“This is the best throwing athlete I’ve seen come out in a while”

That from Brian Billick on RGIII, who after yesterday's blockbuster deal, is expected to be drafted by my Washington Redskins: 

The Washington Redskins have pulled off a trade for the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, sending three first-round picks and a second-round selection to the St. Louis Rams in a bid to draft Heisman trophy- winning quarterback Robert Griffin III, two people with knowledge of the situation said late Friday.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, known for big splashes during his tenure, authorized the blockbuster move even as the team’s hopes of signing free agent superstar Peyton Manning were fading Friday. The Redskins will send their first-round (sixth overall) and second-round picks in this year’s draft, plus first-round picks in 2013 and 2014, for what is expected to be the selection of Baylor’s Griffin.

...

Griffin, however, may need time to adjust to the NFL game. He ran a college-style spread offense at Baylor, winning the Heisman Trophy — the top award in college football — after passing for 4,293 yards, 37 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also ran the 40 yard dash in 4.41 seconds at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine, speed that would make many wide receivers envious.

“This is the best throwing athlete I’ve seen come out in a while,” said former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, who now works for the NFL Network. “Far better than [Philadelphia Eagles quarterback] Michael Vick, in my opinion. Far better than [Carolina Panthers quarterback] Cam Newton.”

The Redskins had been in discussions with the Rams to acquire the No. 2 pick since the combine. The Rams, who already have third-year pro Sam Bradford at quarterback, sought to swap the pick for draft choices that would expedite their rebuilding process.

It was believed that the Rams would command a price similar to the one exacted by the San Diego Chargers in 2004, when they received two first-round picks, a third-round selection and a fifth-rounder from the New York Giants for Eli Manning, Peyton Manning’s younger brother.

But Washington gave up much more — an indication of team officials’ high opinion of Griffin, and of the pressure to turn the Redskins into winners. If Griffin is as good as advertised, he will ignite a struggling franchise and buy Shanahan more time.

“You’re not giving [those picks] away. You’re getting a quarterback who has star power,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Thursday when asked about the price of moving up to acquire the Rams’ pick and the chance to draft Griffin. “I don’t care about the spots you move up. It’s a quarterback-driven league. Griffin is red-hot right now. . . . Dan Snyder knows what [the Redskins] need, and they’ve got to get a quarterback. They beat the Giants twice, and they beat Green Bay a year ago. He knows the missing link in Washington is quarterback.”

Good or bad move?  Leave it in the comments.

Comments

[Tra Jor]

I HAVE BEEN pasting this EXACT very same statement ALL week wherever 'NAY-sayers' have been lurking:

The Redskin's offense is driven by the bootleg-passing game. Without that, the zone run-blocking doesn't work worth a crap. It would have been utterly idiotic to sign a quarterback as immobile as Manning and changing the offense to him better.

Considering that things only just started to fall into place last season, such a move would have rendered the past two seasons of installing and teaching the offense to the team A COMPLETE AND UTTER WASTE OF TIME!

Thank GOD he wont come here!!!

[Tra Jor]

NOW.......
Peyton becomes somewhat relevant to the Redskins.
IF Houston is that patential 'sleeper-bid' team and Peyton goes there...
Weeelllll!... That opens up the possibility that RG3 does not have to be immediately 'thrown to the fire', now doesn't it?

<(-;

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

First, Griffin is an exceptional athlete, seems to be a capable college quarterback who should make an excellent NFL QB. Foremost, he’s smart as a whip, has a great personality and will make an organization proud, on the field and off.

Now, do you give up FOUR draft picks, including THREE first rounders for that? Of course, if you’re desperate for a QB and most importantly, if you’re Daniel Snyder. The man can’t seem to give his money away fast enough to guys who had “star power”. Or rather, aging veterans free agents who never materialized and flat out never came near their performance/abilities during their “contract year”. Better known as sucker bets.

Quick, name a SB winning team of the last 10/15 years who built their team via free agency? Answer - none.

Let’s not forget WHY Washington is even in this situation, picking high with no quality QB. See above.

Will Griffin be a great QB worthy of the money and picks Wash. gave up for him? Probably. The main question will be whether the ‘Skins will be able to surround him with the other pieces to be a legitimate contender in an extremely tough division. They won’t be able to do it with the draft since the just gave up essentially the next two years to get Griffin. And their salary cap has to be among the highest in the league. (Just an educated guess, too lazy to look it up.)

Do they have the pieces in place now and the only thing they need is a QB? I don’t see that but please, I’m sincere, go ahead and make your case, I’ll listen.

But stop already with pointing to the games they somehow won against quality opponents. It’s called an anomaly. The Colts beat Houston last year. The Colts, My Colts, suck. Period. It happens, doesn’t prove squat.

Speaking of such, I’ll take Luck with the Colts, (drafting quality individuals) rebuilding in 3/4 years versus what Snyder and the ‘Skins (perpetually overpaying for aging, non performing vets) put on the field at that time. They’ll play each other in 2013, so we’ll see. At least a one game head to head match up of two complete opposite styled organizations drafting the #1 & 2 QB’s of the 2012 draft. I’m already predicting it’ll be on MNF.

[daisy]

Poor kid. The Redskins destroy quarterbacks. They haven't treated one decently since Joe Theisman got his leg broken.