The virtue of patience

Here's a few more "who are they?" players. All of these players were drafted within the last ten years.

1) This quarterback was sacked on a very high 7% of his attempts as a rookie, behind an offensive line that was, at the time, considered to be a young, talented one. He completed an acceptable 60% of his passes that year, while not even throwing for 3,000 yards. He had a respectable 14-12 TD/INT rate as a rookie. He also has multiple playoff victories and is considered a fiery leader and a winner. This quarterback has never been to a pro-bowl.

2) This first day NFL Draft selection is currently the unquestioned starter of an NFL team. As a rookie, he completed only 56.1% of his passes. His sack rate increased from his rookie year to his second year by 1.5%. He is a career 1:1 TD/INT guy, who has never had 2,700 yards passing in a single season, despite starting 23 career games. Despite a winning record as a starter, his teams have never really been competitive for a playoff spot. Part of that is due to an extensive injury history and a horrific quarterback situation behind him.

3) This tight end is a four time pro-bowler, all with the same team. As a rookie, he started 12 games, but only recorded 330 yards and 3 TDs. Despite the slow start, he scored 5+ TDs in four consecutive NFL seasons. No tight end in the history of his division has come anywhere close to his career production. Injuries eventually did him in: he started in 62 of 64 games during his four pro bowl seasons, but has missed games the last two seasons.

4) This running back is a former top ten draft pick, who flamed out so badly with his first team that he was universally considered a collassal bust after his third season. After being released by the team that drafted with him, he got signed by the team that had won the super bowl the prior season, and had a career-saving season. The following season, he signed a big-money deal, and since then, he has increased his productivity every season, playing in a super bowl, and enjoying a career year at age-30 where he was elected to the pro-bowl for the first time.

5) This former first round draft pick wide receiver did not even combine for 1,000 yards in his first two years in the NFL. Up until that point, he had been considered an effective deep threat with hands that would never allow him to be a quality starting receiver. In his second NFL season, he didn't even get in the end zone. Faced with the proposition of many bad investments on offense over the prior four years, his team changed coaches and quarterbacks, and he responded with a 1,200+ yard breakout season. The following year, this clear cut No. 1 receiver was elected to the pro bowl, and he helped take his team to the playoffs.

6) After two NFL seasons, it was hard to see where this former first round WR was going to fit in. He had marginal productivity for a 2 year veteran, and was blocked by one of the greatest receivers to ever play. Finally, in his third year, his team found a place in the starting lineup for him, and he flourished. This three time pro-bowler has a consecutive starts streak that spans six seasons, and has 1,000 yards receiving in five consecutive seasons, while having totaled 53 career touchdowns.

Who are these guys?

1)
2) Kyle Orton
3) Alge Crumpler
4) Thomas Jones
5)
6) Reggie Wayne

Still working on 1 and 5...

#6 Is Reggie Wayne?

1)
2) Kyle Orton
3) Alge Crumpler
4) Thomas Jones
5)
6) Reggie Wayne

Still working on 1 and 5...Crumpler, Jones, and Wayne are all correct. I had someone else in mind at No. 2 besides Orton, although I'm sure all that criteria applies to him as well.

Here's a hint for those trying No. 1: Don't let my use of tense throw you off, it really is the first player you'd think of.

Crumpler, Jones, and Wayne are all correct. I had someone else in mind at No. 2 besides Orton, although I'm sure all that criteria applies to him as well.

Here's a hint for those trying No. 1: Don't let my use of tense throw you off, it really is the first player you'd think of.

1) Joe Flacco

1 is Flacco.

2) Trent Edwards

Correct.

5) Roddy White

Crumpler, Jones, and Wayne are all correct. I had someone else in mind at No. 2 besides Orton, although I'm sure all that criteria applies to him as well.

Here's a hint for those trying No. 1: Don't let my use of tense throw you off, it really is the first player you'd think of.

2) Trent Edwards.

I still can't figure out #1

EDIT: woops, didn't see you guys already figured it out.

Nice quiz GTripp.

Roddy White is No. 5.

Good work guys.