Robert Griffin III: What Redskins' Star QB Must Do in 2012 to Live Up to Hype

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has all the right tools to live up to the enormous hype and pressure on his shoulders in 2012. 

It's not a secret that RG3 is expected to become a savior for the Redskins, but if you needed more proof, look no further. According to NBCWashington.com:

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In honor of RGIII's home debut Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts, a large rendering of the rookie quarterback will engulf the Newseum's First Amendment wall Thursday, in partnership with Adidas (one of Griffin's many sponsors).

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And by large, they mean a 74-foot-tall, larger-than-life projection. 

It's a good thing Griffin III has a high level of self-confidence. Lesser men might wilt under the crushing pressure, but I'm confident he'll thrive.

Here are a few things the young Redskins signal-caller must do in 2012 to live up to the hype.

Limit Turnovers

Turnovers are quarterback killers. Not only do they hurt the team, but some quarterbacks start to second-guess themselves when they're in the middle of a bad streak. Confidence is crucial, and to this point, Griffin III isn't lacking in that department. 

If he starts throwing picks all over the field, his confidence could start to wane. 

That's the worst possible thing that could happen to a talented quarterback like RG3. He was really good about maintaining possession during his tenure at Baylor, throwing only 17 picks in his 1,192 career attempts, but NFL defenses are a bit trickier to handle. 

It's up to Mike and Kyle Shanahan to protect their young quarterback by pounding away at defenses with the running game. If they run the ball effectively and play solid defense, RG3 shouldn't have to win many games with his arm in the forth quarter.

That's the best strategy for this team to take, but it remains to be seen how they'll approach things during the regular season. 

Develop Amnesia

Griffin III is going to turn the ball over, just like every rookie quarterback has done in the history of the NFL. 

When he does, it's imperative that he forgets about the past immediately—aside from learning what he did wrong and correcting it—and focus on what's in front of him. This is the hallmark of all the great quarterbacks in the league, and RG3 will need to develop thick skin and follow suit.

Learning on the fly is the single most important thing for rookies to be able to do, and Griffin III will have plenty to learn in Year 1 of his tenure with the Redskins.

When in Doubt, Slide

There's no doubting Griffin III's innate abilities as a scrambling quarterback. He has abilities that remind me of a young Mike Vick. Teams will game-plan for it, but they'll still struggle to contain his speed and quickness.

That said, Griffin III will need to be wiser than Vick has been over the course of his years in the league. He's not a big guy, and one hit from a linebacker or safety screaming in at full speed could potentially wipe out his season—if not his career. 

RG3 needs to be mindful of his safety, first and foremost, or he could end up getting carted off the field. 

Have Fun

Besides having a cannon for an arm, excellent footwork, pin-point accuracy and elite speed and agility, RG3 also possesses a special talent for ad-libbing when plays break down. 

There are bound to be plays this season where everyone watching, including coaches and players, will collectively groan when he's about to do something we all think is going to end up being a disaster. Then, to everyone's surprise, it'll become a rousing success and cheers will follow. 

That's what makes him so special. 

RG3 is going to be an elite quarterback in the NFL, but there will certainly be some "teachable moments" along the way. He is uniquely talented, and if he can find a balance between my aforementioned keys and his creativity, he'll become one of the league's best quarterbacks in short order. 

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