NEW ORLEANS – For decades, Sonny Jurgensen has seen quarterbacks come and go in the nation's capital — even more frequently than most politicians, including one failed Washington Redskins quarterback-turned-congressman.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was impressive in his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints.
There were the Gus Frerotte helmet-banging years; the caretaker seasons of aging lefty Mark Brunell; the grand experiment of Joe Gibbs-wunderkind Jason Campbell; and the debacle that was Donovan McNabb.
There was even the Redskins' first-round selection of a quarterback — the third overall pick of the 1994 draft. After some trial, and mostly error, Heath Shuler landed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jurgensen, the 78-year-old Hall of Famer and Redskins broadcaster, saw something Sunday he had never witnessed, the finest hour of a Redskins rookie quarterback in his NFL debut — "without question,'' he said.
"(Griffin) was outstanding,'' said Jurgensen, who played for the Redskins from 1964-74. "He is a tremendous athlete (with) great poise. He never was rattled. He threw the ball under pressure (and) he threw the ball accurately when he got rushed."
The rookie from Baylor looked like an instant game-changer with his big-league arm, sprinter's speed, composure and deft decision making. While he was far from perfect Sunday, the 22-year-old quarterback stuck his helmet into the lion's den of pro football — the decibel-busting Mercedes-Benz Superdome — and tamed one of the best teams in the league the last few years.
"It was definitely loud — you can feel it in your body. It's crazy," said Griffin, who had the additional pressure of playing before dozens of family members who live in the New Orleans metro area. "We came out and played big on a big stage."
Once, Griffin stumbled on a keeper. Another time he fumbled in the red zone. "But," he said, "I'm not going to be Debbie Downer. We won the game."
Griffin executed coach Mike Shanahan's game plan that utilized his quarterback's ability to execute the read-option where his fakery, and footwork, is brilliant. The rookie posted remarkable numbers, completing 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, plus a passer rating of 139.9.
Here is what is so remarkable about Griffin: The moment never seems too big for him.
"My mind was really clear going into his game," he said. "I left my phone back in Virginia — (but) not on purpose. So I was not distracted at all. I sat in my room, watched TV and had time to think about things. The one thing I don't do is try to stress about anything or go out and try to prove anything to anyone. You just go play, have fun. It's a game I've played for a long time."
Still, Shanahan wanted to get his young quarterback quickly into a groove so the Redskins' first half-dozen bubble-screen passes were at, or near, the line of scrimmage.
It appears that there isn't a pass Griffin can't throw. In the first quarter, he scrambled away from a Saints' defender and whipped the football across the field to the far sideline to tight end Fred Davis, turning a potential sack into a 26-yard gain.
"He has all the potential and tools in the world," said Redskins receiver Joshua Morgan.
Griffin's cannon-like arm is capable of producing huge chunks of real estate; his legs enable him to buy time until he finds an open receiver. There were a few times he could have panicked and tucked the football and fled, but he chose to pass instead.
Griffin showed courage, too. With a Saints' defender smack-dab in his grill in the first quarter, he stepped up in the pocket under a heavy blitz and spotted Pierre Garcon with a quick pass. The wide receiver transformed the play into an 88-yard touchdown, Griffin's first pro touchdown throw.
Too early to celebrate or get cocky, Griffin concluded.
"I made sure I stayed grounded," he said. "I didn't get happy throughout the game. I didn't smile until we won."
Jurgensen was a little concerned in the preseason because Shanahan had kept Griffin, and his new offense, under wraps. Griffin threw only 31 passes during those games, and it was virtually impossible to determine (from the outside) whether he was ready for this big moment.
After one game, Jurgy had seen enough of RGIII, a young man who carries himself with self-assurance. He is going to need that, and more, once the Redskins' schedule is re-routed through the brutal NFC East, beginning in October. By then, the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles will have plenty of digital tape on Griffin to dissect any potential flaws.
In any case, "He has a bright, bright future," Jurgensen said. "It's going to be fun for us."
