Making the Argument

First matter of business, thank you to all of you who have been frequenting the site. For those of you waiting for the SMTW pieces, you will be rewarded tomorrow. For now however, I'd like to take a look at what turned out to be one the most intriguing Offensive Rookie of the Year races in recent memory.

The argument for Russell Wilson:

Wilson was scoffed at coming out of camp after being named the starter over Matt Flynn. Listed at 5-10, critics question whether he could be a successful passer in a league where the average offensive lineman is 6-3. Russell soon silenced these critics, leading his team to an 11-5 record and a road playoff win, as well as leading all rookies in TD passes. Wilson and the Seahawks struggled on the road however, and Wilson benefited from having the league's best total defense. Russell Wilson winning Offensive Rookie of the year would have told me that voters were basing their decision off of total success in a team sense. With that said, you would hear
no griping from me if Russell Wilson won the award.

The argument for Andrew Luck:

The consensus number one pick since the end of his junior year, Luck had an incredible year by all measures. Leading all rookies in pass attempts, completions and touchdowns, Luck was able to lead a team that had previously won two games, to an eleven win season and a playoff birth. Luck was able to do all this with a drastically worse defense than Wilson and Griffin. Luck did benefit from the 4th ranked rushing yards per game and threw eight more interceptions than Wilson, and thirteen more than Griffin. Had Luck won the award it would have shown that the voters were basing their decision on what that player means to their team; almost an MVP sort of mindset. With that, I would have no complaints if Andrew Luck was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The argument for Robert Griffin III:

Upon receiving the Heisman Trophy in his senior year at Baylor, Griffin quickly became the 1A to Andrew Luck's 1. Griffin quickly ascended to being a must watch, leading all rookie quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns, rushing yards, passer rating and interceptions. Another aspect of Griffin that one cannot ignore, is his changing of the mindset and football climate in the DC area. After two decades of mediocrity, I admit even I as an Eagles fan was moved when they played Hail to the Redskins at Fedex Field following their win over the Cowboys in week 17. Griffin also benefited from an above average rushing attack(though he was largely the focus of it
in the Option Read), as well as the league's best pass defense. 

Robert Griffin III being named the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year shows that the voters were looking largely at statistics as the basis of their vote. In a race that saw three rookie quarterbacks lead their teams to the playoffs, Griffin had one of the most efficient seasons as a passer by a rookie. Add this to his dazzling running ability, and you have one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NFL right now. As a fan of the game of football, and regardless of my being an Eagles fan, I hope that this man can stay healthy throughout his career. If so, I think we may witness one of the most spectacular careers in NFL history.