Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III Primed to Make His Mark in the NFL

By Ben O’Rourke
NFL Contributor

Robert Griffin III enters his first NFL season on Sunday with the Washington Redskins. It is a rare instance, that two years in a row, a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback will try to stake his claim among the best in the game.

Cam Newton was the last Heisman winner to begin his career in the NFL, in 2011. Both players stack up in very similar ways coming off of their final years on the college front. Newton entered the league from Auburn and RG3 is entering from Baylor.

Statistics provide clear evidence as to why these two were Heisman winners in their final seasons. Newton performed with a passing game that averaged 10.2 yards per attempt in 2010, while RG3 came in slightly better in 2011 with 10.7 yards per attempt.

While Newton possesses the height advantage behind center, both proved to be a threat on the ground throughout their college careers. Though Newton was significantly better with a 5.6 yard average in 2010, opposed to RG3 at 3.9 yards per carry in 2011.

Auburn was fortunate enough to win the National Championship in 2010 behind their Heisman trophy winner, showing that the caliber of their squad was very high across the board. What may be more impressive however, is that RG3 was able to perform at such a high individual level with what he had in 2011.

The NFL is obviously a big step up from college football, and Newton was able to prove last year that he is a very big threat on the field. His stats during his rookie campaign were even impressive enough to gain him the No. 5 spot in top quarterbacks for fantasy drafts.

Last year, playing for the Panthers, Newton put up an impressive 4,051 passing yards, a 60 percent completion rate and 7.8 yards per attempt.

The Washington Redskins provide RG3 the tools to be successful on offense, as long as the timing with the offensive line and decision making of the signal caller are in line. Highlighted targets will be that of veteran wide receiver Santana Moss and five-year tight end Fred Davis. Both are able to cover the short and deep route threats in the passing game for RG3, which will showcase his 72.4 percent completion rate coming out of Baylor.

RG3 may or may not feel the pressure coming in behind another Heisman-winning quarterback to start his rookie season, but it is a high probability, based on the accuracy and mobility he possesses, that RG3 is thinking that there might be a new sheriff in town.

Follow Ben on Twitter: @ORourkeBen

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