Back on October 7, 2012 in a game against the Atlanta Falcons, Robert Griffin III ran wide and figured to turn on the jets and score 6 for the Redskins. As he tried to turn the jets on, the wet surface didn't spark the after burners too well and Griffin ended up being leveled on the play. After that hit every blogger, newscaster, and sports enthusiast came out and said that Griffin is a running Quarterback and will not last longer than a few years in this league.
Micheal Vick is the name that spewed from everyone's mouth and all the comparisons kept rolling. Let us actually check the facts before we judge and call RG3 a "running Quarterback." Vick has always been known to be a running Quarterback, so lets take a look at his stats. Vick has played 10 years in this league, including this year, and he has averaged about 550 rushing yards a season. Let's take into account that his first season he played only 8 games, his third season was stopped short after 5 games and his season this year was cut short at 9 games. Stats like these, including the 3 seasons of 775 yards or more, prove that he is more of a running quarterback. In these 10 seasons as a quarterback, Vick has only ever exceeded the 60% mark for pass completion percentage in a season one time. This one single time was his second season in Philly as a hungry man looking to gain back the very little dignity he may have had. He only passed for 20 Td's in a season twice, his last full season in Atlanta and his first full season of starting in Philly. Only passed for 3,000 yards in a season twice, both times as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and also only surpassed the 100 point QB rating once. These numbers stick out a bit to me, especially since RG3 is being called a running quarterback.
Let's take Robert Griffin III's stats through 13 games this season, he has thrown for a shade over 2,900 yards, rushed for 748, thrown 18 touchdown passes, ran for 6 more, has a completion percentage of 66.4% and a QB rating of 104.2. While Griffin can run, as many of us have seen on ESPN or in person, he passes like an accomplished pocket passer. Eli Manning has 2 super bowl rings, and through 13 games this season, he wishes his stats were near as nice as Griffin's. Manning has thrown for 3,400 yards, 20 td's and 13 int's. Not to mention a completion percentage of only 60.6% and a rating of 86.4. This comes from a man who called himself an "elite quarterback" just last season. Manning has only 500 passing yards more than Griffin has, yet Griffin has attempted 111 less passes. Just using these passing numbers from Griffin, if you add the 111 passes onto his stat line, Griffin would have passed for almost 400 yards more than Manning. Am I the only one not following this Griffin is a running quarterback discussion?
Now to the reason that I actually started this rant. All I have seen on my news updates is RG3 could have severe knee injury and RG3 wont last long in this league playing this way. Face it, Griffin is a passing quarterback with speed. He has learned since his concussion that sliding and getting out of the way is important, but as he said before, when the game is on the line no one is going to stop him. That mentality has won over the fans and the teammates but has fueled the critics. For once I would like to turn on the TV and see someone talking about RG3 and not speak of injury possibilities and concerns, but how great he looks in the pocket.
The injury that Griffin sustained against the Ravens looked worse than it seems to be. It looked ugly on screen, however Griffin was able to return. I haven't seen one player return to a game even for one play with any sort of severe knee injury. Name one "running quarterback" that played on one leg for a handful of plays and make the throws that he made. I fully expected to see Paulsen and Royster carry Griffin down the field as the team continued to march.
From what I have heard, via Robert Griffin III's official page, "Your positive vibes and prayers worked people!!!!To God be the Glory!" Sounds to me like the knee is "good" and he may be ready to roll come Sunday in Cleveland. It needs to be remembered that the Griffin to Vick comparisons are inaccurate. Sure Griffin can and does run, but there are very few 22 year old quarterbacks with his arm. To go even a step further, I would rate his arm (accuracy and strength) at the very least in the top 10 in the NFL. There isn't a "running quarterback in NFL history to have that said about him, it is always "he won't last long." Let's just remember in 3,4,5 years from now when Griffin is in his prime and amazing us all, he still won't be a running quarterback and will prove all the critics wrong throughout his NFL career.
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