NFL Combine 2012: Robert Griffin III's Combine Performance Proves Nothing

Robert Griffin III officially ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds on Monday, fastest among quarterbacks and tied for eighth overall.

Then again, we already knew Griffin was fast.

What has made Griffin a potential top-10 pick headed into the 2012 NFL combine has been his arm strength, accuracy and pocket presence. While being a dual-threat quarterback is an added advantage, everyone knows that you can't be a top quarterback in the NFL without excelling in the pocket, too.

Griffin will ultimately prove himself if he throws well at his upcoming pro day on March 21. That is where he can seriously separate himself and boost his draft stock even more.

In his junior season at Baylor, Griffin not only rushed for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns, he passed for over 4,200 yards and 37 touchdowns to six interceptions while completing over 72 percent of his throws.

There are some concerns about Griffin's three-quarters-to-sidearm release point, but he's shown in college that he can overcome that.

But some of Griffin's comments after his combine performance were a bit alarming.

Griffin said, via NFL.com:

"

"This is easy now...The stress is over. If you're out there stressing on your pro day, then you're not going to perform well, so I plan on having a little fun. Play a little music while we're out there throwing the football, have everybody tapping their toes and bobbing their head and just go out there and make the most of the experience."

"

By no means should Griffin feel as if things are easy now. In fact, the stress has just begun. There's no question that scouts are going to be eying his mechanics, footwork and release point when he throws at pro day.

Being loose can serve as an advantage, but Griffin can't afford to be too loose. He's going to probably be a top-10 pick regardless, but a solid pro day would go a long way in projecting him as almost a sure-fire prospect.

There have been plenty of quarterbacks who have run the 40-yard dash fast. Remember Reggie McNeal and Marcus Vick in 2006? McNeal set the quarterback record at 4.35 seconds and Vick wasn't far behind at 4.42 seconds.

McNeal was drafted in the sixth round as a receiver by the Cincinnati Bengals and now finds himself in the Canadian Football League. Vick went undrafted, eventually signed with the Miami Dolphins, then was out of the NFL after two seasons.

Obviously, Griffin is a better quarterback prospect than McNeal or Vick was, but what I'm saying is that his 40-yard dash time alone really doesn't mean much.

Griffin needs to be careful about taking his pro day too lightly.