NFL Preseason 2010: Ranking Rookie QB Performances in Week 1

This past weekend, the first full weekend of preseason games, we witnessed a large collection of rookie quarterbacks getting their first taste of the NFL.

Preseason football is always the time we see rookie quarterbacks enjoying their first snaps in the NFL. However, it is often the case that there is nothing enjoyable about it from the fans' perspective.

We watch as rookie quarterbacks simply feel their way through performances, which come with missed targets, sloppy play, and turnovers.  All rookies, regardless of position, are always trying to make the best impression, but never is it more magnified then the time a rookie spends under center.

We put these rookies under the microscope, rank their performances and decide who made the best impression in preseason Week 1.

8. Tony Pike: 0/1

The former University of Cincinnati quarterback is in a no-win situation, considering the Panthers depth chart under center.  Trying to find playing time among a roster that features incumbent Matt Moore, second-round pick Jimmy Clausen, and second-year signal caller Hunter Cantwell will be no easy task.

Tony Pike fired one incomplete pass in the Panthers opener against the Ravens.

7. Dan LeFevour: 2/10, 21 yards

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Dan LeFevour #15 of the Chicago Bears points as he scrambles with the ball against the San Diego Chargers on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 25-10. (Photo by Stephen D

Dan LeFevour has no chance of winning the starting job in Chicago, but a good camp season could help him gain attention as a possible backup.  However, getting that job will not be possible if LeFevour continues to have nights like he did against the Chargers.

LeFevour was third off the bench and showed why he will remain there, behind Caleb Hanie, unless he proves otherwise.

6. Colt McCoy: 5/10, 25 yards, INT

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BEREA, OH - AUGUST 04: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns gets ready to throw a pass during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on August 4, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Colt McCoy endured a disappointing professional debut for a couple of reasons. McCoy, who entered Browns camp as the third-string quarterback, came into the game in the second quarter to lead a couple of stalled drives before heading back to the locker room with an injury.

McCoy hurt his hand when he banged it on the helmet of a teammate with his follow through.  The Browns do not expect the injury to force McCoy to miss much time, but it was nevertheless a shaky first night for the Browns' third-round pick.

5. Sam Bradford: 6/13, 57 yards

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ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 14: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes the ball during the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Edward Jones Dome on August 14, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Sam Bradford stepped on the field for the St. Louis Rams as their starting quarterback and future. However, even the 2010 top overall pick had to work out a case of the butterflies. He bobbled a couple of snaps and made a couple of jittery throws en route to his 6-for-13 performance.

Bradford completed four out of five passes at one stretch, but ended the night with stalled drives and in-completions.

4. Mike Kafka: 3/7, 76 yards

The 2010 sixth-round pick Mike Kafka gets lost in the shuffle a bit between Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick in Philadelphia, but the Northwestern product had a good showing in his first game. 

Kafka's performance was highlighted by a 57-yard play, which served as the longest play from scrimmage by any rookie quarterback on this list.

3. Jimmy Clausen: 8/15, 80 yards, INT

Jimmy Clausen, like others on this list, was rather vanilla in his debut.  Clausen was sacked twice and was intercepted once, while serving as the Panthers' second-string quarterback in their loss to the Ravens.

"There were good things that happened and definitely some things I need to work on," Clausen said. "But overall it was good to get out there with bullets flying around for the first time." (AP)

2. Jonathan Crompton: 6/11, 81 yards, INT

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SAN DIEGO - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton #8 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass against the Chicago Bears on August 14, 2010 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 25-10. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The former Tennessee quarterback and 2010 fifth-round pick had a steady first showing as the Chargers third-string quarterback. Jonathan Crompton's longest completion went for 12 yards.

1. Tim Tebow: 8/13, 105 yards, Rush TD, Fumble Loss

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 15: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass during the preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 15, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won 33-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The most dissected rookie quarterback performance from the weekend just happened to be the best. Sure, Tebow had his issues with his mechanics, putting the ball on target and navigating different pressures run at him, but the Broncos third-string quarterback was the only quarterback on this list to produce a touchdown and go over 100 yards in passing.

There is definitely a long way to go for Tebow, but his rookie-best performance on Sunday night was a step in the right direction.