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There is often too much hype on social media for rookies before they’ve done a darn thing.
This isn’t the player’s fault, but it’s often not ideal for their development and mindset.
It’s putting the cart before the horse.
I don’t know much about the WNBA, but you don’t need to be an aficionado about that league to know what’s happening with rookie Caitlin Clark.
Sold-out arenas and huge endorsement deals before she played a game, and she’s been okay so far in the games, but not a superstar.
Why would people buy tickets to see a rookie, or buy their jersey, before they have shown they can thrive on the next level?
It’s never made sense to me.
Why not test drive the car for a while, and watch from afar, before investing in a new player, monetarily and emotionally?
When a team trades for an Aaron Rodgers sort, fans should get excited immediately. The person has proved they can do it on the pro level, on a high level, and they bring that proven professional talent to your team.
But I’ve never understood going out and buying, let’s say a Caleb Williams jersey in Chicago, before he’s shown in games he can do it on the next level.
I’m not saying Williams is going to fail on the next level, but how often have we seen fans buy rookie QB jerseys, and then give them to Goodwill a couple of years later, because the player is gone?
I’m sorry to bring up this quote for probably the one-thousandth time, but Bill Parcells said, “Don’t him in Canton just yet, fellas” for a reason when asked about rookies.
Rodgers understands how hard it can be for rookies, and how we shouldn’t canonize them right out of the game.
When was asked about rookie receiver Malachi Corley last week, he gave measured answers.
“Everything’s new to him and his new positions and obviously new language and stuff, but he looks the part,” Rodgers said.
That is how you talk about rookies who just arrived.
Show them respect, but put the anointing oil away.
More from Rodgers on Corley:
“He’s a good kid though, he’s come in and kept his head down and worked hard, but it’s important to those guys in the receiver room, listen to Shawn (Jefferson) first and then kind of set the standard with their practice habits,” Rodgers said.
Jefferson is the new receiver coach, back for his second stint with the team.
In a strong football culture, it’s important to eschew overhyping rookies on social media and make them earn their keep.
Corley has a lot of talent but has so much to work on. He’s not playing against FIU, UTEP and Sam Houston in Conference USA anymore. Some of the stuff he could get away with against Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee isn’t going to work on the next level.
Like most rookie receivers, he needs work on route-running.
So hat tip to Rodgers for talking the right way about a rookie.
That is culturally important.
May 27, 2024
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