Blitzed, by Thomas George

Every year at the NFL draft, the most talked-about position is the quarterback.  Who's going to be the next star?  Who will be the franchise quarterback who will save the struggling team?  In Blitzed: Why NFL Teams Gamble on Starting Rookie Quarterbacks, veteran sports writer Thomas George examines the quarterback position, taking the reader behind the scenes into the toughest role in all of sports.

Reviewing a wide variety of NFL quarterback's careers, focusing on the past decade or so, George makes the case that there really isn't a case for the best approach to acquiring, training, and utilizing a new quarterback.  Are the number one draft picks successful?  Sometimes.  Is it best to immediately play a rookie?  Sometimes.  Is it best to have them sit and learn under more experienced players?  Sometimes.  Is trading up for a first-round draft pick to get a good quarterback worth it?  Sometimes.
For every example, there are plenty of counter examples.  Who could have foreseen Dak Prescott's rise from a late-round pick to an MVP?  Who could have predicted that RG3 would flame out so quickly?  NFL buffs will enjoy George's abundant interviews and back stories.  He traversed the league and talked to many of the biggest name players and coaches to gain valuable insights.  But conclusions?  Not really.

As to the question of the subtitle, why do NFL teams gamble on starting rookie quarterbacks?  They're looking for the magic.  "Without a franchise quarterback, you are on a train on a track to nowhere."  It's all about dynasties, championships, and Super Bowls.  Every team is looking for the one leader who will get them there.


Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!