14th in a series of overrated/underrated commentaries

Question: Which strategy for developing young QBs is overrated? Underrated?

Overrated: Treating a young QB with kid gloves

We are going to hear plenty of debate in the coming weeks regarding whether the Jets should hand QB Matt Sanchez the starting job, whether the Lions should put Matthew Stafford in the lineup right off the bat, and whether the Buccaneers should hand the offense to Josh Freeman.

Along the way, we will hear the names Carson Palmer and Jon Kitna quite a bit, because six years ago, the Bengals did something very unique: They sat Palmer, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft, on the bench all season and let Kitna take every snap. The next season, Palmer took the job, and we know the rest of the story: He's been a very, very good player, and the Bengals' careful handling is often cited as a major reason for his success.

That may be true, but you know what's more important? That Palmer has the gifts needed to succeed at the position. He could handle the transition to the professional level because he had the talent to do so, not because he stood and watched Kitna for 16 regular-season games. In fact, you could argue Palmer didn't get all that much out of his first season; it's not as if he was going to get much work with the first-team offense — the lion's share goes to the starter.

Which brings me to my main point …

Underrated: Full-scale immersion

… that it's silly to talk about young quarterbacks like they are all fragile creatures. Some quarterbacks can't handle playing in Year One; that's been made very clear over the years. Others have taken a terrible beating (think Tim Couch and David Carr).

But along the way, the very best and brightest who are thrust into the lineup early start to get their feet under them, start to show that, yes, they're going to be OK. The Steelers started the 2004 season with Ben Roethlisberger on the bench and employed a run-heavy attack to protect him once it became clear they could not keep him off the field. But he would have succeeded in any offense, what with his poise, strong arm and creativity on the run. The Ravens were scared of rushing Joe Flacco into the lineup last season, but Troy Smith's illness forced their hand. As it turned out, the kid was up to the job. Playing early didn't faze Joe Flacco because he had the physical ability and poise to succeed. The same can be said for Falcons QB Matt Ryan. The stage wasn't too big for them, and they are better for their experiences.

They could handle those experiences because they had the chops to do so. I don't know if Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman can make it in the NFL, but what I do know is this: Keeping them out of the lineup early doesn't necessarily mean they will benefit from the experience. Unless their veteran rivals are clearly better in training camp, the three first-round passers merit long looks this season. Better earlier than later that they start to learn on the job — and that their teams learn what they have.

In addition to what you can read on our Web site, PFW editors sounded off on 10 more "overrated/underrated" topics in the Preview '09 magazine by PFW and Yahoo! Sports, now on sale at bookstores and newsstands across the country and online at PFWstore.com.