Whitlock thinks RG3's speed is a curse

[Hammock Parties]

Excellent article.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/R...nalysis-022712

My professors at Ball State warned me that my good looks, perfectly sculpted body and high intellect might impede my career as a journalist. They feared my seemingly endless physical and intellectual gifts would prevent me from developing a singular focus.

I have similar fears when assessing Robert Griffin III’s NFL prospects. Abundant talent can be a curse.

The biggest news of the NFL Combine was RG3’s blazing 40-yard dash time. He covered 40 yards like a shutdown corner, clocking a 4.41. The instant-Twitter analysis of NFL experts was that Griffin’s show of speed increased the value of the Rams’ pick, the one right after the pick the Colts are expected to use on Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

In my opinion, Griffin’s speed doesn’t enhance his draft stock. It damages it.

I am not a Robert Griffin hater. I love RG3. In all likelihood, he will be my favorite NFL player next season. He could quickly become my favorite active athlete, ahead of Tiger Woods, Ray Lewis and Jeff George (has yet to file his retirement paperwork).

But I’m worried about Griffin. He’s blessed with too many tools. Oftentimes, the greatest athletes are physically limited, which strengthens their focus. Bill Russell could never match Wilt Chamberlain’s size and limitless athleticism. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson weren’t the greatest leapers or the quickest on their feet.

Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are relatively immobile. They play from the pocket because they have no choice. They mastered the art of playing from the pocket because they had no other choice.

NFL games are won most consistently by quarterbacks who play from the pocket. If a quarterback leaves the pocket, he’s going to get hit. If a quarterback gets hit regularly, he’s going to get hurt. If a franchise quarterback gets injured, his team has little chance of winning the Super Bowl.

NFL teams are looking for the next Manning or Brady. Or the next Eli Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger. A little mobility is good, especially if the quarterback moves in the pocket in an effort to throw downfield. Rodgers and Big Ben are terrific at moving to throw. Is that how Griffin will use his athleticism?

Or does Griffin have so much speed that he’ll channel Michael Vick?

Vick had too much talent early in his career. The game was too easy. The temptation to fix problems with his feet was too great for him to master QB play from the pocket. He’s just now attempting to play the game from the pocket. Even now, he gives in to his blazing speed and exits the pocket prematurely.

OK, we know RG3 is vastly different from the young Michael Vick. But it took Donovan McNabb a few years to commit to pocket play. Steve Young had to sit behind Joe Montana in San Francisco to learn to fully appreciate the pocket.

NFL fans are going to want to see Griffin run. When you’re faster than everyone on the field, it makes sense to run. Griffin is going to be fighting common sense and his natural instincts.

And what if he gets paired with the wrong head coach, a coach who is looking for a quick-fix rather than Griffin’s long-term success?

There is talk that the Redskins might want to move up in the draft to get RG3. Mike Shanahan is under pressure in Washington. He needs to win right away to ease the public pressure and prevent Daniel Snyder from firing him. Shanahan could play Griffin as a rookie and allow him to run because his legs might produce eight or nine victories quicker than his arm.

All coaches prefer to win now. It’s the only way to guarantee another season. Is there a proven, confident coach in a stable organization willing to properly support Griffin’s development?

Environment and fit are the keys to Griffin’s success. That’s why Luck is the better prospect. Luck is extremely gifted, but he won’t be tempted to outrun James Harrison or Terrell Suggs. The only way for Luck to consistently avoid big hits will be with quick reads and a quicker release. He’ll be forced to play QB the “right” way.

That is not to say Luck will be a better NFL quarterback than Griffin. My money is on Griffin being the second coming of Steve Young. But I’m just a fan. It won’t be my job to teach him to shy away from his God-given talent.

[the Talking Can]

How can anyone have actually watched RG3 play and say he's a running QB?

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

How can anyone have actually watched RG3 play and say he's a running QB?

Psst... they haven't watched him play.

