For all the adulation Robert Griffin III has received from everyone in Washington since he was drafted second overall in April, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback might have received his biggest compliment to date on Wednesday.
New Orleans star Drew Brees, who set the NFL single-season record for yards passing last season, thinks it's only a matter of time before Griffin "takes the league by storm. I just hope he doesn't do it on Sunday" when the Saints host to the Redskins in the season opener in the raucous Superdome.
Brees said he can't imagine being a rookie starter like Griffin, but added that first-year quarterbacks are much more prepared today than they were when he reached the NFL in 2001.
"I'm excited about it," said Griffin, citing his natural ability, diligent preparation and his trust in his teammates as reasons why he's ready. "Everyone's working knowing that this game's gonna count. You try not to get too antsy."
Coach Mike Shanahan's advice to Griffin is "just go out and play and have fun," the ex-Baylor star said. "That's the approach I'm taking, rather than, 'OK. Now it's time to show what I got.'"
Playing in New Orleans also is significant for Griffin since his parents were both born and raised there. He'll have 30 to 50 family members on hand for his debut.
"Even though there'll be a lot of boos, I'll have some cheers," the Copperas Cove, Tex., native said with a wide smile.
Griffin is one of five NFL rookie quarterbacks who are expected to start on Sunday. His 31 preseason passes were easily the smallest total of a group that also includes Cleveland's Brandon Weeden (49), Seattle's Russell Wilson (63), Indianapolis' Andrew Luck (66) and Miami's Ryan Tannehill (78). But Griffin completed 20 of those passes, did not throw an interception and posted an excellent 103.3 passer rating.
"When you do play a quarterback that's young . you feel like he's your best option to win in the short term, but also in the long term," said Shanahan, who never started a rookie quarterback in his previous 18 openers as a head coach with the Raiders, Broncos and Redskins. "You want him to get the experience, you know what (his) top level of play is and you are hoping that (he gets) there very quickly."
Griffin's teammates think his speed will make his adjustment to the NFL easier.
"Robert's mobility probably takes a little pressure off us up front," right guard Chris Chester said. "Robert just has to play the way he's capable of and he'll be fine."
That's certainly the plan. The 22-year-old Griffin said he used to get too hyped before games when he was a sophomore at Baylor so he tried listening to more mellow music with a little Michael Jackson mixed in for spice.
"Everybody gets nervous . but I have to stay calm, make sure you walk in the huddle with confidence so the guys are confident with what you're running," Griffin said. "I know what I got. I know what we have. What I tell the guys is, 'Trust your preparation so that when you step on the field you know you can go out and do it.' You can stare at something all night and still got take the test the next morning and get it wrong. You just gotta it know or you don't."
NOTES: Two-time Pro Bowl OLB Brian Orakpo returned on Wednesday after being sidelined since injuring his left shoulder at Chicago. And Kory Lichtensteiger was back at left guard for the first time - other than the first two non-contact practices of training camp -- since he tore his right ACL in Week 6 last season. Backup nose tackle Chris Baker, who injured an ankle in the Aug. 29 preseason finale against Tampa Bay, was limited. ... Shanahan continues to play coy about his starting running back. Evan Royster, who's first on the depth chart ahead of fellow second-year man Roy Helu and rookie Alfred Morris, said he wouldn't be surprised if he didn't find out who's with the first team until Sunday. Royster is ready to go after leaving the Bucs' game with a neck injury.