One of the NFL’s biggest storylines this season has revolved
around a pair of rookie quarterbacks taken in the top two spots in
the 2012 draft. Which would be the better option? Could either of
them turn around flailing franchises?
The Indianapolis Colts were so committed to spending the number
one pick on Stanford’s Andrew Luck that they parted with future
Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, the man who practically built Lucas
Oil Field. The Washington Redskins trade up at great cost to snag
Baylor star Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick.
Neither team regretted their choice. Luck threw 23 touchdowns to
18 interceptions for 4,374 yards. He added 255 yards and five
rushing touchdowns with his feet. Griffin tossed 20 touchdowns
against just five picks, throwing for 3,200 yards and adding 815
yards and seven scores on the ground.
Luck’s interception total could have been lower and his
completion percentage (54 percent) higher. Griffin could have
waited in the pocket and thrown a little more. But the top-line
team numbers don’t lie. The Colts went from last place at 2-14 to
11-5 and a playoff appearance in just one season. The Redskins
improved from 5-11 to 10-6, winning the NFC East, making the
postseason for the first time in five years, and having their first
home playoff game in 13 years.
On wild-card weekend, both storybook seasons came to an end.
Luck fought hard, leading the offense on long drives that
accumulated 419 yards and 25 first downs. The Colts dominated the
Baltimore Ravens by a full 15 minutes in the time of
possession.
But Indy couldn’t punch the ball in the end zone, settling for
three field goals. They also had a pair of turnovers, including a
Luck interception, and an uncharacteristic Adam Vinatieri miss. The
Ravens made big plays and beat them by 24 to 9.
The Redskins’ game started promisingly enough. Griffin, though
clearly never 100 percent, and running back Alfred Morris initially
ran the ball down the Seattle Seahawks’ throats. Washington opened
by scoring touchdowns on their first two drives, with a Seattle
three-and-out sandwiched in between.
After that, the Redskins didn’t do much else on offense. Griffin
reinjured his knee, with his condition deteriorating until he was
totally ineffective. He took the hits until he couldn’t get up.
Coach Mike Shanahan inserted backup Kirk Cousins — who has a good
arm — too late. It wasn’t as bad the Minnesota Vikings when Joe
Webb playing in place of Christian Ponder forced them to rely on
Adrian Peterson alone, but it was bad enough.
The Redskins held on to their lead until the fourth quarter, but
fell to the one-two punch of rookie quarterback Russell Wilson and
running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch rushed for 132 yards and capped
off the night with a 27-yard touchdown run.
Now Wilson, who wasn’t in even supposed to be a starter this
season, is the last rookie quarterback standing the playoffs. The
5’11 Wisconsin graduate was drafted to compete with offseason
acquisition Matt Flynn, who had impressed as a backup in Green Bay,
and incumbent Tarvaris Jackson. Wilson unexpectedly won the job, as
Flynn became an expensive clipboard-holder and Jackson shuffled off
to Buffalo.
Going forward, the Redskins probably have more to worry about.
They need Griffin’s need to heal fully, especially if they wind up
trading Cousins to replenish depleted draft picks. As Michael Vick
demonstrated, even the most talented run-heavy quarterbacks in the
NFL are spotty and injury-prone. Can Griffin make the transition to
running to supplement the pass more, like Aaron Rodgers or Ben
Roethlisberger?
With Luck, the Colts need to bolster the offensive line to
protect him better. A main reason for Sunday’s loss was that the
pocket kept collapsing, making a win against a good defense too
tall an order for a first-year signal-caller. The defense could
also use improvement, as Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco picked apart
that secondary at times.
The Redskins’ offensive line has improved. But the pass blocking
could still use some work, if the team hopes to keep Griffin the
pocket more.
Football may be a young man’s game, but it is the era of these
two young men yet. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, both still better
than either Luck or Griffin, are getting ready to take the field
for the playoffs. Ray Lewis, the Baltimore linebacker who recently
announced this will be his last season, returned to lead his team
with nine tackles in the victory over the Colts.
Two of the worst teams in football a year ago are now headed in
the right direction. But neither of them has reached their
destination just yet.
