NFL Draft Quick Hits - Robert Griffin III

By:  Bobby Shores

Yesterday I did a quick and informal run down of my thoughts on Andrew Luck, today my lucky (no pun intended) readers will get a quick hit on what I think of RG3.

I first became a big fan of RG3 early in the 2010 season when I saw a freakishly athletic quarterback who would be a Kordell Stewart "Slash" style QB in the NFL (Editor's Note: I think Stewart would have been successful if  he would have been given more of a chance to make his style of play work at the NFL level), at the time I imagined him being the guy that brings the spread offenses that we are seeing take over the NFL to the next level (That was because I didn't realize what Cam Newton would end up doing).

As we should all know, the highest level of football (NFL) mimics the lower levels, and as players are bred from middle school through college playing "spread style" offenses than it will eventually make its way into the pro level also, which it is now doing. That is why you are seeing very few traditional fullbacks, tight ends as an extra wide receiver rather than an extra tackle, 3-receiver sets more often than not and rushing yards/attempts dwindling. The only position that has not made the full transition to the spread is quarterback, but that is rapidly changing.

Gone are the days where traditional "pocket passers" are the preference of NFL coaches, now if you are a 6'4 statue in the pocket (Drew Bledsoe) you have a much less chance of making it then the previously unthinkable 6'1 quick quarterback. Teams are wanting QB's that can fire a ball 20 yards down the field into a sprinting players arms while on the run, and when they sprint right are just as likely to keep the ball and run for a first down as they are to launch it to one of 4 eligible receivers running a myriad of underneath crossing routes. Yes, many people thought that player would be Tim Tebow, unfortunately those are the people who know more about their church's choir formation than they do the Patriot's "12" formation.

So what skills does RG3 bring to the pro game that could revolutionize the quarterback position? He is the rare (1st ever?) quarterback that not only has Olympic sprinter speed but also a big arm that can throw into tight spaces. He can make people miss like Michael Vick, but teams will fear his ability to carve up a defense more than his break-away sprinter speed. His touch on deep balls is better than any other quarterback that I have seen in the last few years since I have seriously been scouting players.

To top it all off, he will instantly be the best franchise role-model that the Washington Redskins can have. Not only is he very well spoken and came from a military family, but he attended Baylor University where he graduated with a degree in Political Science and a 3.67 GPA in only three years. He shows resilience, determination, smarts and extremely high character and even if he wasn't a star football player I would love one of my daughters to marry a guy like him.

Really, I see ZERO downside to RG3, and openly touted him as the far superior quarterback to Luck since his game against TCU early this season, and check my Twitter if you don't believe me. While most people have a favorite between the two, I believe that they are both great quarterbacks with extremely high ceilings. The only thing I worry about is RG3's growth being stunted under the father-son Shanahan duo. Will they rein him in and make him follow their offense to a "T", or will they do what every coach should do and mold their offense around him, run stuff that plays to his strengths. Only time will tell, but regardless, Dan Snyder's FedEx field should start adding more seats instead of taking them away.

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Why Andy Dalton fits perfectly with the Titans

My top 5 QB's in the 2011 draft goes something like this:

1)  Ryan Mallett (And not because I am a Razorback homer, I am taking the "hog glasses" off)
2a)  Andy Dalton (For reasons to be explained further down)
2b) Christian Ponder (Another Article to explain)
3)  Colin Kaepnerick (As a project QB)
4)  All other project QB's (Newton, Gabbert, Locker, etc)

I have already explained what I see in Ryan Mallett and why I believe he is not only the most pro ready QB in the draft, but the best QB in the draft period.  I feel there is a tie at the next level of QB's, and none of them are named Cam Newton, Jake Locker, or Blaine Gabbert.  The reason I have Andy Dalton up there is not because he put up spectacular (but artificially inflated) numbers in college at TCU running out of a spread offense like some other QB's in the draft did, even though he did put up good numbers out of TCU's spread.  It is because in Dalton I see a smart, game managing QB.  Will he put up the huge numbers game in and game out that superstars such as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees put up?  No, but he could develop into that in 3-5 years possibly, but I do not think he should get drafted by a team where he will be expected to carry the load.  I think he needs to get drafted by a team with a Pittsburgh type philosophy (*cough* *cough* Titans in 2nd round), a team that relies on a strong defense and running game, a team that only needs the quarterback to be an extension of the coach on the field, manage the game, make smart plays, put the ball in the hands of the playmakers on offense.  In Pittsburgh Ben Roethlisberger won his first Super Bowl with a great defense and great run game that was able to overcome all his shortcomings as a quarterback (he has come a long ways since then).  They won that Super Bowl in spite of "Big Ben" not because of him.  Ben was brought along slowly in an a stable organization (which the Titans have been for the most part) where he learned to read defenses, make simple audibles, and adapt to the speed of the pro game where if he made a mistake his running game and defense were there to bail him out.  This is how I see Andy Dalton's career playing out.  I am not saying that he will be the next Ben Roethlisberger, because he won't be, they are two completely different QB's in size, arm strength, and ability.  Some will question Dalton because of his size (6'2) and along with that his 3/4's release and say that he will struggle behind NFL O-lines, and I say look at Romo or Brees, plus he is extremely good rolling out of the pocket and throwing on the run. Others say he is not accurate enough, just because he was able to throw into big windows does not mean he is not accurate.  I just think that Dalton needs to be put in the right situation which is Tennessee, here is what the Titans can offer....