By John David Mercer, US PRESSWIRE
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was impressive in his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints.
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was impressive in his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints.
There were the Gus Frerotte helmet-banging years; the caretaker seasons of aging lefty Mark Brunell; the grand experiment of Joe Gibbs-wunderkind Jason Campbell; and the debacle that was Donovan McNabb.
There was even the Redskins' first-round selection of a quarterback — the third overall pick of the 1994 draft. After some trial, and mostly error, Heath Shuler landed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- [h=3]BOX SCORE: Redskins 40, Saints 32[/h]
Jurgensen, the 78-year-old Hall of Famer and Redskins broadcaster, saw something Sunday he had never witnessed, the finest hour of a Redskins rookie quarterback in his NFL debut — "without question,'' he said.
"(Griffin) was outstanding,'' said Jurgensen, who played for the Redskins from 1964-74. "He is a tremendous athlete (with) great poise. He never was rattled. He threw the ball under pressure (and) he threw the ball accurately when he got rushed."
The rookie from Baylor looked like an instant game-changer with his big-league arm, sprinter's speed, composure and deft decision making. While he was far from perfect Sunday, the 22-year-old quarterback stuck his helmet into the lion's den of pro football — the decibel-busting Mercedes-Benz Superdome — and tamed one of the best teams in the league the last few years.
"It was definitely loud — you can feel it in your body. It's crazy," said Griffin, who had the additional pressure of playing before dozens of family members who live in the New Orleans metro area. "We came out and played big on a big stage."
Once, Griffin stumbled on a keeper. Another time he fumbled in the red zone. "But," he said, "I'm not going to be Debbie Downer. We won the game."
Griffin executed coach Mike Shanahan's game plan that utilized his quarterback's ability to execute the read-option where his fakery, and footwork, is brilliant. The rookie posted remarkable numbers, completing 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, plus a passer rating of 139.9.
Here is what is so remarkable about Griffin: The moment never seems too big for him.
"My mind was really clear going into his game," he said. "I left my phone back in Virginia — (but) not on purpose. So I was not distracted at all. I sat in my room, watched TV and had time to think about things. The one thing I don't do is try to stress about anything or go out and try to prove anything to anyone. You just go play, have fun. It's a game I've played for a long time."
Still, Shanahan wanted to get his young quarterback quickly into a groove so the Redskins' first half-dozen bubble-screen passes were at, or near, the line of scrimmage.
It appears that there isn't a pass Griffin can't throw. In the first quarter, he scrambled away from a Saints' defender and whipped the football across the field to the far sideline to tight end Fred Davis, turning a potential sack into a 26-yard gain.
"He has all the potential and tools in the world," said Redskins receiver Joshua Morgan.
Griffin's cannon-like arm is capable of producing huge chunks of real estate; his legs enable him to buy time until he finds an open receiver. There were a few times he could have panicked and tucked the football and fled, but he chose to pass instead.
Griffin showed courage, too. With a Saints' defender smack-dab in his grill in the first quarter, he stepped up in the pocket under a heavy blitz and spotted Pierre Garcon with a quick pass. The wide receiver transformed the play into an 88-yard touchdown, Griffin's first pro touchdown throw.
Too early to celebrate or get cocky, Griffin concluded.
"I made sure I stayed grounded," he said. "I didn't get happy throughout the game. I didn't smile until we won."
Jurgensen was a little concerned in the preseason because Shanahan had kept Griffin, and his new offense, under wraps. Griffin threw only 31 passes during those games, and it was virtually impossible to determine (from the outside) whether he was ready for this big moment.
After one game, Jurgy had seen enough of RGIII, a young man who carries himself with self-assurance. He is going to need that, and more, once the Redskins' schedule is re-routed through the brutal NFC East, beginning in October. By then, the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles will have plenty of digital tape on Griffin to dissect any potential flaws.
In any case, "He has a bright, bright future," Jurgensen said. "It's going to be fun for us."