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Getbig Misc Discussion Boards => Sports Discussion Boards => Topic started by: Dos Equis on October 18, 2011, 12:36:08 PM

Title: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on October 18, 2011, 12:36:08 PM
So I've been hearing that Luck is the undisputed no. 1 overall pick for the 2012 draft.  But I've been looking at the numbers on Baylor QB Robert Griffin.  Pretty amazing.

Haven't seen either one of them play.  For anyone who has watched both of them, what makes Luck that much better than Griffin? 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on October 20, 2011, 10:27:30 AM
So I've been hearing that Luck is the undisputed no. 1 overall pick for the 2012 draft.  But I've been looking at the numbers on Baylor QB Robert Griffin.  Pretty amazing.

Haven't seen either one of them play.  For anyone who has watched both of them, what makes Luck that much better than Griffin? 

I like Griffin at the college level, but he is no where near as polished as Luck is right now.  Luck makes some throws that some starting NFL qb's would struggle to make. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on October 20, 2011, 02:03:06 PM
I like Griffin at the college level, but he is no where near as polished as Luck is right now.  Luck makes some throws that some starting NFL qb's would struggle to make. 

Thanks.  I guess I need to watch Luck play, because people are fawing all over the kid. 

The thing that stands out to me about Griffin's stats is his completion percentage.  Accuracy is one of the things that translates into NFL success. 

Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on October 21, 2011, 07:06:54 AM
Thanks.  I guess I need to watch Luck play, because people are fawing all over the kid. 

The thing that stands out to me about Griffin's stats is his completion percentage.  Accuracy is one of the things that translates into NFL success. 



Baylor has a nice system to help his accuracy, but most of his throws aren't "NFL" type throws....ie: 20 yard outs, etc...  I think Griffin could play in the NFL, but Luck is most likely a Pro Bowl player.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on October 21, 2011, 11:45:26 AM
Baylor has a nice system to help his accuracy, but most of his throws aren't "NFL" type throws....ie: 20 yard outs, etc...  I think Griffin could play in the NFL, but Luck is most likely a Pro Bowl player.

There is a lot of talk out there about "throwing the ball down the field," but that's not the reality of most offenses these days.  The Bill Walsh Offense (aka the West Coast Offense) run by a lot of offenses in some form or another involves a short-to-mid-range passing game.  

Take a look at Griifin's yards per attempt:  10.7.  Luck's is 9.5.

In the NFL, Rodgers leader the NFL in yards per attempt at 9.75.  Everyone else is less.  Those 20-yard outs are more the exception than the rule.  

That said, I do believe arm strength is important, though not as important as accuracy.  
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on October 21, 2011, 01:35:02 PM
There is a lot of talk out there about "throwing the ball down the field," but that's not the reality of most offenses these days.  The Bill Walsh Offense (aka the West Coast Offense) run by a lot of offenses in some form or another involves a short-to-mid-range passing game. 

Take a look at Griifin's yards per attempt:  10.7.  Luck's is 9.5.

In the NFL, Rodgers leaders the NFL in yards per attempt at 9.75.  Everyone else is less.  Those 20-yard outs are more the exception than the rule. 

That said, I do believe arm strength is important, though not as important as accuracy. 

I agree with what you are saying, but I think the way the NFL looks at it is that a guy has to be a threat to make the longer throws to make the defense honest.  Even the true west coast offenses need to stretch the field on occasion, and I think that is what separtes guys.  I also think accuracy is the most important thing...but the NFL scouts look at hours of film.  It's not always complete pct that equates to a QB being accurate.  A QB could make the right throw, right on the money and a guy not make the catch, for example.  with the way everybody is raving about Luck and him having played under Harbaugh, i think he will be a very solid nfl qb.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on October 21, 2011, 02:48:23 PM
I agree with what you are saying, but I think the way the NFL looks at it is that a guy has to be a threat to make the longer throws to make the defense honest.  Even the true west coast offenses need to stretch the field on occasion, and I think that is what separtes guys.  I also think accuracy is the most important thing...but the NFL scouts look at hours of film.  It's not always complete pct that equates to a QB being accurate.  A QB could make the right throw, right on the money and a guy not make the catch, for example.  with the way everybody is raving about Luck and him having played under Harbaugh, i think he will be a very solid nfl qb.

I pretty much agree.

I do, however, think too much emphasis is placed on arm strength.  Remember JaMarcus Russell?  Could supposedly throw the ball more than 50 yards on his knees.  Couldn't play worth a lick. 

I agree completion percentage doesn't always equate to a QB being accurate (or inaccurate), but it's a good measure.  Overall, I trust what I see much more than statistics.  That's why I asked about these two guys.  Thanks for educating me about them.  I'll try and check out a Stanford (and Baylor) game. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on October 21, 2011, 05:23:31 PM
I pretty much agree.

I do, however, think too much emphasis is placed on arm strength.  Remember JaMarcus Russell?  Could supposedly throw the ball more than 50 yards on his knees.  Couldn't play worth a lick. 

I agree completion percentage doesn't always equate to a QB being accurate (or inaccurate), but it's a good measure.  Overall, I trust what I see much more than statistics.  That's why I asked about these two guys.  Thanks for educating me about them.  I'll try and check out a Stanford (and Baylor) game. 

No problem, I'm certainly not an expert.  And i agree about the "big arm" thing.  It means next to nothing if a guy isn't at least fairly accurate on intermediate and short throws.  I like a QB who is more described as having a "strong" arm, as in can rifle the ball more than a "big arm" who can throw it a mile, but puts a ton of air under it.  That works about once every two or three games in the NFL....if you're lucky.

Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 05, 2011, 10:35:18 PM
Sounds like RG III is the favorite to win the Heisman.  Here is how he and Luck ended up:

Luck
261 for 373, 3170 yards, 70.0%, 8.5 ypa, 35 TDs, 9 INTs, 167.5 rating, 153 yards rushing, 2 TDs

Griffin
267 for 369, 3998 yards, 72.4%, 10.8 ypa, 36 TDs, 6 INTs, 192.3 rating, 644 yards rushing, 9 TDs
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on December 06, 2011, 08:07:36 AM
Matt Barkley owns  both
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on December 06, 2011, 08:08:56 AM
Sounds like RG III is the favorite to win the Heisman.  Here is how he and Luck ended up:

Luck
261 for 373, 3170 yards, 70.0%, 8.5 ypa, 35 TDs, 9 INTs, 167.5 rating, 153 yards rushing, 2 TDs

Griffin
267 for 369, 3998 yards, 72.4%, 10.8 ypa, 36 TDs, 6 INTs, 192.3 rating, 644 yards rushing, 9 TDs


DAmn hard to argue.. but i would still say Luck. He is still in a RUN FIRST offense.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 06, 2011, 12:30:25 PM

DAmn hard to argue.. but i would still say Luck. He is still in a RUN FIRST offense.

Maybe, but Luck actually has more pass attempts than Griffin (but fewer yards). 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on December 07, 2011, 12:38:33 PM
RG III will most likely win the Heisman and Luck will be the overall #1 pick and a better pro.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 07, 2011, 01:09:35 PM
RG III will most likely win the Heisman and Luck will be the overall #1 pick and a better pro.

Will be interesting to see where they land.  Luck is probably going to Indy. 

BTW, I heard someone say that RG III is a world class sprinter? 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on December 08, 2011, 09:53:51 AM
Will be interesting to see where they land.  Luck is probably going to Indy. 

BTW, I heard someone say that RG III is a world class sprinter? 

I wouldn't doubt it.  He is an incredible athlete.  Makes people miss in the pocket a lot.  He reminds me somewhat of Michael Vick in that way, but he is a much better passer at this stage of his career.  He can run, but already prefers to stand in the pocket and go thru progressions.  I've heard he's a very bright guy too, and he does speak very well.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 11, 2011, 10:57:30 AM
I am officially an RG III fan.  Excellence on the field.  He already has his undergrad degree and is working on a grad degree.  Great Heisman speech.  Knocked it out of the park in less than two minutes.

Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on December 11, 2011, 06:12:54 PM
Totally agree Beach.  Classy guy with a great family.  Very happy to see someone of that caliber win it.  And also thought Luck handled the question after vote very well. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Oldschool Flip on January 08, 2012, 10:45:15 PM
There is a lot of talk out there about "throwing the ball down the field," but that's not the reality of most offenses these days.  The Bill Walsh Offense (aka the West Coast Offense) run by a lot of offenses in some form or another involves a short-to-mid-range passing game.  

Take a look at Griifin's yards per attempt:  10.7.  Luck's is 9.5.

In the NFL, Rodgers leader the NFL in yards per attempt at 9.75.  Everyone else is less.  Those 20-yard outs are more the exception than the rule.  

That said, I do believe arm strength is important, though not as important as accuracy.  
Druckenmiller had a strong arm................
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 09, 2012, 12:01:16 PM
Druckenmiller had a strong arm................

Yeah, he did.  That dog.  Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark really ran that franchise into the ground.   >:(
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 11, 2012, 12:57:50 PM
Updated: January 4, 2012
Colts should pick Griffin, not Luck
By Jemele Hill
ESPN.com

After Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay made the bold decision on Monday to fire team vice chairman Bill Polian and his son, Chris, the general manager, the typically steady Colts were suddenly cast into a state of calculated upheaval.

Who'll be running the Colts' front office isn't clear. And since the Polians' ouster effectively put coach Jim Caldwell's future with the team in a holding pattern, who will coach the Colts next season is a mystery, too.

But what the Colts should do with the No. 1 pick couldn't be more obvious.

Forget about Stanford's Andrew Luck. The Colts should use the top pick on Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

Andrew Luck sounded more interested in starting in the NFL than waiting his turn when he spoke after the Fiesta Bowl.

Of course, this is assuming that the Colts keep the pick. If another team offers the Colts multiple high draft picks for the No. 1, the Colts have to take the deal in order to maximize the remainder of Peyton Manning's Hall of Fame career.

But if a sweetheart deal doesn't materialize, drafting Griffin makes more sense for the Colts than selecting Luck.

This isn't a criticism of Luck, a dynamic NFL prospect who is the most pro-ready quarterback in college football. Luck has all the tools -- size, arm strength, intelligence, maturity, leadership, on top of being a pretty good athlete. If Luck pans out, his NFL team wouldn't have to worry about the quarterback position for a decade.

So if Luck is that good, why not draft him No. 1 overall?

For the Colts, this decision must be based on more than just which quarterback is better now. The Colts need to be able to use the No. 1 pick not only to plan for life without Manning, but also to give themselves the best opportunity to win now.

Manning's future in Indianapolis is uncertain. The Colts must decide in March if they will pay him a $28 million option bonus that activates the final four years of his five-year, $90 million contract. If the Colts elect not to pay Manning, he'll become an unrestricted free agent.

Obviously, Manning's health is the primary issue. Even at 35 years old, if Manning is healthy, he's an elite quarterback.

Griffin Vs. Luck
There is little question Andrew Luck remains the better prospect and should be the pick for the Colts. Steve Muench 

Should Manning return at full strength, does he really want to spend the last few years of his career with Luck -- whom Indianapolis fans were clamoring for during the Colts' free fall this season -- lurking behind him?

In December, Manning's father, Archie, indicated that the answer to that question was no. During a Fox Sports radio interview, Archie said that having Luck and Manning on the same team wouldn't make much sense for either player.

"I think Andrew's the type of mature player … he can walk right in," Archie said then.

Archie Manning was serving as a de facto mouthpiece for his son and firing a subtle warning that Peyton Manning didn't want to coexist with Luck. Archie later backtracked, and even though Peyton attempted to do some damage control, the Mannings' comments raise some interesting questions about the potential relationship dynamic between Manning and Luck.

Whether Archie Manning's comments were benign or not doesn't matter at this point. If the Colts take Luck, despite Manning's numerous, impressive accomplishments, expect a full-fledged quarterback controversy almost immediately.

Robert Griffin III has the legs to go with his NFL arm.

I just don't see that happening if the Colts draft Griffin, who has just as much talent and high-character intangibles as Luck.

Both Griffin and Luck could play right away, but Luck is a more polished product. Griffin, on the other hand, could benefit from sitting behind Manning awhile. He could be another Aaron Rodgers, who sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons before becoming Green Bay's starter in 2008.

Also, the quarterback position in the NFL is changing. Traditional pocket passers are still a desired commodity, but the idea that an athletic quarterback is a liability is outdated. By breaking Manning's rookie passing-yardage record, Cam Newton showed a more dangerous quarterback model is emerging -- a pass-first, freakish athlete who can make dazzling plays with his legs.

Newton and Griffin are different players, but Griffin fits the general mode that Newton established. Griffin's running ability is as rare as Newton's and Michael Vick's. Griffin, an All-American in track at Baylor, possesses legitimate 4.4 speed. If you combine that with the fact that he throws perhaps the most accurate deep ball in college football, Griffin's upside is absolutely staggering.

The Colts are in the unenviable position of trying to set themselves up for the future in the presence of a living legend. It's a delicate process and if the Colts aren't careful, they could alienate Manning and may be forced to take a hard stance about his future prematurely.

This isn't to say that if the Colts chose Luck, they would be making a horrible mistake. But Griffin gives the Colts a chance to win right now and for years to come.

Jemele Hill can be reached at jemeleespn@gmail.com.

http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7419742/robert-griffin-iii-not-andrew-luck-right-pick-indianapolis-colts
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on February 18, 2012, 05:58:13 PM
Not lacking in confidence.  Looks like he brings everything to the table that Luck does, with much better mobility.  

After surprising Heisman win, Griffin hopes to surprise in draft

INDIANAPOLIS -- There may or may not be any significance in the order Gatorade brought the NFL draft's top two quarterback prospects to the Super Bowl this week -- Andrew Luck first, on Thursday, and Robert Griffin III second, on Friday -- but that's certainly not the order Griffin is resigning himself to in terms of how events will unfold in late April's first round.

In a wide-ranging one-on-one interview with SI.com Friday morning in the Super Bowl media center, the Heisman winner from Baylor, given the shorthand moniker RGIII, touched on multiple topics that will take center stage in the coming weeks, including:

• How he plans to compete for the No. 1 overall pick with Stanford's Luck, who he labeled the onetime "de facto Heisman winner and de facto No. 1 pick."
• His thoughts on either replacing or playing with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, and being the Colts' choice for the top slot.
• How Cam Newton's stellar rookie year in the NFL opened more minds to the advantages of a running, more athletic quarterback.
• His hope that no team gives up too much in terms of trading veteran talent to move up in the draft to take him.
• And why he considers himself the best, most multitalented quarterback available in this year's draft, a case he is not hesitant to make.

Griffin was in Indianapolis taking part in the same Gatorade testing regimen at its Sports Science Institute that Luck participated in on Thursday, and he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his first trip to a Super Bowl city while making the rounds with the media.

Griffin will be back here in about three weeks for the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February, and he's not shy about his intentions at that upcoming and high profile job fair.

"It's going to be a great experience at the combine, talking to all the NFL teams," Griffin said. "Hopefully I'll end up here via the draft, but I have no control over that. All I can control is what I say and what I do, and I plan on saying the right things and just being myself, and doing everything I possibly can to show everyone I am the best."

Griffin came from off the radar screen this season to beat out Stanford's Luck for the Heisman, and he sounds as if he likes the underdog role in his quest to be drafted first overall. Colts owner Jim Irsay, who owns the No. 1 pick, has said his team plans to take a quarterback, and it will be either Luck or Griffin.

"That's huge," said Griffin of Irsay's oft-stated intentions. "It's every kid's dream. Every kid wants to be the first pick in the draft. I wouldn't say no to it. I'm glad he at least put me in that conversation and hasn't already made it a foregone conclusion that he's going with Andrew, like a lot of people have.

"As long as that door's open, I'm going to keep trying to run through it. And when it is closed, I'm not going to sit there and wait behind it and cry. I'll just keep moving forward."

Griffin said he and Luck are friends and "pretty cool" as competitors fighting for the same prize. But make no mistake, this is a competition that Griffin intends to fully wage this winter and spring as the pre-draft buildup and scouting season unfolds.

