The NFL is overrun with them. And, no, were not talking about former Patriots now working in the media.

Rather, its young starting quarterbacks.

Sixteen of the leagues 32 teams are guided by passers who have five years of experience or less. They include five sophomores and five rookies.

Indianapolis Andrew Luck, Washingtons Robert Griffin III, Miamis Ryan Tannehill, Clevelands Brandon Weeden and Seattles Russell Wilson, wholl face the Patriots today, are the rookies.

You have second-year pros in Carolinas Cam Newton, Tennessees Jake Locker, Minnesotas Christian Ponder, Cincinnatis Andy Dalton and Jacksonvilles Blaine Gabbert.

St. Louis Sam Bradford is in his third year; Detroits Matthew Stafford, Tampa Bays Josh Freeman and the Jets Mark Sanchez are in their fourth season; and the graybeards of the group, Atlantas Matt Ryan and Baltimores Joe Flacco, are in their fifth year.

Of that group, only Locker sat for his first season. The clipboard-carrying apprenticeship that used to be mandatory for the position is as outdated as the iPhone 3GS.

There are two generally held beliefs for this. First, its easier to succeed in todays NFL with its passer-friendly rules. Second, quarterbacks increasingly have become professionals before they actually turn pro.

I think the biggest reason why and I deal with this more than anyone else in the country at the younger age groups is theyre just so much more advanced in their learning curve, said Trent Dilfer, an ESPN analyst and Elite 11 coach, which is a program for exceptional high school passing prospects.

In Texas, from the time youre 10 years old, youre in passing camps and seven-on-seven tournaments, and teams are throwing the ball (in games). In Southern California, its the same way. Its even got into Ohio and Pennsylvania and places where they never used to throw it. Florida is loaded with seven-on-seven tournaments and teams going to pass-driven offenses.

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NFL: Quarterbacks primed for success during early years