Redskins vs. Saints: Week 1 Upset Proves Robert Griffin III Is for Real

In case you were wondering, that Robert Griffin III fella is sort of good.

Sunday marked the first career NFL game for the legend that is known as RGIII. It went pretty well.

Consider his numbers: 19-of-26 passing, 320 yards, two touchdowns (the first of which came via an 88-yard hookup with Pierre Garcon), zero interceptions, 42 rushing yards and one monumental upset of the New Orleans Saints.

That's one ginormous statement. 

Before the RGIII love-fest continues, however, let me get something out of the way: This performance is inevitably going to get overrated like it was a Tim Tebow comeback drive. 

First of all, lots of Griffin's passing yards came via YAC as the Redskins, for the most part, kept things conservative. Also, the Saints' defense—and secondary, in particular—is both not good and not deep. Even Colt McCoy probably could have racked up a touchdown or two against this team. OK, that's not true. 

But Griffin is going to get put on a pedestal as the best thing since sliced cheese.

Nevertheless, knowing that the hype train will now reach ridiculous speeds, I'm all in on the Redskins' rookie. It's impossible not to be. 

I'm not all in on him putting up stat lines like Sunday's every week, mind you, but I'm all in on him turning this team into a legitimate playoff contender in the crowded NFC East.

You heard me. 

Forget about all the accurate throws he made, forget about his scary combination of size and speed, forget about the misleading stats. The most encouraging part of Griffin leading Washington to a huge win over New Orleans was his composure.

This guy is full of all kinds of swag, but he was still a rookie in his first NFL game. On the road. Against the mighty Saints. Even Griffin has to get nervous in a situation like that. 

Or so I thought.

RGIII looked exactly how he looked during his time at Baylor. When he threw his touchdown pass to Garcon, he just laid on his back and gave one of his classic, unbridled, 100-percent pure celebrations. 

We all know about Griffin's gaudy skills, but his combination of confidence, cockiness and ability to simply relax and have fun on Sunday was arguably what impressed me most. It's what will make him, more importantly than anything else for this Washington Redskins squad, a leader.

It's what proves that Robert Griffin III is for real. 

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