Redskins Teammates Gush About Robert Griffin III After First OTA Practice

It didn't take long for the superlatives to start falling like the rain that provided the backdrop for No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III's first day of OTA practices with the team's veterans.

His receivers' comments on Griffin hit the same strong note—he's no ordinary rookie. Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports that Santana Moss said Griffin was "looking sharp" and not like a rookie. Moss also called Griffin's accuracy "pinpoint."

The Redskins' big free-agent addition, Pierre Garcon, said Griffin knew the plays and player positioning and threw on time with great arm strength, adding that Griffin has been "like a veteran."

It wasn't just the guys Griffin will throw to talking him up after Monday's practice. Veteran linebacker London Fletcher praised Griffin's maturity, leadership, humility and hard work, according to SI.com's Don Banks. Fletcher even brought up Griffin's "aura" that draws people to him. 

Banks noted that Griffin was taking all of his snaps under center and running a lot of rollouts, which is a staple of the Mike Shanahan offense. Both are a change from his shotgun spread offense at Baylor.

Banks wasn't as effusive about Griffin's performance, saying he wasn't a "picture of perfection," but noting that Griffin was "deadly accurate" on the run, comfortable and showing good command of the offense.

Redskins beat writer John Keim from The Examiner was more enthusiastic in his report. Keim seemed taken aback by the way the ball "jumps out of Robert Griffin III's hand." He also predicted that Griffin's speed to the perimeter and the velocity on his throws will "stress" defenses. 

Redskins fans, on the other hand, should be feeling less and less stress over their team's decision to give up three first-round picks and a second-rounder for Griffin.