"For me, a quarterback's best friend, especially a young quarterback's best friend, is a coach who believes in him," Griffin said. "So if Jim Irsay and [new Colts] coach [Chuck] Pagano believe in me as a player and want to go with me, I'm happy for it. If they don't believe in me, and they believe in Andrew Luck, then go with Andrew Luck.

"My job is to build that belief in every coach and every owner, that they can put the franchise in my hands and I can take it uphill from there. Obviously, everyone wants to be No. 1, but I'm not going to campaign. I'm just going to go out and show what I've got."

Having next to no preseason Heisman buzz working on his behalf, Griffin had a lot of work to do to generate widespread support during his standout junior season with Baylor, in order to overtake the favored Luck and inject himself into the race. There are some who believe he's about to do the same thing atop the draft. Among his growing fans are former Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who has been quoted saying the more mobile Griffin would be his first choice, ahead of even the almost unanimously acclaimed Luck.

The momentum does seem like it's headed Griffin's way. By the time the draft rolls around, some teams are likely to have him rated higher on the draft board than Luck, who has been described as the best passing prospect since Peyton Manning, and was considered an eventual No. 1 overall pick for his last two seasons at Stanford.

"Perception is reality, and at the beginning of the year I wasn't on many radars," Griffin said. "I did have a lot more ground to cover than he did. He was the de facto Heisman winner and the de facto No. 1 pick. We already took one of those from him and we plan to continue to go out there and do that. Whether it's with the first pick in the draft, a playoff win, or who goes to the first Super Bowl.

"I will use that as a driving force, whether I go first, second, third or fourth in the draft. The fact I wasn't out there with people believing in me is going to be the key to drive me to be a better player. So it'll always be a competition between me and Andrew, just because we're in the same class and the media is going to paint it that way. I don't have anything against him, and he doesn't have anything against me. We're just competitors. Outside of that, we're pretty cool."

Griffin said whether it's the Colts at No. 1, the Browns at No. 4, or Washington at No. 6, he will use the combine to help sell a team on his potential and his blend of talents. He said there were even discussions in his own locker room early this season about whether he belonged in the top quarterback debate, but he's used to making his strongest case with his play rather than his words.

"I hate to talk about myself like that, but if I had to straight up tell a head coach or an owner why they should take me, it's because I'm the best in everything I've done," Griffin said. "I'm the most accurate. I have the strongest arm. I may not be the tallest. I may not be the heaviest. But I'm the best quarterback in the nation, and if they pass on me, then I understand. But I'm going to go out and be the best quarterback for somebody else.

"It's about consistency. And I was able to go out and make the nation a believer. I was able to make my own teammates believers, too. And that means even more to me, that they regarded me as the best quarterback in the nation."

Griffin has been following the drama surrounding Peyton Manning's future in Indianapolis, but more as a fan than in terms of how it might impact his own fate in the draft, or at the start of his NFL career.
"Whatever Jim Irsay decides, whether it's, 'Hey, it's time for [Manning] to move on, or we want you to come back,' I can't control that," Griffin said. "I've never met Jim Irsay. I've met Peyton, and I told him if I get the honor to play with him, I'd love it. I hope he gets to play as long as he wants to, wherever he wants to.

"It wouldn't be a burden to play behind him with the Colts. Nothing in life is a foregone conclusion, so Peyton could be here this year. If the Colts decided to draft me to learn from him and be the future down the road, that's a win-win for me, because Peyton's a legend and he knows what it takes to win and to be great. I would love to learn from a guy like that."

Wherever Griffin lands in the draft, Newton's eye-opening rookie season in Carolina likely will raise the bar of expectation for him, and, perhaps, help pave the way for more understanding of how to build an NFL offense around his package of athletic skills. Like Newton, Griffin has a strong, accurate arm, and the ability to make defenses pay with his feet and speed.

"There are traditional ways to win, and there's branching out with ideas that can also help you win in a more nonconventional way," Griffin said. "Cam brought awareness to that. But for people who have watched the game and know the game, they know there are guys like Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham and Steve Young, who have been athletic, mobile quarterbacks in the past.

"Drew Brees runs a little bit. Aaron Rodgers runs a little bit. The days of the big quarterback who can't move very well, they're not completely over, but they're not everywhere any more. There's no one way to do it. Those guys can go out and be successful. But I think just because of the year Cam Newton had, and guys who showed it in the past, having an athlete at quarterback is not a bad thing."

If Luck does go first to the Colts, the Rams at No. 2 could opt to put their pick up for auction, on the chance that a quarterback-needy team like the Browns or Redskins could put together a trade package and try to move up for the rights to Griffin. St. Louis is thought to be committed to keeping 2010 No. 1 pick Sam Bradford at quarterback.

Griffin has heard the speculation, but said he has a vested interest in hoping no blockbuster deal goes down, unless it involves only draft picks being dealt, not veteran players.

"Whatever team you go to, you want to have guys who help you be successful there," he said. "And if the trade involves players who are important to that team, it could rob you of the ability to compete. I don't want anyone giving up five guys, and I've heard references to the Herschel Walker trade. You don't want to go there. If teams want to trade just picks, that will work."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/don_banks/02/03/robert-griffin/index.html?sct=nfl_bf2_a5
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on February 18, 2012, 06:28:15 PM
RGIII with Shanahan in Washington would be a perfect fit. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on February 20, 2012, 01:40:15 PM
A few things you may not know about the top two QBs in the draft

It's time to meet and get to know a whole new group of NFL prospects. Starting Thursday in Indianapolis, 326 players, 750 media members and 900 agents or so will collide at the stadium the Manning brothers made famous, Lucas Oil, for the rites of passage from college to pro football known as the NFL Scouting Combine.

Every combine has a story, just as every draft has one. Often it's about the quarterback. Fourteen years ago, with a significantly smaller media crowd (maybe 10 or 12 reporters) on hand, Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf competed to be No. 1, and Leaf came in overweight and botched his interview with the first-picking Colts, and the rest is history. Five years ago, it was the duel (yikes!) between JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, two guys who clearly did not like each other, for the top spot in the draft. This year, there's about as much drama accompanying the top pick as 2007. Al Davis wanted the big arm of Russell then. I believe Jim Irsay wants the risk-averse Andrew Luck of Stanford to lead the Colts now. We shall see. But prepare this week for an onslaught of news about Luck and the quarterback sure to be taken very soon after him (likely second if St. Louis trades the pick, or third or fourth if the Rams don't deal), Baylor's Robert Griffin III.

I spoke to their two coaches late last week, Art Briles of Baylor and David Shaw of Stanford, just to get a flavor of the two top prospects in the draft, and what impressed me was how similar the two quarterbacks are in many ways.

Both are 22 (born exactly five months apart). Both were recruited by Stanford. (Didn't know that, did you? Shaw, then Stanford's offensive coordinator, went hard after Griffin, even with Luck already in house; Griffin preferred Baylor, where he knew he'd have a chance to play early and often after starring at Briles' football camp.) Both were high school stars in Texas. (Luck at Houston Stratford, Griffin at Copperas Cove.) Both declared for the draft with a year of college eligibility left. Both starred academically; Griffin graduated with a 3.67 grade-point average in political science, and Luck was an academic All-America in architectural design and engineering. Both are athletic, though Griffin's more of an athlete. He had a Cam Newton-type career, with 2,199 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns at Baylor.

But what's most interesting aside from the football is what both coaches stressed about their players. I asked both coaches to tell me about the life each man is about to dive into. In college, there was pressure on the shoulders of both Luck and Griffin, obviously. College football is a pressure-packed sport at the level each was playing in. But, I told Shaw and Briles, both players are about to enter a different world. There will be pressure to succeed from a city, a region and the national and local media, and to succeed right away. They will be playing for teams, in all likelihood, that were not very good in 2011. They'll be looked at as saviors.

"How will they respond?'' I asked.

Shaw, on Luck: "You saw the USC game this year. Andrew threw an interception in the fourth quarter that they returned for a touchdown to put them up, and then we had to respond. He went to everybody on the offense on the sideline. His message was the same up and down the sideline: 'We have no choice here. We're going to take the ball downfield and score, and we're gonna win.' He drove them to the tying touchdown, and we won in overtime. That's who he is. He will not accept failure, in anything. Wherever he goes, he will have a drive to succeed. And when he gets picked, all the extraneous stuff, he'll do what he has to do.

