5 reasons Carson Wentz is for real
By Adam Jacobs
![Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after his 73 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after his 73 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/631459023f93c6d995d61b664d534c1bb254373244a765ca363b052767d0a60b.jpg)
3 – Better than any rookie QB … ever?
Wentz is off to a great start by veteran standards, and compared to other rookies, he is quite impressive. Unlike most rookies, Wentz has been able to take care of the ball with zero interceptions in over 100 pass attempts.
The praise Wentz is receiving comes with some trepidation, as many rookie quarterbacks have skyrocketed only to soon fizzle out. RG3 (Robert Griffin III) immediately comes to mind; he started great, statistically second to Wentz, only to fall dramatically. According to Pro Football Focus, Wentz has a PFF QB grade of 90.2 out of 100, the best in the league this year so far. The Eagles starter has the highest PFF grade of any rookie ever, while RG3 had a grade of 89.4. Griffin ultimately wasn’t able to stay healthy and hasn’t yet shown the ability to stay on the field a full season sicne. These two quarterbacks’ styles are very different and most believe Wentz’s body will hold up better to the NFL game in the long run.
Carson Wentz is the first quarterback since 1970 to win his first three games without throwing a single interception. As a rookie, Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets also went 3-0 in 2009 but he tossed two picks in that span. Wentz continues to adapt and become more comfortable in the NFL, a bad sign for opposing defenses and the rest of the NFC East in particular.
Impressive stats are nothing new to the former North Dakota State player. He put up 45 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and had a 64% completion percentage in college while also running for almost 1,000 yards and 12 scores. He won two FCS National Championships at North Dakota State his junior and senior years. Wentz is a proven winner, no matter the level of competition, as winning back-to-back championships is not an easy task whatsoever. His skill set is impressive and I don’t see him slowing anytime soon. If he can stay healthy, I this surely could be a record-setting rookie year.