Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback unimpressive during victory

Arizona Cardinals rookie Josh Rosen‘s latest performance is proof that nothing comes easy in the National Football League

Things couldn’t have started out any better for the Arizona Cardinals’ rookie passer. This past Sunday, on his team’s first play from scrimmage, Josh Rosen hit wide receiver Christian Kirk for a 75-yard touchdown. The Cards’ new starting quarterback had made it look so easy that surely the remainder of the San Francisco 49ers matchup would be a breeze.

As it turned out, the rest of the game would be a struggle for Rosen. Arizona’s first-round draft pick would finish the afternoon with just 10 completions on 25 attempts. Rosen’s accuracy had suddenly failed him, as he continually overthrew pass-catchers who had fought to get open against 49ers defenders.

In Rosen’s defense, there were dropped passes as well. Chad Williams, Chase Edmonds and even Kirk had failed to come up with throws that were right on the mark. In fact, the aerial miscues have been a season-long problem for the club.

Rosen’s less than impressive performance is no cause for panic, however. All first-year signal-callers, even the all-time greats, have had bad games. Keeping the erratic showings to a minimum is what’s important in the development of a young passer.

More help from his surrounding cast would make Rosen’s transition to the NFL much easier, as well. A quarterback’s best friend is an effective running game. While the Cardinals’ offensive line has done an adequate job protecting Rosen, their inability to open holes for David Johnson has crippled the rushing attack.

Cards assistant coach Mike McCoy has also been a hindrance. The offensive coordinator’s old-fashioned, predictable play-calling is doing Rosen no favors. Opposing defenses appear to be ready for a lot of what Arizona is throwing at them.

Believing that Rosen was going to play well on a weekly basis would’ve been nothing more than wishful thinking. Less than spectacular efforts are certainly a part of the learning process. Patience is a virtue, and is something that Cardinals fans are going to need to exercise with Rosen.