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According to Mike Shanahan, the Redskins starters will play into the beginning of the 3^rd quarter before departing in the second to last preseason game of the year.   Presumably the Colts will do the same so the game is being marketed –justifiably, predictably, and very pathetically considering it’s preseason- as a duel between RGIII and Luck (see bottom photos).   I like that Griffin has put this in the proper perspective. All quarterback battles are somewhat silly considering the simple academic point that quarterbacks never directly compete against one another on the field.  “I will never truly get to face Andrew [Luck] because he doesn’t play defense,” Griffin said.   Exactly.  Perfect Answer.

It will be interesting to see how the Redskins use the Colts game to evaluate the trouble at running back.  While the picture may seem cloudy, CFA believes the Evan Royster will ultimately hold onto the starter’s job he did so well with at the end of 2011.  Royster ran for over 120 yards in the last two games of last year, and he posted the highest all time DVOA for any running back with at least 40 carries.   56 carries is small sample size, but I think he definitely showed enough to be considered the starter especially given the current discord at the position.

Helu’s a physical specimen, but Royster’s perfect for the zone-blocking scheme.  It really stands out on the coaches tape from last year (now available!!!!,) he ALWAYS -like every play- picks the right hole to run through and is incredibly slippery in and out of cuts while maintaining control.  He’s like the blue car in F-Zero with incredibly tight steering in addition to slightly better than acceptable breakaway speed.

The Luck-Griffin debate is a difficult one for me.  I could not be more excited about spending the next 15 years or so rooting for Robert Griffin III.  I believe Griffin’s the answer we’ve been looking for in this city, and he can lead us to multiple championships.  The guy could and should own this town and win the hearts and minds of a battered, broken fan base.  If I weren’t uneasy about creating a decade long roadblock to post work happy hours, I would get a dog and name him RGIII just because it would give me a constant excuse to hear his name being called.  By me.  Still fun.  But after watching nearly every Stanford game last year, I’m incredibly bullish on Luck’s career path, namely I’m pretty much ready to crown him the greatest of all time before he’s played a snap.  His floor seems to be Canton.  It’s a lot to put on a guy but everything Luck has shown us so far indicates the expectations are warranted.

That said – Screw ‘em.  RGIII is our guy and he’s got the talent and composure and leadership abilities to compete with Luck for glory for the next two decades.  It’s one of them there good problems.   We look forward to this game and any others these two future stars may play.

RGIII v Luck Hoopla:

Heavy wallet? Lighten it with this $35 piece of history:

And Finally for those keeping track at home…