Report Card Grades for Big-Name Second-Year Quarterbacks in Training Camp

The second year of an NFL quarterback's career is arguably the most important. After a number of rookie quarterbacks put up some eye-opening numbers in 2011, they face the always tough feat of trying to take what they learned, combined with the success they had in their rookie seasons and improve in their second seasons.

From first-round picks like Cam Newton (Panthers), Christian Ponder (Vikings) and Blaine Gabbert (Jaguars) to a promising second-round pick in Andy Dalton (Bengals) and even a surprise fifth-rounder in T.J Yates (Texans), the second year is all about improving and showing that the previous season was no fluke.

Each quarterback's second full training camp is wrapping up and the preseason is already one week deep, so it is time to give out some training camp grades for the 2011 quarterback class.

Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton

What else can be said about Cam Newton's rookie year? He was incredible. He shattered rookie records and burst onto the scene, passing for more than 4,000 yards, accounting for 35 touchdowns passing and rushing and won Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. So entering camp this year, everyone knew there would be a huge spotlight on him.

Newton has entered camp hungrier than ever, and according to his teammates, after practice each day he watches film from last year and finds holes in his game he hopes to tighten up. He wants it.

Per The Charlotte Observer, Newton can be spotted during team drills throwing with ball boys before going to the huddle. After practice—and before he is the last person to sign autographs—Newton usually is still on the field throwing to reserve wide receivers that might not even make the final cut.

Per NFL.com, Cam has been rapidly improving and by all accounts he looks GREAT. His shoulders, legs, and frame in general make him look like a linebacker out there. His touch and accuracy are said to be improving with each practice. 

But what I love the most about Cam, is his passion for the game. He is the hands down leader of this team and it shows. He sets the tempo for this team. The Panthers really lucked out with Newton.

So far from all accounts, Newton has had a solid camp.

GRADE: A

Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton

After the Cincinnati Bengals granted former starting quarterback Carson Palmer the trade he requested last year, the team handed the reigns over to second round pick Andy Dalton. They never looked back.

Dalton led the Bengals to a 9-7 record and a wild-card berth in 2011. He became the only quarterback in NFL history not drafted in the first round to start all 16 games of his rookie season, and became just one of five rookie quarterbacks with over 3,000 passing yards and at least 20 touchdown passes, joining fellow rookie Cam Newton and Peyton Manning, Dan Marino and Charlie Conerly. Among this group, Dalton is the only one to have won at least eight games in his rookie season.

Entering camp this year, there was no quarterback controversy. This is Dalton's team and everyone knows it. So would Dalton, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season and according to ProFootballFocus.com, the fifth-most accurate quarterback in the NFL in accuracy percentage as of mid-November 2011, struggle or pick up where he left off?

By all accounts, Andy Dalton has gotten off to a slow start at the Bengals’ training camp. There has been whispers of a “weak arm” and of course the inevitable “sophomore slump."

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Bengals QB Andy Dalton‘s deep ball passing has been “inconsistent” during the first few days of Bengals’ training camp. Per Cincinnati.com:

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“I have an understanding of what my drop needs to be, the trajectory of the ball,” Dalton said. “Last year it was more of making sure I knew what I was doing.”

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Reedy adds that Dalton and A.J. Green are on the same page in regards to their consistency, but he seems to have some issues with the other targets on the team.

This news cannot be what Bengals fans wanted to hear. There has always been worries that Dalton would struggle to separate himself at the next level and that his game was more suited as a "game manager" rather than that of a franchise quarterback. Of course it is a bit too early to get anxious, but there is cause for concern right now.

GRADE: C

Minnesota Vikings: Christian Ponder

After being selected No. 12 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2011 NFL draft—a surprise to many—Ponder sat the first six weeks behind Donovan McNabb and watched the Vikings go 1-5.

Ponder would was named starter for the teams Week 7 game versus the Green Bay Packers and throughout the rest of the season. He showed flashes throughout the year, but remains a question mark for the Vikings going forward.

Opening up 2012 much like the Bengals' Andy Dalton, Ponder is the man in Minnesota. He feels at home and says the difference between last offseason and now is night and day. Per CBS Sports:

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“There's no comparison whatsoever between this camp and last,” Ponder said. “Last year not knowing any of my teammates, not knowing the playbook that well, my surroundings, the staff—and now I know everybody."

"I've got great relationships with the players and coaches. I know Mankato (Minn., the Vikes' training camp home). I know the (camp) experience. It's a world of difference. I just feel so much more comfortable. Everyone feels more comfortable and confident in what they're doing.”