"But all the stuff he can't control, I guarantee you he won't worry about it. He's a guy who will have faith in his coaches. I can't tell you how smart he is. I used to tell him, 'OK, take the stuff you don't want out of this game plan. Kill the plays you don't like.' He hated that. HATED it. The way he knows football, the coach coaches, and he plays. So wherever he goes, he's going to master what is in his control, and he's going to forget everything else. It's not his job.

"One other thing: I remember early on at Stanford, I told him one time, 'Andrew, this is your huddle, take charge of the huddle.' He looked at me and said, 'Coach, before that can be my huddle, I have to earn it. I don't want it handed to me.' That is how he will approach the NFL -- like whatever he gets, he'll earn. The position is about finding completions, about moving the offense. You watch how he played, how he checked down, how he always found the open receiver. He will have no ego about throwing the ball deep or throwing it short. He'll be throwing for completions.''
Briles, on Griffin: "The thing about Robert is he's a football player. Some of his happiest times are not when he's done something great himself, but when he's done something for a teammate. You ask him about our bowl game against Washington this year, and he'll tell you the play he loved was making a block downfield to spring our ballcarrier. That's what his new team will realize about him. It's not about the stats, or the fame. It's about elevating the team any way he can.

"I believe with Robert that going to a team that isn't very good will be inspiring to him. Because he'll realize he has to elevate that team any way possible. If you allow people responsibility, you'll soon find out if they have the capacity to handle it. Robert always could handle as much as you gave him. And I don't mean to keep coming back to this but a leader on a team is one who cares for everyone else before he cares for himself. And the excitement and gratitude he has for others on his team ... it's something I saw every game he ever played. That's going to translate to the NFL. This is a great team player.''
More about Griffin and Luck from Indy later in the week.

It's all good now. The news always is in February. But the sense you get from the scouts and GMs who are studying both players is you won't find many holes in either one -- and certainly not on the personal side.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/02/19/king.free.agents/index.html?xid=cnnbin
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on February 26, 2012, 08:50:24 AM
Is he faster than Vick?

RGIII unofficially timed at 4.38 seconds in 40-yard dash
By NFL.com Staff

Published: February 26th, 2012 | Tags: 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, combine results, Robert Griffin III

INDIANAPOLIS — Robert Griffin III opened Sunday’s NFL Scouting Combine workouts with a flash, running 40-yard dashes in 4.38 and 4.41 seconds unofficially.

The Baylor QB, who’s expected to be picked in the top four of the NFL draft, didn’t do anything to hurt his stock, as no other signal-caller came close to his times. Griffin won’t throw at the combine, but he’s expected to do all other drills.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/02/26/rgiii-unofficially-timed-at-4-38-seconds-in-40-yard-dash/?module=HP11_headline_stack
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: wild willie on February 26, 2012, 06:04:36 PM
So I've been hearing that Luck is the undisputed no. 1 overall pick for the 2012 draft.  But I've been looking at the numbers on Baylor QB Robert Griffin.  Pretty amazing.

Haven't seen either one of them play.  For anyone who has watched both of them, what makes Luck that much better than Griffin? 
They are both sensational football players....I watched Luck play against Notre Dame...He had a good ball game.....Griffin is just as good...faster and a little more athletic....both guys are going to be fine professional players.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 10, 2012, 10:20:43 AM
Skins traded up to the no. 2 spot and looks like they will take RGIII.  I'd rather see him with the Skins than with the Browns, who were also trying to get the Rams pick. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: 2ND COMING on March 10, 2012, 05:58:59 PM
6th and 38th plus 1st rd picks in 13'/14'

Putting all you eggs in one basket much?
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on March 10, 2012, 06:10:03 PM
Skins traded up to the no. 2 spot and looks like they will take RGIII.  I'd rather see him with the Skins than with the Browns, who were also trying to get the Rams pick. 

I agree.  Much rather see him play in Washington than disappear in Cleveland.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on March 12, 2012, 08:46:59 AM
I agree.  Much rather see him play in Washington than disappear in Cleveland.

No weapons in Washington really. What do you think?
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 17, 2012, 09:49:46 AM
I agree.  Much rather see him play in Washington than disappear in Cleveland.

Cleveland is a black hole. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on March 17, 2012, 11:09:36 AM
No weapons in Washington really. What do you think?

Garcon and Morgan aren't awful and I think Hankerson could develop if he stays healthy.  RG makes everybody around him so much better that I think he can do it without a loaded roster.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 17, 2012, 12:19:05 PM
Santana Moss is inconsistent, but still a very good WR.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 25, 2012, 02:34:47 PM
RGIII's arm stronger than Luck's?

07:28 AM ET 03.23 | Yesterday we saw much of Robert Griffin III's pro day workout on the NFL network. Today we have seen Andrew Luck going through his Pro Day at Stanford. How do they compare? It can be difficult to do a fair comparison because they didn't work out under the same conditions. At Baylor, the pro day was done at an indoor practice facility under perfect conditions. Ideal temperature, no wind. Stanford's workout was outdoors with cool temperature and moderate to strong wind.In saying all of this I will say that RGIII has a better arm than Luck but not a significantly better arm. Luck's arm strength is more in line with Matt Ryan's. He has plenty enough arm strength to be a top QB in the league. Just remember, arm strength doesn't make the prospect -- it's how he plays the game.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/325977-rgiiis-arm-stronger-than-lucks
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on March 26, 2012, 07:31:31 AM
Cleveland is a black hole. 

Racist post reported
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on April 21, 2012, 11:32:53 AM
Mike Mayock: No red flags for Robert Griffin III
WASHINGTON REDSKINS | COMMENTS

(http://sinfl.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/robert-griffin1.jpg)
Mike Mayock doesn't see any concerns with Robert Griffin III's character. (AP)

On the same day that a report surfaced confirming the Colts’ plan to select Andrew Luck No. 1 overall next week, expected No. 2 draft pick Robert Griffin III took some shots from a couple of unnamed scouts who, in a piece by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel‘s Bob McGinn, said that Griffin had “a little bit of a selfish streak” and that experts “are ignoring a lot of bad tape that he’s had.”

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock has been a huge supporter of Griffin — not to mention the Redskins’ move up to No. 2 so they could select the Baylor QB. During a conference call Thursday, Mayock reiterated his faith in Griffin’s abilities.

“I didn’t see the report, and I haven’t seen any of those red flags,” Mayock said. “Now, I was only around the kid at the combine and his pro day — I spent some time with him in both situations — but I can speak much more adequately to what I’ve seen on tape.

“On tape, his character shows in his ability to win games, and (it showed) in the way his teammates rallied around him at his pro day. He has a naturally-charismatic personality that will draw people to him. Wide receivers are already lining up to play in Washington with him.”


SI’s Don Banks wrote Thursday about how the D.C. area has already fully embraced Griffin, who, barring a colossal surprise on draft day, will find himself in a Redskins uniform next season, with the expectation being that he can step in as the starter.

For his part, Griffin commented on McGinn’s report Thursday, saying: “It’s just when the draft gets closer, everybody’s going to try and find something wrong with you to try and pull you down, so I’m not going to sit here and argue that, well, that guy is dead wrong. But I think the people that know me — and even the people in the media have seen — know I’m not a selfish guy.”

Washington coughed up a small fortune to jump to the No. 2 spot in the draft. The Redskins gave St. Louis their 2012, 2013 and 2014 first-round picks, plus a 2012 second-rounder, in exchange for this year’s second selection.

Mayock, though, said Griffin’s ceiling is high enough that the trade was worthwhile for Washington.

“I give Mike Shanahan and that organization a ton of credit,” Mayock said. “You can argue all you want about if they gave away too many draft picks. But at the end of the day, if this kid is as good as he can be, it won’t matter.”

http://nfl.si.com/2012/04/19/mike-mayock-no-red-flags-for-robert-griffin-iii/
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on September 09, 2012, 06:07:31 PM
Just wanted to pull this back up for Beach.  ;D
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on September 10, 2012, 08:47:10 AM
lol.. not fair in the slightest... Saints D is awful..
Colts supporting cast Sucks
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: UPINTHEMGUTS on September 10, 2012, 09:00:52 AM
It's week one. People need to settle down about RG3.

