for the next 10 years. Nevermind the fact he’ll be flanked by two Pro Bowl guards in Kyle Long and Josh Sitton. If ever there was an ideal time for the Bears to bring in a rookie quarterback and still win football games, it’s now.
