RGIII Dazzles In Redskins’ Debut

During his collegiate career, Robert Griffin III, or RGIII, lifted the Baylor Bears football program to unprecedented heights and became the school’s only Heisman trophy winner for his performance last year. Now RGIII, an NFL rookie, has set about the task of raising the NFL’s Washington Redskins to new heights, and while its too soon for any MVP chants, he debut was dazzling.

Playing opposite on of the NFL’s best in Saints QB Drew Brees, RGIII was spectacular. He threw for 320 yards with two touchdowns, and Washington held on for 40-32 victory in his first regular season game.

“I’ve won a high school state championship and a bowl game in college, but to play in the NFL, the pinnacle of it all, and win your first game against a Hall of Famer in Drew Brees, it’s at the top,” Griffin told the Associated Press. ”After the game, (Brees) told me he was proud of me. That’s big for him to say after he just lost the game.”

Griffin started hot, and stayed that way. He completed his first eight passes, the seventh of which was an 88-yard strike to Pierrre Garcon.

“I thought Robert did an unbelievable job to play the way he did in his first game,” Redskins coach Mike Shanahan told NOLA.com. “The poise he played with and some of the throws he made were great.”

RGIII ended the day 19 of 26 with zero interceptions and a passer rating of 139.9. He also rushed for 42 yards, showing off the speed that makes him a dual threat.

Washington selected RGIII with the second pick in this year’s NFL draft.