Yeah..he looked impressive but Pierre Garcon did most of the hard work on that one touchdown. He threw the pass high and Garcon made a tough catch and took it to the house. Its not like he was bombing it down the field all game.

Defenses will adjust to his tendencies as the season progresses. Then we'll see how he does.

It's comical about how Redskin fans are losing their minds over this kid after one game.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on September 10, 2012, 12:16:52 PM
lol.. not fair in the slightest... Saints D is awful..
Colts supporting cast Sucks

True on both counts.  The year the Saints won the Bowl their defense just caused a boat load of turnovers, but wasn't good at stopping people.  Once that quit happening, because it was a fluke, the defense has been exposed ever since.

I like RGIII, but lets see him against the top defenses before we make him league MVP.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on September 10, 2012, 02:15:37 PM
Just wanted to pull this back up for Beach.  ;D

 :)  Outstanding performance by the rookie.  Looked very poised.  Still a lot of football left this season, but he's off to a tremendous start. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on September 10, 2012, 02:16:45 PM
Also, I liked the way Shanahan used him.  Had him complete a lot of short passes and screens to get his confidence up.  Good running game helped a lot too.  They looked like a well coached team. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 10, 2012, 03:14:49 PM
Through 13 games, they both have been playing very well, but edge to RGIII:

Luck
295 for 537, 3792 yards, 54.%, 18 TDs, 18 INTs, 223 yards rushing, 5 TDs

RGIII
233 for 351, 2906, 66%, 18 TDs, 4 INTs, 748 yards rushing, 6 TDs
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on December 10, 2012, 07:40:46 PM
Through 13 games, they both have been playing very well, but edge to RGIII:

Luck
295 for 537, 3792 yards, 54.%, 18 TDs, 18 INTs, 223 yards rushing, 5 TDs

RGIII
233 for 351, 2906, 66%, 18 TDs, 4 INTs, 748 yards rushing, 6 TDs
Luck will have better and longer career. I think Luck with coaching from Gruden would be awesome
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: CalvinH on December 11, 2012, 07:11:13 AM
Luck will have better and longer career. I think Luck with coaching from Gruden would be awesome

.


RG111 has already been lit up twice this year.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 11, 2012, 07:18:05 PM
Luck will have better and longer career. I think Luck with coaching from Gruden would be awesome


Perhaps, although RGIII outplayed him in college and has outplayed him through 13 games in the NFL.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Option D on December 11, 2012, 08:31:58 PM
Perhaps, although RGIII outplayed him in college and has outplayed him through 13 games in the NFL.

Luck looks more like Aaron Rodgers.
RGIIIs play puts him in a lot of danger/risk of injury.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Showstoppa on December 13, 2012, 08:16:09 AM
Luck looks more like Aaron Rodgers.
RGIIIs play puts him in a lot of danger/risk of injury.

And he isn't the biggest guy in the world either.... way too many big hits for just one season.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 13, 2012, 10:36:04 AM
Luck looks more like Aaron Rodgers.
RGIIIs play puts him in a lot of danger/risk of injury.

Meh.  Not convinced.  He's not Vick.  He's primarily a pocket passer with great mobility and accuracy. 

I'd say standing in the pocket for 40 times a game is more danagerous than running and sliding.  Plus Luck has run the ball 49 times.   

You think Luck looks like Aaron Rogers??  They shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath.  (RGIII either)  Luck doesn't have near the accuracy of Rogers. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 17, 2012, 10:48:24 AM
RGIII was the NFL's leader passer going into week 13.  Rodgers edged ahead of him and leads 104.7 to 104.2. 

Luck is 31st at 75.5.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/quarterbackRating/year/2012/seasontype/2
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: HDPhysiques on December 21, 2012, 11:59:38 AM
RGIII was the NFL's leader passer going into week 13.  Rodgers edged ahead of him and leads 104.7 to 104.2. 

Luck is 31st at 75.5.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing/sort/quarterbackRating/year/2012/seasontype/2

There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Luck has no running game, Washington does. Wash also has a much better D and special teams and more playmakers in all phases of the game. When Indy improves the talent around Luck, he will prove to be the superior player.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 21, 2012, 02:57:31 PM
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.

Luck has no running game, Washington does. Wash also has a much better D and special teams and more playmakers in all phases of the game. When Indy improves the talent around Luck, he will prove to be the superior player.

I agree stats can be misleading, although I don't think they are in this instance.  His numbers actually support his play on the field.  And you can just use the eyeball test.  Believe what you see.  He's a baller. 

I agree the Skins have a much better running game.  But Luck has Reggie Wayne. 

Defense?  Meh.  They both pretty much stink on D. 

You think RGIII is surrounded by talent now?  How good will he be when he has someone like Reggie Wayne? 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 27, 2012, 10:50:41 AM
RGIII makes the Pro Bowl.  Luck is an alternate.  Great seasons by both players. 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1458329-nfl-pro-bowl-2013-roster-afc-nfc-voting-results-selections-and-alternates
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: UPINTHEMGUTS on December 27, 2012, 02:16:25 PM
I agree stats can be misleading, although I don't think they are in this instance.  His numbers actually support his play on the field.  And you can just use the eyeball test.  Believe what you see.  He's a baller. 

I agree the Skins have a much better running game.  But Luck has Reggie Wayne. 

Defense?  Meh.  They both pretty much stink on D. 

You think RGIII is surrounded by talent now?  How good will he be when he has someone like Reggie Wayne? 

He is surrounded by talent in the backfield wth Alfred Morris at RB. He will eclispe 1500+ yards on the season and he adds to RGIII's deception in the pistol formation. He's able to drop back, hand it off to Morris or keep it on a bootleg. Once he gets a steady TE to go along with Pierre Garcon....He'll be even more dangerous.

As a Ravens fan it pains me to say it but...I'm a fan of his talent and he seems like a grounded, genuine person.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on December 27, 2012, 04:58:55 PM
He is surrounded by talent in the backfield wth Alfred Morris at RB. He will eclispe 1500+ yards on the season and he adds to RGIII's deception in the pistol formation. He's able to drop back, hand it off to Morris or keep it on a bootleg. Once he gets a steady TE to go along with Pierre Garcon....He'll be even more dangerous.

As a Ravens fan it pains me to say it but...I'm a fan of his talent and he seems like a grounded, genuine person.

A stud RB isn't exactly being surrounded by talent.  Someone surrounded by talent is Kaepernick (RB, TE, WR).  But no doubt Morris helped keep some of the pressure off RGIII.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: UPINTHEMGUTS on December 28, 2012, 08:07:49 AM
A stud RB isn't exactly being surrounded by talent.  Someone surrounded by talent is Kaepernick (RB, TE, WR).  But no doubt Morris helped keep some of the pressure off RGIII.

I think you're discounting Pierre Garcon a little....He's not too shabby when he's healthy. Anyway...RGIII is only going to get better. He needs to bulk up a little and get stronger in the offseason.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 10, 2013, 10:06:42 AM
I think you're discounting Pierre Garcon a little....He's not too shabby when he's healthy. Anyway...RGIII is only going to get better. He needs to bulk up a little and get stronger in the offseason.

Garcon is ok.  I think Santana Moss is better than him. 

RGIIII doesn't need to get bigger.  He's 217.  That's plenty of size to play QB in the NFL. 

Tough injury.  He shouldn't have been in the game.  Hope he recovers.  He has a bright future if healthy. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: UPINTHEMGUTS on January 10, 2013, 10:33:37 AM
Garcon is ok.  I think Santana Moss is better than him.  

RGIIII doesn't need to get bigger.  He's 217.  That's plenty of size to play QB in the NFL.  

Tough injury.  He shouldn't have been in the game.  Hope he recovers.  He has a bright future if healthy.  

He doesn't look 217 to me, more like 205. He does need to beef up some, especially in his upper body. That will come naturally as he trains and his body matures.

