Is the “Fantasy” over for Griffin III?
September 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) reacts after throwing a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Somewhere in the world, there is a lucky Fantasy Football owner that profited very well by making the bold choice to start Redskins rookie, Robert Griffin III, week 1 vs the New Orleans Saints. They didn’t care that Griffin’s first NFL game was in one of the loudest, most difficult stadiums to play in. They believed Griffin would be great from the first snap and didn’t hesitate to draft him as their starting man. For taking that risk, that owner had a top performing quarterback bolstering their starting lineup.
According to three of the most popular fantasy football websites: NFL.com, ESPN.go.com and Fleaflicker.com, Robert Griffin III didn’t finish any lower than third in points among all quarterbacks in week one.
ESPN
T-1. Matt Ryan- 29
T-1. Robert Griffin III- 29
3. Tony Romo- 23
4. Peyton Manning- 21
5. Mark Sanchez- 20
NFL.com
1. Matt Ryan- 36.47
2. Tony Romo- 32.43
3. Robert Griffin III- 31.87
4. Drew Brees- 30.3
5. Aaron Rodgers- 29.8
Fleaflicker.com
1. Matt Ryan- 38.46
2. Tony Romo- 31.48
3. Robert Griffin III- 31.00
4. Aaron Rodgers- 29.82
5. Drew Brees- 28.6
September 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) talks with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) following a win at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Redskins defeated the Saints 40-32. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
The stats for week 1 have been tallied and its undeniable that Griffin was in the elite class of quarterbacks, but I have a question… Was this post game exchange Brees saying you got me this time young buck but I’ll bounce back or Brees, the former MVP, saying,”Hey Griff…you got the juice now?’ According to the sports insiders that create week by week projections, Griffin III wont have the same level of success vs the Rams in week two.
ESPN.com has Griffin projected as the #13 overall quarterback vs St. Louis on the same list that has Vick ranked #5 vs Baltimore fresh off 4 interceptions vs Cleveland. Fantasy projections on NFL.com rank Griffin #9 on the same list that projects the previously struggled Matthew Stafford #1 vs the tough San Francisco defense and the rankings that make the most sense belong to Fleaflicker.com who also have Griffin ranked #9 overall, however, #1-5 is Ryan, Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Romo.
Is this simply just professional expertise at its best predicting performances before they happen? Is it people scared to believe that a rookie quarterback could perform at the same level that Cam Newton performed at for an entire season, the very next season? Who Dat honestly believe that Robert Griffin III has had his moment in the spotlight and now its time for him to be humbled and “welcomed to the NFL?”
I believe that the professionals are afraid to be wrong about what their gut is telling them to project about Griffin. I find it very hard to believe that anyone responsible for ranking players can take the quarterback that snapped the Saints 8-game home win streak at the Superdome and call that performance so fluke that they barely rank him top 15 the following week vs a far more mediocre team. What do you think Redskins Nation? Are these accurate projections or is Griffin going to have to do some more Griffining to earn respect from the world?
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