Robert Griffin III: 5 Key Things to Look for in His Preseason Debut

With an electrifying career at Baylor, Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy in unheralded fashion. Throwing for over 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns during his senior year, Griffin displayed his supreme quarterbacking ability.

Taking the Baylor program to new heights, Griffin now enters a new chapter in his life—the NFL. As the second pick in the NFL draft, Griffin is looking to give Washington fans hope in their franchise. Here are some key things to look for during Griffin's first time in live NFL action.

1. Anticipation

As a quarterback, Griffin has ability. Leaving Baylor in his senior year with a 72 percent completion percentage, he has shown that he has a live arm that is very accurate in the pocket. For any young quarterback entering the NFL, one of the things that needs to be developed early is pocket presence.

With the speed of the game only getting faster, Griffin will need to anticipate the blitz sooner. Griffin's comfort in the pocket will be determined by how well he can throw while under duress from athletes that are stronger and faster than at the collegiate level.

2. Elusiveness

At the NFL Combine, Robert Griffin III was clocked with a 4.38 (unofficial) 40-yard dash time and a 4.41 (official). With either 40 time, Griffin shows that he is a speedster, and that he will cause problems for defenders.

His ability to make plays with his feet is something fans can and should look forward to because of his athleticism. Having another dimension to his game with his elusiveness outside the pocket will only help the Redskins win more games.

3. Leadership

After becoming the starter almost automatically after being drafted by the Redskins, Griffin will have to show how much of a leader he is. Though he is only a rookie, veterans will count on him to command the huddle during crucial moments in the game.

Though he may not play a lot during the preseason, keep an eye on how his teammates respond to him and his actions.

4. Connection with Receivers

All summer long, Griffin has been working with his Redskins receivers. Management brought in Pierre Garcon this offseason to give Griffin yet another option in the offense. With the newly added Garcon, and already having Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Fred Davis, Griffin has numerous targets.

Never having less than a 59 percent completion percentage at Baylor, Griffin had incredible timing and displayed that he could throw his receivers open. His ability to do that at the next level will be important, as he will need to throw into tighter windows and play against more advanced coverage schemes.

5. Arm Strength

RGIII's arm will be tested. A cannon arm on a mobile quarterback could cause nightmarish problems for defenses. During his junior and senior year at Baylor, Griffin had long plays that went for 94 and 87 yards.

With another speedster lining up at receiver in the former Miami Hurricane, Santana Moss, the Redskins offense will have big-play potential. Maybe Coach Shanahan will let Griffin air it out a few times during their games.