Name me another starting QB besides Josh Wilson who is less than 220 pounds? 217 is VERY light in today's NFL at the QB position and I doubt he weighs that much.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 10, 2013, 11:39:35 AM
He doesn't look 217 to me, more like 205. He does need to beef up some, especially in his upper body. That will come naturally as he trains and his body matures.

Name me another starting QB besides Josh Wilson who is less than 220 pounds? 217 is VERY light in today's NFL at the QB position and I doubt he weighs that much.

He looks about 217 to me, but even if he's a little lighter, that's fine.  Why does he need to beef up?  His arm strength is fine.  He hasn't had durability problems.  (I don't generally consider knee injuries to be problems with durability.) 

Drew Brees is 6' 209.  Russell Wilson is 5'11" 206.  Alex Smith is 6'4" 217. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: UPINTHEMGUTS on January 10, 2013, 12:37:10 PM
He looks about 217 to me, but even if he's a little lighter, that's fine.  Why does he need to beef up?  His arm strength is fine.  He hasn't had durability problems.  (I don't generally consider knee injuries to be problems with durability.) 

Drew Brees is 6' 209.  Russell Wilson is 5'11" 206.  Alex Smith is 6'4" 217. 

Adding some more muscle will help build a callous to smaller injuries caused by impact collision. And this is second serious knee injury since college. I guarantee that RGE will be at least 10 pounds heavier than he is now by the 2014 season.

And you named me just two other guys outside of Wilson. Clearly, being less than 220 pounds at the QB position is not the norm in the NFL.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 10, 2013, 01:49:47 PM
Adding some more muscle will help build a callous to smaller injuries caused by impact collision. And this is second serious knee injury since college. I guarantee that RGE will be at least 10 pounds heavier than he is now by the 2014 season.

And you named me just two other guys outside of Wilson. Clearly, being less than 220 pounds at the QB position is not the norm in the NFL.

He's pretty much only had knee injuries.  Additional bulk, particularly in his upper body, will do nothing to prevent the kinds of knee injuries he has suffered. 

You asked for one.  I gave you two.   :)  Sure it's not the norm.  Neither is a 6' QB (Brees).  That doesn't mean a player has to be taller or heavier to be successful. 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: UPINTHEMGUTS on January 10, 2013, 02:46:03 PM
He's pretty much only had knee injuries.  Additional bulk, particularly in his upper body, will do nothing to prevent the kinds of knee injuries he has suffered. 

You asked for one.  I gave you two.   :)  Sure it's not the norm.  Neither is a 6' QB (Brees).  That doesn't mean a player has to be taller or heavier to be successful. 

I wasn't talking about just building muscle in the upper body. I meant everywhere. Building your quadricep muscles can help prevent knee injuries, such as an ACL or LCL tear. In fact, most stubby legged running backs over the years have been the ones fortunate to avoid knee injuries. Ever hear about Barry Sanders hurting his knees?

I know we're talking about two different positions but form quad weight training does help prevent knee injuries. RG3 is only 22. His added bulk will be noticeable in a few years.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 10, 2013, 06:31:29 PM
I wasn't talking about just building muscle in the upper body. I meant everywhere. Building your quadricep muscles can help prevent knee injuries, such as an ACL or LCL tear. In fact, most stubby legged running backs over the years have been the ones fortunate to avoid knee injuries. Ever hear about Barry Sanders hurting his knees?

I know we're talking about two different positions but form quad weight training does help prevent knee injuries. RG3 is only 22. His added bulk will be noticeable in a few years.

I agree with part of this.  I never had a knee injury, until I started playing softball.   :-[ I attribute that partly to squats.  I'll be doing them till I die. 

That said, bulk doesn't necessarily equal strength.  He'll have to strengthen his quads, hams, and calves.  Doing so won't absolutely add weight.  Plus as a sprinter his wheels are probably already pretty strong.
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: blinky on January 10, 2013, 10:34:26 PM
Wilson................. ROY
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on February 05, 2013, 10:52:57 AM
Robert Griffin III is NFL rookie of the year, says his knee rehab is ahead of schedule
By Rick Maese, Feb 03, 2013

The Washington Post NEW ORLEANS — Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III won the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year award on Saturday night, tying a bow on a memorable season while also casting some optimism on the next one.

Speaking for the first time since undergoing extensive knee surgery nearly four weeks ago, Griffin said his rehabilitation is already ahead of schedule and he has “no doubt” he’ll be ready to play next season.

Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III is attending the NFL Honors in New Orleans on the eve of the Super Bowl, and said his injured knee is “feeling good.”

“My goal is Week 1,” he said. “That’s all I’m really worried about.”

. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/robert-griffin-iii-is-nfl-rookie-of-the-year-says-his-knee-rehab-is-ahead-of-schedule/2013/02/02/f4ff3c58-6d93-11e2-8740-9b58f43c191a_story.html
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on January 07, 2014, 02:37:50 PM
I'd give the edge to Luck after two seasons.  RGIII had better the rookie season.  Luck has been better in year two, plus has a playoff win.

Here are some stats:

RGIII
532 for 849, 6403 yards, 62.7%, 36 TDs 17 INTs, 1304 yards rushing, 7 TDs

Luck
682 for 1197, 8196 yards, 57%, 46 TDs, 27 INTs, 632 yards rushing, 9 TDs

 
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: The Ugly on January 10, 2014, 02:21:28 PM
Has Luck always started playing after halftime, or is this something more recent?
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Oggie Oglethorpe on January 12, 2014, 09:29:01 AM
Luck >>>>> RGinjured
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on September 01, 2015, 10:03:59 AM
Well I guess the pro debate isn't much of a debate.  I feel sorry for the kid.  Hope he lands in the right spot.


TUE SEP. 1, 2015
No More Hope

In a span of 32 months, Robert Griffin III went from rookie of the year to being demoted. As Washington mulls severing ties with RG3, here’s a look back at where it all went wrong and which team he could play for next

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/09/01/robert-griffin-rg3-washington-nfl
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: CalvinH on September 01, 2015, 11:29:13 AM
Good bump ;D
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Irongrip400 on September 01, 2015, 06:47:22 PM
Well I guess the pro debate isn't much of a debate.  I feel sorry for the kid.  Hope he lands in the right spot.


TUE SEP. 1, 2015
No More Hope

In a span of 32 months, Robert Griffin III went from rookie of the year to being demoted. As Washington mulls severing ties with RG3, here’s a look back at where it all went wrong and which team he could play for next

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/09/01/robert-griffin-rg3-washington-nfl

Brutal
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on February 23, 2016, 01:42:29 PM
Robert Griffin III won't be with Redskins next season, Bruce Allen says
John Keim
ESPN Staff Writer

Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen finally said publicly what has been a poorly kept secret for some time: Quarterback Robert Griffin III will play elsewhere next season. And, Allen said, he'll have his choice of teams to further his NFL career.

It's not surprising that the Redskins would be moving on from Griffin, but it is the first time a team official has said he won't be playing for Washington next season. Allen told the Dan Sileo Show on The Mighty 1090 in San Diego that Griffin would not be on the roster next season. Last month, general manager Scot McCloughan left open the remote possibility that Griffin could return, though even then team officials privately said the relationship was over.

"I see Robert getting an opportunity with another team," Allen said. "We've heard from some teams that are interested. I think he's going to have a choice of a couple teams that will let him excel in the future."

Robert Griffin III won't be back with the Redskins in 2016, but team president Bruce Allen believes that the QB will land elsewhere. "I think he's going to have a choice of a couple teams that will let him excel in the future," Allen said. AP Photo/Greg Trott

The Redskins have been able to release Griffin since Feb. 8, the day after the Super Bowl. They can release him any time until 4 p.m. March 9, when the new league year begins. If Griffin were still on the roster at that point, his 2016 option would kick in and he would count $16.155 million against the salary cap.

Washington has held on to Griffin, hoping that another team would trade a low-round pick for him. For that to happen, Griffin would have to agree to redo his option before the start of the league year. The Redskins could not complete any deal until the start of the league year.

One source considered any trade a longshot, but the Redskins are holding on to him for now, just in case.

