So I decided to look at how other "elite" corners in the AFC fared early in their careers.

Want to guess what I am about to tell you?

Yep, Kareem is doing a good job for what he is being asked to do.

Antonio Cromartie did not start his first year.  That's right, he got to spend a year learning the NFL game.

Nnamdi Asomugha started only 8 games in his first TWO years.  When he finally did start for an entire season he had 14 passes defended and NO interception.

Darelle Revis did start his rookie year and had 17 passed defended and 3 interceptions.

Kareem Jackson has 5 passes defended and 1 int through 5 games. Putting him on pace for 16 PDs and 3 Ints....in other words.....He is matching Darelle Revis' rookie stats right now.

Consider also that Jackson is on a MUCH MUCH MUCH weaker defense that Revis was, and has very little support, unlike Revis.

Oh and Dunta Robinson this season?  3 Passes defended and no ints.....ya, just sayin.

Kareem is in a position that VERY VERY few rookie corners have been asked to fill, starter.

CB and QB are the two positions in the NFL where starting as a rookie is almost always a bad idea, with few exceptions.

So my point in all of this is, lay off Kareem.  He is a good player who has been the victim of a bad decision.  CBs need to sit for a year to learn the NFL game.  He does not have that luxury.

Yes, he is going to get burned.  The idea of a "shutdown" ROOKIE corner is not just absurd, it's criminally stupid. 

Kareem Jackson will likely end up being a very good CB by his second or third year, just like the other elite corners in the NFL.

Expecting anything more is just setting ourselves up for disappointment.