The Rams didn't get anything right about the draft last year. They mortgaged the farm for a QB that is only a marginally better NFL prospect than the guy who took his place at Cal and will probably be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round this year. Both will have a long road to hoe in the NFL and it's not just because they lack the knowledge coming from the college offenses in which they've been formed, it's also because they lack the technique that is interlinked with that knowledge. It is very much the same reason GRob fails as a LOT in the NFL. It's like learning a whole new position as opposed to merely acclimating to a greater level of talent once they arrive in the NFL.
Colleges aren't looking for "different kinds of QB." High schools are all running the spread option schemes and concepts too. It's simple and effective at that level, like it is the college level. They are the same kind of players, they simply aren't being trained the same at any step of the way until arriving in the NFL. Combine that with the limitations the CBA has now put on the ability of teams to develop young QB's (and other players) after they are drafted and you have a recipe for failure among young QB's in the league.
The problem with your Option 1 is that players need to be able to actually PLAY to learn and develop today. As mentioned previously, practice time is exceptionally limited and starters get almost all the reps during the season. They're too valuable to waste on developing somebody who won't actually be playing on Sunday. QB's today have to basically learn how to play all over again, learning all new technique and concepts and language that have to be applied together, without the benefit of actually getting to play. There is no beta environment. That's what college is/was supposed to be. It used to be they had some things to learn coming into the NFL so there was a period of adjustment but now it's that they have everything to learn.
The solution is that teams should stop gambling so much on QB's that have not had the requisite training coming into the league. Make it clear to QB's (as well as other positions) that their best path to the NFL is through a college program that runs pro style systems. Want to be an NFL QB? Go to Stanford, Michigan, Michigan, State, Alabama etc. Hell, even go to North Dakota State. Want to not get drafted high or at all? Go to a program that runs the Air Raid or some variation of it. I don't care how pretty you look or how nice your arm is or how many yards you threw for, you are a proven high risk prospect coming to us with deficient, even counterproductive training.