[the Talking Can]

and it's hilarious that RG3 has now been added to the pile of "QBs not good enough for the Chiefs"...

said pile just happens to include every QB ever....

[the Talking Can]

and a simple tweak summarizes whitlock's article

He’ll be forced to play QB the “white” way.

i'm kidding...but just barely

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Being in a spread offense.

That's really another knock against him as well. That spread offense has produced lots of guys that don't transition well into pro style offenses.

Again, this board just wants to draft ANY QB......JUST BECAUSE.

This board doesn't want to draft RGIII because he can run, moron.

[RealSNR]

This board is crazy! They want to draft any QB just because!

Yeah, they want to draft just any QB. Except for any QB in this draft not named Andrew Luck or RGIII.

[boogblaster]

in truth, if you're a running QB .. defensive cords will put a target on you .. and you're asking to get injured ......

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by suds79

How many teams are running some sort of the spread right now though? It's a QB friendly system. That's why I think so many teams are operating so much out of shotgun.

Pats? Check.
Saints? Check.
Lions? Check.
GB? Maybe not as much but seems as though they operate out of the gun a lot.

My point is that I'm not sure I buy much anymore that the spread is vastly different from the NFL.

Don't forget that Peyton operated out of the shotgun an awful lot. But he sucks, so I guess it doesn't count....

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

RG3 is talented as Hell, but I have to say the spread offense concerns me big time.

Assume we adopt a spread offense, with the players that the Chiefs have on Offense, how would you defend it?

The spread plays really well to big receivers, fast running backs who can catch the ball, and a speedy QB that can scramble if he has to.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

Here you go, I'll do it for you........

Eli Manning

Aaron Rodgers

Drew Brees

Big Ben

Tom Brady

Brad Johnson

Trent Dilfer

Kurt Warner

John Elway

Brett Favre

Troy Aikman

Steve Young

Mark Rypien

On that list someone will try to make a case for Ben, but he never rushed for more than 204 yards in a season. He has escapability but Ben gets away from a pass rush and then throws the ball. He doesn't actually run down field much.

Elway didn't win one until he stopped running around and got a running game behind him.

Young is the only one that qualifies but he was throwing for 3000+ yards routinely. And well, he's in the hall of fame.

Point is, you probably aren't going to win a championship with a run around QB. A guy that is mobile that can get out of the pocket and throw downfield is one thing, a Michael Vick clone?

No thanks.

Aaron Rodger's rushing stats:

2008: 207 yards and 4 TDs
2009: 316 yards and 5 TDs
2010: 356 yards and 4 TDs
2011: 257 yards and 3 TDs

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Psst... they haven't watched him play.

Because it's theGuardian. He's a ****ing moron.

[CoMoChief]

(and Jeff George has yet to file his retirement paperwork).

lol jfc

[WV]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Nice job at abusing statistics to agree with your horribly flawed analysis.

You know how many yards Vick threw for in college? 3,279. Total. In two years.

Griffin threw for 4,293 last year alone. 3,501 the year before.

Tebow threw for 3,286 yards in his sophomore, Heisman winning season. He didn't eclipse 3,000 yards in any other of his 4 seasons at Florida.

Vick ran the ball 40% of the time, passing 60%.
Tebow ran the ball 39% of the time, passing 61% (in his 3yrs as a starter).
Griffin III ran the ball 28% of the time, passing 72% (over past 2 seasons).

Hell, Cam Newton was nearly 50/50. At Auburn he had 280 pass attempts and 264 rush attempts. He only threw for 4,000 yard with a 60% completion percentage in his rookie NFL season.

Now stop posting facts that do not support his argument!!!!!!!!

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

and a simple tweak summarizes whitlock's article




i'm kidding...but just barely

This is why you cant take Whitlock serious...

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by COchief

I read this in Mort's (the whiny Jewish guy) voice from Family Guy. Also, not sure how to say this without being offensive, but you kind of sound like a huge pussy.

It's okay, I'm not offended by the stupidity of others.

It's just a natural instinct that pretty much all living animals share. It's called survival.