3. Will The Second Year Quarterback Studs Fizzle?
Rookie quarterbacks Andrew Luck (Colts), Robert Griffin III (Redskins) and Russell Wilson (Seahawks) each led their respective teams to the playoffs in 2012, an NFL record. Luck broke several NFL and team rookie records on the way to doing so, while RGIII electrified fans with his mix of deep throws and electrifying runs before getting hurt and the size maligned Russell Wilson, a fourth round pick , was cool as veteran cucumber on his way to a much publicized upset of the Green Packers and a divisional playoff berth. All three put up fine numbers, but it was the trio's maturity and presence that surprised many pundits. Many knew that Andrew Luck, arguably the most pro ready QB to come out of college since Peyton Manning, was ready for the big leagues, but turning a 2-14 team, to a 11-5 record, including a last minute win over the Green Bay Packers, with a talent deprived roster shows how good Luck really was. RGIII led the Redskins to their first division title since 1999, including a winner takes all divisional game in the last week of the regular season against arch rival Dallas. Then the 'too short for the NFL' Wilson, a relatively unheralded, undersized 3rd round pick was named the surprise starter in camp and coolly led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record including wins over the Patriots, a 42-13 drubbing of the NFC Super Bowl representative 49ers and the controversial win over the Green Bay Packers. However, traditionally, young QBs have often suffered through the sophomore 'slump', as NFL defensive staffs have more film to study and adapt to the young guns. And while the alleged sophomore slump might be a bit of a myth when it comes to statistics (i.e Cam Newton and Andy Dalton had a solid statistical second years) , it's still a reality as it pertains to win/loss records and playoffs as defenses adjust. All three no doubt have bright NFL futures, (if Griffin can stay healthy), but it will interesting to see if any of the three can pull off the same sort of numbers and wins they did in their rookie years, especially RGIII and Russell Wilson who are more mobile, running QBs and who play in a less traditional offense (read option/pistol offenses) , where the QB can sustain a larger number of hits that can lead to injury s evidenced by RGIII's knee injury that might see him miss the entire preseason. To cement the magnifying glass on their second year campaign's there were no legitimate superstar QBs taken in the 2013 draft, ensuring the spotlight will remain on these three for their already pressure filled sophomore campaigns that will see defensive coordinators have had a whole off season to prepare for them and their systems...and speaking of which...