Griffin, the 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, did not take one snap last season. He was only active for one game, serving as the No. 3 quarterback after losing his starting job to Kirk Cousins.

"From the very beginning, Robert has handled himself like a professional," Allen said. "When we drafted him all the way through, he's been a good teammate and a good guy. I know some people on the outside always like to be critical, but his teammates like him, his coaches like him and he does have some special talents and we wish him well."

The Redskins are trying to work out a long-term deal with Cousins, but the sides have reached an impasse. Washington can always use the franchise tag to keep Cousins around for at least another year; the deadline for using the tag is March 1.

"The good thing is, Kirk said he wants to be a Redskin and we want him to be a Redskin," Allen said. "So these things usually work themselves out about this time or in the next few weeks. So we're pretty confident of that."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14831486/robert-griffin-iii-washington-redskins-next-season-bruce-allen-says
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 07, 2016, 10:26:34 AM
Redskins inform Robert Griffin III of release
By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The NFL Editor
Published: March 7, 2016

There was a time not so long ago when Robert Griffin III was considered the brightest young star in football. Now his departure from the Washington Redskins feels like little more than paperwork.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Griffin was informed he will be released Monday, according to a team source. The only surprise regarding the news was that it took so long for the Redskins to finalize, but they wanted to make sure that starter Kirk Cousins was under contract for 2016 before making anything official. Cousins signed his franchise tag tender last week. ESPN first reported the Griffin news.

Griffin didn't play a single snap last season for the Redskins. In theory, this was to ensure their quarterback's health in an effort to maintain his trade value. In reality, Griffin played like the third-best quarterback on the team the last two seasons behind Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy. He was due $16.1 million in 2016 as part of the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. RGIII goes down as a new CBA footnote, the first player to be released after having his fifth-year option picked up.

The start of Griffin's career was anything but a footnote. A standout rookie campaign in 2012 made RGIII a superstar after being drafted No. 2 overall, culminating in a Redskins playoff berth and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors over Andrew Luck. His career was never the same, however, after tearing his ACL and MCL in the Redskins' playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Griffin wound up getting benched under two coaches: Mike Shanahan and Jay Gruden. Griffin was named the team's starter last offseason by Gruden, but never got his job back after suffering a preseason loss to the Lions last August 20. Griffin was one of the least effective starters in the league in 2014, with four touchdowns and six picks in seven starts. He did not appear comfortable in Gruden's offense and didn't use his mobility as a weapon nearly as much as he did as a rookie.

Griffin will have a market as a free agent, but it should only be as a backup for now. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported last week the Chiefs, Broncos and Cowboys each would be interested in the 26-year-old quarterback once he hits the open market. Playing behind an established starter where Griffin's big name is less of a story could be his best route.

Then again, we know that Griffin will be a big story wherever he goes. Once one of the faces of the league, Griffin now will be battling just to prove he belongs in it.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000641782/article/redskins-inform-robert-griffin-iii-of-release?campaign=fb-nf-sf22094337-sf22094337
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 08, 2016, 01:33:38 PM
Ex-Redskins TE Chris Cooley: many players ‘did not like’ RG3
by SI Wire
Posted: Tue Mar. 8, 2016
 
Former Redskins tight end Chris Cooley says Robert Griffin III was not the most popular teammate during his time with the team.

Cooley, who spent his entire career (2004–’12) as a member of the team, spoke on ESPN 980 radio on Monday and spoke with candor on the recently-released Griffin’s relationships with teammates, including fellow quarterback Kirk Cousins.

“There was never a friendship relationship,” Cooley said of Griffin and Cousins, according to The Washington Post. “From the moment Kirk was drafted, I think Robert had animosity towards him. A lot of people in this area hated that fourth-round pick; I don’t think anyone hated it as much as RG3 hated it.”

Cooley added that Cousins and Griffin never hung out, and that veteran Rex Grossman, at one point the third-string quarterback, noticed how bad the situation was getting.

Cooley also said many other teammates disliked Griffin, including the offensive linemen.

“The offensive line did not like Robert Griffin,” Cooley said. “A lot of the receivers did not like Robert Griffin. The offensive line had a problem with Robert, because they were considered for a year and a half or two years a terrible offensive line that couldn’t protect a quarterback. A lot of that isn’t true. A lot of that was Robert. A lot of the sacks were put on Robert. Want to believe it or not, they were, okay? Football-wise, they were: it was Robert.”
 
He added that Griffin never took responsibility for his own mistakes with regard to being sacked, and that receivers were frustrated by not getting the ball.

“Robert did have friends, of course he had friends, but there were a lot of guys on this team that said it doesn’t benefit me—as a player, as an individual—and we don’t know if it benefits the team with him under center at this point,” Cooley said.
 
http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/03/08/robert-griffin-iii-washington-redskins-chris-cooley-teammates-dislike?xid=si_social
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 24, 2016, 11:11:12 AM
I would say Cleveland is where NFL careers go to die, but his career is already on life support.  Might be good to go someplace with low expectations?

Browns sign Robert Griffin III
The Cleveland Browns have signed former Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.
BY SI WIRE
Posted: Thu Mar. 24, 2016

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

The Cleveland Browns have signed quarterback Robert Griffin III, the team announced Thursday.

Griffin’s contract is for two years and $15 million, and can be worth up to $22 million including incentives, reports USA Today’s Tom Pelissero.

“I’m just excited to come in and compete,” Griffin said of joining the Browns. “Nothing’s ever been given to me in my life, so I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team. I feel like that’s all I’m really focused on. I cherish the opportunity to get another chance to play this beautiful game.”

• A timeline of Robert Griffin III’s career

Griffin became a free agent earlier this month when he was released by the Redskins. Washington drafted Griffin with the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft.

Griffin did not play all of last season after losing his starting job to Kirk Cousins, who led the Redskins to the playoffs. Griffin, who won the Heisman Trophy with Baylor in 2011, has struggled to find the form of his rookie season, when he posted a 102.4 passer rating in 15 games, throwing 20 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Injuries have since slowed Griffin, who played in only 22 games combined in 2013 and 2014.

The Browns are searching for stability at the quarterback position after switching between Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown last season. Manziel was waived earlier this month.

In his 37 career games, Griffin has competed 63.9% of his passes for 8,097 yards, 40 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He has also run for 1,480 yards and eight scores.

http://www.si.com/nfl/2016/03/24/cleveland-browns-sign-robert-griffin-iii?xid=si_social
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on June 29, 2016, 05:39:00 PM
Andrew Luck guaranteed record $87 million in long-term extension
Mike Wells
ESPN Staff Writer

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay stuck to his word and secured franchise quarterback Andrew Luck's long-term future with the organization before the start of the 2016 season.

The Colts announced Wednesday that Luck has signed an extension through the 2021 season that will make him the highest-paid player in the NFL, based on guaranteed salary.

Irsay announced the massive terms in a tweet:

The NFL's previous biggest contract was the five-year, $110 million deal the Green Bay Packers gave quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2013. Last summer, the Seattle Seahawks gave quarterback Russell Wilson a four-year, $87.6 million extension that included $60 million in guaranteed money.

Sources told ESPN that Luck is guaranteed $87 million with this extension. The previous most-guaranteed money for any NFL player was $65 million for both Eli Manning of the New York Giants and Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers.

"I am thrilled and excited to continue with this great organization," Luck said in a statement. "I am thankful to the Irsay family and Mr. Irsay for providing me with this great opportunity and the trust that they've shown in me. I can't wait for this season to start."

The No. 1 pick in 2012 out of Stanford, Luck took the NFL by storm the moment he stepped onto the field. He made the franchise's transition from Peyton Manning a smooth one by leading the Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, including the AFC Championship Game in 2014 and back-to-back AFC South titles.

What the Colts proved by giving Andrew Luck the largest deal in NFL history was that they believe what happened in 2015, his worst season, was a fluke.

Why Andrew Luck's mega deal is a letdown for future QBs

Luck signed a contract extension making him the NFL's highest-paid player, but he could have -- and should have -- gotten more money. Quarterbacks looking for big deals will feel the effects.

Colts banking on Luck putting 2015 behind him

Can Andrew Luck turn things around from an uncharacteristic down year in 2015? A look at areas where he struggled last year.