Right now Tennessee is only a few pieces away from being playoff contenders, and maybe one more year before they could be legitimate title contenders.  They are almost certain to use their 1st round pick (#8 overall) on a playmaking defensive line player that will be able to step in and make an immediate difference (i.e. Nick Fairley, or 1 of the many other DE's/DT's).  Depending on the development of their other players on defense, I expect the majority of this draft to be used on the defensive side of the ball (save a some O-line depth and Dalton of course).  They need to get bigger and more durable on the D-line, try to get a playmaking LB and a replacement for Chris Hope at safety since he is unlikely to be back with the team. 

Most people look at the Titans offense and see a myriad of problems, I only see one, lack of a QB.  I think their offense is on the verge, but with all the problems on the field and in the locker room cause by Vince Young the rest of the offense was stuck in neutral.  I truly believe that VY, his lack of maturity, football smarts, well smarts in general is what doomed this team (and ultimately Jeff Fisher) from the get go.  I believe they have all the other weapons needed to make this a potential Top 10 offense, and most of all be balanced.  I think Kerry Collins should be brought back to help Andy Dalton (this is all hypothetical, and based on them doing what they should and listening to me and drafting Dalton at the top of the 2nd round), or a veteran leader that will help him develop.  We know they have a top 5 RB in Chris Johnson, who is both a threat running the ball as well as taking short passes out of the backfield.  They have a reliable and underrated backup in Javon Ringer, who will not wow you with any 1 skill, but is well suited to being a productive back.

They have the "playmaker" on the outside at WR in former 1st round draft pick Kenny Britt, who has shown flashes when he is given the opportunity, and as long as he will get his focus on the field and stay out of bad situations (and away from controversial people) off of it.  I believe last years 2nd round pick, Damian Williams, will benefit the most from having a smart accurate QB like Dalton.  Williams reminds me of a possession receiver, he will fight for the ball, excels in traffic, but not a flashy WR.  He will go across the middle and catch almost anything thrown at him.  They also have some deep threats at WR that can stretch the field and open up underneath routes.  At the Tight End position I believe this will be the year that Jared Cook breaks out, he has already been working out and trying to improve his blocking skills.  While blocking will need to be a piece of his game, I see him as the ultimate safety valve for a young QB such as Dalton.  Cook is an athletic freak who is a mismatch for anybody that attempts to cover him (linebacker, nickle back, safety, DE dropping into the flats), and he will be a threat to make a huge gain and even score every time he touches the ball.  So we know that Dalton will have plenty of weapons to utilize, and with his smarts he will utilize them well.

The final piece of the puzzle for the Titans is the offensive line.  The team has some issues at the interior line positions (guards & center specifically LG) and since their head coach is the former O-Line coach and since they brought in Bruce Matthews to be the new O-line coach, do not expect them to spend high draft picks or big money in free agency (if there is FA) in upgrading the line.  I still do not understand the teams reluctance in bringing back Kevin Mawae who still has/had a few good years left in him at center.  Not only was he the best candidate for center he also would have ensured that everybody else knew what to do.  Center is currently a question mark with Eugene Amano recovering from a season ending neck injury that required surgery, and I believe it would be best to move him back to left guard where him and Michael Roos(Left Tackle) were a formidable tandem (unlikely to happen).  Left Guard needs to be upgraded from incumbent Leroy Harris who I believe is better suited as a quality backup that can fill many positions on the line, in fact I always thought that as a smarter O-lineman and with his great use of angles and leverage that he would be better suited for center, but for some reason that a coach and not myself would know he is not.

With what appears to be a solid team already built, and mainly lacking a QB, I still feel that Andy Dalton would be a great fit here, now maybe someone will read this and rip my reasoning apart, or decide that "damn he is good" and want me working for their organization. 

Other teams that might be a good fit for Dalton: 
-Carolina Panthers - Strong run game, but to many holes for 1 guy to fill
-Miami Dolphins - Always a good running team even though both primary backs are scheduled for free agency, and they have a solid defense in place, but they are probably tired of throwing 2nd round picks at QB's and I do not blame them (Pat White, Chad Henne, John Beck all draft picks, and they traded 2nd round picks for Daunte Culpepper, Jay Fiedler and A.J. Feeley if my memory serves me correct)
-Minnesota Vikings - Probably best RB duo in the NFL with A. Peterson and Toby Gerhart, and a defense that is looking to get younger but still solid, they may be looking for an instant upgrade through trade.