RGIII, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson
Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III. They could be the first threesome of starting NFL rookie Quarterbacks to make the playoffs. The wait and weight are on you RGIII! With Luck and Wilson locking up their playoff births yesterday, all that needs to happen is for RGIII to lead the Redskins to a win vs their division foe, the Dallas Cowboys, next week. What makes each of these stories so appealing other than the rookie factor?
Andrew Luck was the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Not often does a team go from 2 wins, the first overall pick and the loss of a hall of fame quarterback (Peyton Manning) to 10 wins, clinching the playoffs by week 16, and immediately replacing one of the best of all time. That has been the story of the Indianapolis Colts over the past year. Throw in the fact that their head coach, Chuck Pagano, has been suffering from a life threatening illness, and will be returning next week…it’s a fairytale. Will it end with a Super Bowl victory? Stay tuned!
As an 18-year-old Russell Wilson passed up on a million dollar offer to play in the MLB. Instead, goes to North Carolina State as a football and baseball star. Gets drafted in the fourth round of the MLB draft, plays minor league. Decides it’s not for him. Feels instead it is better for him to go “back to school” (Billy Madison voice) in the freezing state of Wisconsin. Leads his team to a BIG 10 championship and a Rose Bowl, breaking Wisconsin quarterback records but is labeled too short to have an impact in the NFL. Enters Pete Carrol’s Seattle Seahawks, (4th round draft pick) with former Badger great, Darrell Bevell, as the offensive coordinator. Beats out big time free agent Matt Flynn and absolutely tears up NFL defenses in their west coast offense. Gets labeled by Chris Collinsworth to be the next Fran Tarkenton (for whatever thats worth). Not to mention he married a good-looking girl. It has been a great 12 months for Russell…
Perhaps the most electrifying of the three is RGIII. Also a multi-sport athlete (track star), RGIII has dazzled defensive coordinators across the league with his speed. This Heisman winning QB has also ran the west coast offense to near perfection. It helps to have Mike Shanahan on his side, this guy knows how to coach successful quarterbacks. Have you ever heard of the name John Elway!? RGIII is tough as nails, never have I seen a 400 meter hurdle champion take so many hard hits in a year and continue to get back up. Yes he missed a game, but I am predicting he will lead his team to a win verse The Godfather himself, Jerry Jones.
I like the uncommon. These three are uncommon, about to do an uncommon thing, so uncommon it would be a first.
Get ’em rookies!!
Greater Than > Athletes 