Luck has the fourth-most passing yards (14,838) by any quarterback in his first four seasons in NFL history. He also is the fourth quarterback with at least 100 touchdown passes through four years, including an NFL-leading 40 in 2014.

But Luck isn't immune to struggles.

The 26-year-old is coming off the worst season of his four-year NFL career, completing just 55.3 percent of his pass attempts and committing 13 turnovers in 2015. He also showed he's not invincible. He missed two games early in the year due to a rib injury, and then he missed the final seven when he suffered a lacerated kidney early in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos in Week 9. He also dealt with shoulder and abdominal injuries.

For months, Irsay had said he hoped and expected this agreement would be done around the Fourth of July holiday, if not before training camp. His goal now has been achieved.

"The organization is excited about getting this deal done and getting it done before the 4th of July," Irsay said. "It's a big number. It was a deal that was fair deal for both sides taking into account being [salary] cap friendly, being reasonable in the last year in 2021."

Luck was scheduled to make $16.155 million this season, the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

The Colts report to training camp July 26 at Anderson (Indiana) University.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/16619414/andrew-luck-signs-extension-indianapolis-colts
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on September 12, 2016, 04:41:18 PM
Robert Griffin III put on injured reserve with shoulder injury
Pat McManamon
ESPN Staff Writer

BEREA, Ohio -- Robert Griffin III has a fractured bone in his left shoulder and will miss at least the next eight games for the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Monday.

Griffin was placed on injured reserve; if he is designated as the team's player to return, he could return to practice in six weeks, but he must miss a minimum of eight games. Browns coach Hue Jackson was asked if Griffin is done for the season.

"No, I think he'll be designated for IR," Jackson said. "We'll get an opportunity to see where he is four weeks from now and go from there."

Though surgery is not immediately required on the fractured coracoid bone, the team said Griffin's shoulder will not be re-evaluated for three to four weeks. The earliest he could return would be Nov. 10 at Baltimore.

Jackson said the team is hopeful surgery will not be needed at all.

"But I don't think we'll know until we get an opportunity to evaluate him again," Jackson said.


Robert Griffin III suffered a shoulder injury against the Eagles on Sunday. Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports

Griffin posted his feelings on Twitter on Monday afternoon:

Griffin hurt his left shoulder when he was tackled at the end of a run with 3 minutes, 41 seconds left and the Browns down 22-10 Sunday against the Eagles. Griffin scrambled from his end zone and took an angle toward the sidelines. Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills drove into Browns tight end Gary Barnidge, then bounced off Barnidge and wound up at the sideline right where Griffin was heading out of bounds.

Griffin was criticized during his tenure with the Washington Redskins for not protecting himself, and Jackson had demanded he slide or go out of bounds in Cleveland. Jackson said Griffin was trying to go out of bounds on this particular play but the defender bounced off a block and wound up where Griffin was running.

McManamon: RG III's past follows him to Cleveland, and nobody should be surprised

The shoulder injury that will sideline Robert Griffin III is unfortunate. But it wasn't unpredictable. Nor should it be surprising, Pat McManamon writes.

Bell: If RG III coracoid fracture can heal without surgery, it's ideal

Stephania Bell said it's too soon to determine the impact of RG III's injury, but if it can heal on its own without surgery, that's ideal.

Robert Griffin III is running out of chances

Robert Griffin III just has not been able to stay on the field, and it's time to face the reality that his days as a starter may be coming to an end.

"It wasn't as if he was trying to take on a defender during a scramble or anything like that," Jackson said. "It was just very unfortunate. These things happen in football, and we'll move forward."

Griffin said Sunday he did not see Mills and that he was trying to protect himself. Jackson said Mills was out of bounds on the tackle, but it seemed when he and Griffin first made contact that Mills was right on the edge of the sideline.

"I think [Griffin] was so close to the sideline that you would think you could run out and be OK," Jackson said. "I don't think he saw the guy at all until the very last second."

The hit was significant, and Griffin was checked on the sideline. At one point, trainers took Griffin's helmet away, but he convinced the medical staff he could return. He went back for the final three plays of the game, handing the ball off three times.

Griffin otherwise struggled in the opener, completing 12-of-26 for 190 yards with 0 touchdowns and 1 interception (on a tipped pass). The Browns had three drops and one bobbled catch, but 102 of Griffin's yards came on two deep passes. On other throws, he was 10-for-24 for 88 yards.

Griffin's injury puts Josh McCown back on the field. The Browns kept the 37-year-old McCown for this insurance. Griffin has had injuries throughout his NFL career, and when he runs, the risk increases.

Jackson said the Browns initially will go with the guys they have -- McCown and rookie Cody Kessler, with rookie Kevin Hogan of Stanford on the practice squad. Jackson quipped that his experience in Oakland in 2011, when he lost Jason Campbell taught him not to make a trade. That was the season the Raiders gave up first- and second-round picks for Carson Palmer, a trade that did not out well for them.

Cleveland will face Baltimore in Week 2 on Sunday.

McCown faced the Ravens twice last season, throwing for 457 yards in an overtime win in Baltimore and then completing 21-for-28 before breaking his collarbone in the infamous "Kick Six" game in Cleveland.

"I think you have to have quarterbacks on your football team that can play," Jackson said. "That's why we keep Josh here because he knows how to play and he's been in this league and understands our offense and what we're trying to accomplish.

"It's unfortunate that this happened to Robert, but it is comforting to know that we have a guy that has played in NFL games and knows how to manage games and play the game and play within our system."

Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins feels bad for Griffin but knows the team must move on.

"Super unfortunate. It's hard to take that fight out of an athlete that made his name being that type of competitor," he said of Griffin. "Going forward we will have full confidence in what Josh brings to the table. He's really been one of the leaders on our football team and we don't anticipate a drop-off."

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17531162/cleveland-browns-qb-robert-griffin-iii-injured-reserve-shoulder-injury
Title: Re: Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin
Post by: Dos Equis on March 10, 2017, 11:47:36 AM
Browns release injury-plagued Robert Griffin III after one season
Pat McManamon
ESPN Staff Writer

Robert Griffin III will be a free agent again, as the Cleveland Browns released the injury-plagued quarterback on Friday.

The Browns gave Griffin a chance to revive his career after he was released by the Washington Redskins following the 2015 season. Cleveland named him the Week 1 starter in 2016, and he struggled in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Late in that game, Griffin broke the coracoid process in his left collarbone, an injury that sidelined him for 11 games.

Though he played better in four games at the end of the season, he admitted his injury had not fully healed.

The Browns' move comes after they traded with the Houston Texans for quarterback Brock Osweiler on Thursday, though league sources have told ESPN that Cleveland is likely to trade or release Osweiler before the 2017 season.

Robert Griffin III played in five games for the Browns last season. He broke the coracoid bone in his left shoulder in the opener against the Eagles. Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports

In five games with the Browns, Griffin completed 87 of 147 passes for 886 yards with two touchdowns, three interceptions and a quarterback rating of 72.5. He led the Browns to their only win of the season, over the Chargers on Christmas Eve.

By releasing Griffin, the Browns will save $6,984,375 against the salary cap. They will have to count his prorated signing bonus of $1.75 million under the 2017 cap.

Griffin sent a thank-you tweet to Browns fans on Friday afternoon.

The move also means that the former second overall pick in the 2012 draft has been released by two teams. He spent four seasons in Washington but lost his job to Kirk Cousins and did not play a down in 2015.

Griffin guided the Redskins to the playoffs as a rookie but played with a knee injury and tore his ACL in the wild-card round. He was back for the start of the 2013 season but incurred a serious ankle injury.

He has thrown for 8,983 yards with 42 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in his career. However, he has had trouble staying healthy and at times has struggled from the pocket.

Cleveland has released Griffin and Josh McCown since the 2016 season ended. The only quarterbacks on the roster are Cody Kessler -- who led the team in passing as a rookie with 1,380 yards -- Kevin Hogan and Osweiler.

Griffin's release means the Browns will have a fifth Week 1 starting quarterback in five seasons.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18873606/robert-griffin-iii-released-cleveland-browns