Jay Gruden you are our only hope

[calia]

You can add Russell Wilson to that list too -- didn't start until his second year. It seems that in today's NFL, very few guys can come out as rookies and really perform at a high level -- Luck is a rare exception. But most either start slowly or sit for a year or more before taking the reins and executing. Obviously, Shanahan thought RGIII could be one of those rare exceptions, and for at least the second half of 2012, he appeared to be correct. But between the injury, being rushed back, and some regression, RGIII isn't close to what you'd like to see in your third year starter.

Can he get there? Maybe -- I don't think anyone really knows. He has incredible physical gifts, and I believe him to be a hard worker and smart. Those things suggest he can, but surely don't guarantee it -- the position is that hard. Having said all that, clearly the rest of this season will be designed to test that proposition, and by season's end, we'll have a better idea (and perhaps even a conclusive answer -- surely we will know if he isn't the guy).