I was listening to sports radio out here in Massachusetts today, and they were talking about rookie football players hitting the "rookie wall" because obviously they only play 12 regular season games in college, and then they make it to the pros and play 4 preseason games where they usually see extensive play, followed by 16 regular season games, and then possibly the playoffs.

We all know and are a little worried that the lack of game time will make Matthews and Raji rusty going into the regular season, but could it be beneficial to them as well by helping them avoid the rookie wall?

When all is said and done, is this delay to get them both on the field actually a plus, or still a minus?

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I think in the end it is still a minus.

When you hear someone like Kampy talk, he is quite open about the need to get reps in this system to truly get comfortable. Raji and Mathews have missed valuable reps.

I don't think anyone actually doubts either of the two top picks are going to see good chunks of playing time in the games - but I'd prefer if they'd had reps to be more sure of their assignments in the system.

The rookie wall is unavoidable - even if they played pre-season games their snap count would have been real limited. From that end, it wouldn't have been a huge toll on them, IMO. I personally think the benefits of better understanding the system from a mental aspect far outweigh any potential negatives of lesser physical stamina.


Put much more simply: there won't be a rookie wall to worry about if Raji and Mathews don't get down the mental aspect of the 3-4, as they won't see any playing time unless they know what they are supposed to do in different situations. From that end, the time lost (and subsequent loss of reps) has hurt them much more than the positives of a temporary increase in stamina going forward.

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So now we know why Crabtree is holding out -- to keep himself fresh for the 49ers Super Bowl run! :D

Interesting theory, Mass. We'll have to see how it plays out. I tend to harbor the fear that missed preseason time increases injury risk.

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Yes there is some truth to the physical aspect of the "wall"... but more over I think it is the mental drain that zaps these kids around December.. In college, December for players was studying for tests and screwing off more than getting ready for the next week of ball..

In the pros, there is no month lag for them to get away from the game mentally.. and the mental grind overtakes them... there is no more room for partying with the frat brothers, no more breeze courses to divert your mind from the playbook or the gameplan.. Week after week there is always the next game..

IMO.. that is the brute force of the wall.. the mental grind.

So you ask if coming in late helps that... IMO, no, because right now for instance Raji is playing catchup mood and probably investing more in totality to get caught up to speed on the mental side.. where as some of the others that have made the roster get a bit of a break between the third and fourth week of preseason..

So in the end.. it probably is a wash.. no benefit in alluding the "wall".

Some have it in them to bust right through.. some it smacks them in the face.

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I'd say it's worse for long holdouts, for two reasons.

Seeing Raji's bull rush in the Buffalo game that ended in him falling face-first really demonstrated to me the ability-technique gap when you don't see enough reps. Dude had as much overwhelming power as you can ask for, but his efforts would probably have been more effective had he been able to adjust and pursue the passer.

Missing conditioning, then trying to ramp up and get to a level everyone else is on can be even more draining. Maybe it's something that could contribute even further to them hitting that wall.

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The point that's being made is the physical toll the players take, and it's an excellent point at that. The players definitely get more worn out by being in camp on time. So I would give you a +1 for that.

But, considering that they miss time watching film, learning from the coaches, sitting in on classes, building chemistry and improving communication with their teammates on top of the physical aspect, it's more important that they're in camp on time. Not to mention that training camp and pre-season actually gets your body in playing shape so you can actually adjust to the physical toll easier.

If it was a major benefit, teams wouldn't be trying to get their picks to camp on time.

Think of it this way-
You have a busy week ahead of you, and you'll probably be totally worn out by Friday morning. Does it help to skip out on Monday? I guess it could help a little in getting more rest, but you're screwed all week because you can't catch up, and you're busting your ass and getting stressed out.

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I think its a negative. The pro game compared to College ball is worls apart and if these guys dont get used to NFL action then they are going to get destroyed the first time they step onto the field.

You figure Raji and Matthews didnt see many 320+ guys in college (granted im sure they seen their fair share, but in College O-linemen tend to be a little smaller), so the first time they go up against an NFL linemen its something completely new.

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Surely you could avoid hitting the wall by becoming better conditioned, and the best way to get in football shape. Training Camp!

I'd rather the rookies play well for the first 12 games and then slowly decrease in performance than them playing catchup for at least 16

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