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While there has been growing pains, the Vikings have put their trust in Ponder. Coach Leslie Frazier points out Ponder's leadership skills, and says he is impressed with his contagious enthusiasm. Ponder worked all offseason and sharpened his accuracy and footwork while also adding some muscle.

Ponder was sharp and effective in the first team offense against the San Fransisco 49ers, throwing for 122 yards and leading the team to two field goals on 19 plays. Ponder connected twice with TE Kyle Rudolph, with whom he has shown great rapport throughout training camp.

So far in Vikings camp, the team is thrilled with Ponder's improvements and think he is ready to take the next step. As with any young quarterback, when you're thrown into the fire and face an NFL defense that isn't wearing the same color as you, things are a little different. But so far, so good for Ponder.

GRADE: B+

Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert

After a very disappointing rookie season, Blaine Gabbert desperately needs to improve and do it fast in Jacksonville. Under a new coaching staff and management, Gabbert has been given a vote of confidence, but has yet to be named the starter. He will compete with veteran Chad Henne, who Jacksonville brought in this offseason.

After struggling early in camp without his new weapon, first-round pick Justin Blackmon, Gabbert has slowly but surly improved.

According to Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union, Gabbert has out-performed Henne in camp and started the teams first preseason game versus the New York Giants, directing an 89-yard touchdown drive in 13 plays on the Jaguars' first series. After overthrowing Mercedes Lewis on his first pass attempt, Gabbert completed four of six passes for 51 yards, capped by a three-yard TD toss to Cecil Shorts.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski has high praise for Gabbert. Per Jaguars.com:

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"We’re seeing quite a bit of improvement on a day-to-day basis with Blaine," Bratkowski said. "I would say probably to this point, at least with the practices that we’ve been through with the scrimmage, Blaine is the most improved player that I see out here on offense."

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While Gabbert has slightly improved, he still has a lot of work to do. He is still pressing and overthrowing receivers in camp. It seems like his footwork has gotten better, but is far from perfect. I'm sure Jaguars fans are glad to see a bit of improvement after such a dreadful season.

GRADE: B+

Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker

After an incredible junior season at the University of Washington, Jake Locker was the hands down favorite to be the number one overall pick in the 2010 draft. In a bit of a surprise to many, Locker decided against entering the draft and stayed for his senior season at Washington.

After a disappointing senior campaign, some scouts thought that Locker could fall to the second or third round in the 2011 draft due to his inaccuracy and poor play. Fortunately for Locker, that did not happen. The Tennessee Titans took Locker with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Locker didn't start a game for the Titans last season, but saw some time replacing an injured Matt Hasselbeck. In a losing effort on November 20 against the Atlanta Falcons, Locker threw for two touchdowns and 140 yards. He finished his rookie season with four passing touchdowns as well as one rushing touchdown and found himself in the NFL's most heated quarterback competition this summer.

NFL Network's Mike Lombardi says the gig is Locker's "to lose" regardless of the team's first "official" depth chart that has Hasselbeck listed as the starter (h/t CBS Sports). Titans head coach Mike Munchak said Sunday, via Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, that Locker's "closed the gap" on Hasselbeck.

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"I don't know if there was a big gap," Munchak said. "Obviously Jake doesn't have the experience Matt has, so I think that gap you can never really close if you are a young quarterback. But I think overall, as the season progressed last year, we thought that Jake was coming on real strong. So yeah, he has closed the gap and they are obviously both doing well. We are happy with both of them and at some point we'll make a decision."

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So far in camp, Locker is flourishing in the Titans' two-minute offense and his ability to extend plays and pick up first downs with his legs gives Tennessee something that Hasselbeck just cant bring at his age.

He has improved his accuracy in camp and has look very fluid. At this point it would be a surprise if Locker isn't named starter when the Titans open up with the regular season at home versus the New England Patriots.

GRADE: A

Others: Ryan Mallett, Colin Kaepernick, T.J. Yates, Ricky Stanzi, Tyrod Taylor

New England Patriots: Ryan Mallett

Ryan Mallett is an interesting project for the New England Patriots. There is no better quarterback in the NFL to learn behind than Tom Brady and no better situation than a Bill Belichick-coached team. When the Patriots took a free-falling Mallett in the third round in the 2011 draft, many fell in love with the idea.

As you can imagine, Mallett didn't see any time during the 2011 season, but played well in preseason action and opened eyes at camp last season.

So far in 2012, the same cannot be said. Mallett seemed like a sure bet to leap Brian Hoyer on the depth chart, but he has yet to do so.

