Andy Dalton and 5 NFL Players Reminding Us Why They're Still Rookies

Patience is a key trait for any successful NFL quarterback, but that doesn't always keep rookie passers from waiting until their sophomore seasons for a slump.

It's not exactly rare for a first-year QB to hit a plateau after a hot start, and ending one season on a bad note can often carry over, especially when you have to deal with a stunted offseason. 

We're still early enough in the year for these five players to redeem themselves, and for the most part, they've all already proven to be smart investments even if their seasons do fade from here on out, but if they want to build momentum heading into 2012, they'll have to shake off a quiet Week 10.

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

The fact that Andy Dalton acclimated himself to the speed of the NFL and the complexities of a professional playbook so quickly was surprising. And he definitely deserves credit for what he's accomplished so far. 

The Bengals were the league's fourth-worst team a season ago, and until today's loss, they were tied for first place in the NFL's toughest division largely because of Dalton's heady and productive play.

However, his penchant for turning the ball over returned on Sunday, and he tossed two picks in the loss after throwing only two total in his previous three games combined. To Dalton's credit, the Bengals ground game was largely held in check, and without that support, the entire offense fell on the rookie's shoulders. 

But if Dalton wants to take the next step, he'll have to learn how to take care of the ball in close games against top-tier opponents.

Julio Jones and AJ Green

There's no doubt that AJ Green and Julio Jones were two of the most highly regarded receiver prospects to enter the NFL since Calvin Johnson, and they've certainly done more than their share to prove those opinions correct so far.

However, both players were forced from their respective games today after suffering injuries. Jones endured more than a few knicks and bruises during his college career at Alabama, while Green was able to remain relatively healthy throughout his time at Georgia, but neither was able to stay in the game today while their teams lost crucial divisional battles.

I'm not suggesting that either player was less injured than they appeared, and both have already proven beyond any doubt that they possess the toughness to last and thrive in the NFL. However, their absences do show that they haven't yet fully adapted to the physicality of this league.

That's OK, and no one expects them to have peaked 10 weeks into their rookie seasons, but late-season injuries are at the very least a reminder that both are still new to the league.

Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Newton's scintillating success so early in his NFL career has been almost unbelievable, even if you were among those preaching his upside before last April's draft. He's been everything Carolina hoped he would be, combining uncanny elusiveness with prototypical size and an abnormally strong arm.

He's set numerous rookie records, and he's on pace to own a few more if he can maintain his level of play. That's something he didn't do against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Newton wasn't awful, and he did provide nearly 300 yards of offense, but he was held without a touchdown, passing or rushing, for the first time all season on the way to his second-lowest passing total. 

He did lead the Panthers in rushing yards with 55, but that's not necessarily good news considering it also means DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for just 58 of their own. Without some support on the ground, Newton's development could slow.

Marcell Dareus, DL, Buffalo Bills

Like most of the players on this list, Dareus is in no danger of losing a starting spot or being labeled anything close to a bust. He's been disruptive, consistent and nearly impossible to move at times up front, and he's been a big part of Buffalo's better-than-expected start.

And when Kyle Williams was healthy, Dareus was a monster next to him, taking full advantage of the extra attention paid to his teammate. But Williams was placed on injured reserve Nov, 8, and Dareus is now being asked to carry more than a fair share of the load on the defensive line.

That's a lot to ask of any player, rookie or not, and Dareus is probably a guy that can get there in his career if he continues to develop, but he's not there yet. Against the Dallas Cowboys, admittedly the league's ninth-best rushing offense coming in, Dareus and the Bills were gashed for 163 yards on the ground, 135 from DeMarco Murray.

If Buffalo wants to hang on to their quickly-dwindling playoff hopes, they'll have to find a way to plug the leaks up front, something they were well on their way to doing before Williams went down. 

Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Gabbert, the last player on the list, is a little different from the others. Julio Jones, AJ Green, Cam Newton and Marcell Dareus have all pleased their fanbases, teammates and GMs by proving their worth as early picks, and Andy Dalton has been an amazing find after being taken in the second round.

Still, despite coming off the board more than 20 picks before Dalton, Gabbert hasn't sniffed the kind of success Cincinnati is enjoying. He's gone over 200 yards passing only once, while going under 100 yards twice. He's thrown just six touchdowns against five interceptions. And he's 2-6 as a starter.

That's not to say that all is lost for Gabbert. He's won two of his past three starts, and he's physically capable of being a reliable first-string passer in the NFL. But until Jacksonville builds around him and begins to build some consistency as a team, he'll be a weekly reminder that nothing comes easy for rookie QBs.