This is rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler’s attitude to transitioning from college to the professional ranks. The game speeds up, but it is still the same game. The New Orleans Saints’ fifth-round pick struggled at times in organized team activities and minicamp, but he’s taking it in stride. Rattler shared his perspective on this challenge to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.
He’s a rookie quarterback. Add on the fact he was a fifth rounder, mistakes aren’t just understandable, they’re expected. Rattler hasn’t even put pads on for the first time yet. He’s experienced his growing pains and will continue to do so. After some time off, he can take those lumps and work on them in training camp.
Rattler may use the quote to downplay the speed adjustment, but it’s a real thing. Let’s compare mental processing to a shot clock in basketball. A shot clock drops from 30 seconds to 24 seconds when you transition from college to the NBA. It’s a similar challenge going from high school football to the college game, and again from college to the NFL.
As a professional quarterback, not only will Rattler have less time to make a decision, defenders are faster. There is an adjustment that must be made. Rattler isn’t unaware of that; he just trusts himself to make those adjustments.
Why? Because at the end of the day, “Football is football.” In order to live up to the hype fans have thrust upon him, he better be right.
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