Tom Curran of CSN New England did not have a positive update on the former University of Arkansas star.

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"Ryan Mallett has an opportunity to lay claim to being the heir apparent to Tom Brady, and he just hasn't done it."

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Greg Bedard of The Boston Globe said that Mallett "just didn’t look comfortable," and the "game is not coming naturally to him." Bedard believes Mallett "appears to be thinking way too much," and has had only one practice where he "looked the part."

GRADE: D

San Fransisco 49ers: Colin Kaepernick

The San Fransisco 49ers traded up in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft to select Nevada's quarterback Colin Kaeperick, with hopes to groom him as their future quarterback. At the time the 49ers were VERY low on quarterback Alex Smith, and desperately needed another option. But after the 2011 season Smith had and the three-year contract the Niners gave Smith in the offseason, Colin has a lot of ground to gain.

Kaepernick is physically gifted, an extremely hard worker, great leader, is very smart, but as of right now, he has little to hang his hat on in terms of experience in the NFL.

Thus far in camp (and his first preseason game) Kaepernick is running the read-option offense to perfection. His physical ability and his blazing speed makes him very dangerous. He just has a ton of work to do throwing the football.

I do think that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh will unleash Kaepernick at points this season, especially to run the ball, but I have a hard time believing that he will make any kind of push to be the starting quarterback anytime soon.

GRADE: B-

Houston Texans: T.J. Yates

2011 was a strange season for the Houston Texans and their fifth round pick, T.J. Yates. I'm sure if you ask Yates if he thought he would see the field during his rookie season, the answer would have been a resounding "no."

Well he wasn't expect to, until season-ending injuries to Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart thrust him into the starting role. The former North Carolina star promptly guided the Texans to victories in his first two starts, including a division-clinching win at Cincinnati. Yates led the Texans to their first ever playoff win, with a  31-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Now Yates finds himself cemented into the back up role in Houston, behind a healthy Matt Schaub. Per The Brownsville Herald:

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"It's a little bit of a different role," Yates said, "but that doesn't mean I can slough off, or take anything for granted. I've got to work as hard as the next guy, because as last year taught everybody, you've always got to be ready."

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A confident and somewhat experienced Yates has already earned his teammates respect and has done a nice job this camp. He is polished for a fifth-round pick, has great pocket presence and his accuracy is improving each day in camp.

I would not be shocked to see other teams in need of a quarterback start making calls to the Texans in the near future. They may have themselves a nice wild card in Yates.

GRADE: B+

Kansas City Chiefs: Ricky Stanzi

Ricky Stanzi had himself a tremendous career at Iowa, finishing his 2010 senior season with a 167.2 quarterback rating along with 22 touchdown passes and just four interceptions—ranking third in the nation in passing efficiency.

With experience in Iowa's pro-style offense, Stanzi is your prototypical pocket passer. He needs a ton of work adjusting to the NFL level, which is why he fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round in last year's draft.

After a season filled with injuries for the Chiefs, Stanzi still didn't see any time, but right now he is in a battle with newly-signed quarterback Brady Quinn for Matt Cassell's backup job. He and Quinn have shared reps with the second and third teams, and so far no one has the upper hand.

Stanzi is a harsh critic of himself and his performance so far in camp. Per The Gazette:

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“Up and down, up and down,” Stanzi said. “I need to be more consistent obviously. Get a little better with the reads, recognizing defenses, understanding where I want to go with the ball right away instead of leaving myself out to dry and missing opportunities.

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GRADE: C+

Baltimore Ravens: Tyrod Taylor

When the Baltimore Ravens drafted Tyrod Taylor out of Virginia Tech in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, coach John Harbaugh insisted he was selected to play quarterback, not a number of different gadget positions, as many scouts and experts insisted.

Taylor impressed many last preseason before leaving the finale with a shoulder injury. Taylor even saw some time in the regular season against the Cleveland Browns. He had one rush for a two yard gain and a few weeks later, he attempted his first regular season pass, a completion for 18 yards. Now in his second year, Taylor finds himself competing with Curtis Painter for the Ravens back-up quarterback job.

So far, Taylor has looked more impressive than Painter. His arm appears stronger, he has been clearer in his reads and throws and he has a familiarity with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s playbook.

Right now it seems like Taylor is penciled in as the backup, but still has plenty of work to do. He is inexperienced compared to Painter and isn't the passer Painter can be; but Taylor does offer a lot more than Painter can athletically.

GRADE: B