Griffin or Manning?

With free agency and the draft approaching, the Redskins seem poised to finally address the quarterback position. The team has not had a franchise QB since Joe Theisman, a fact that helps explain the franchise's struggles over the past decade. The choice before them is how exactly to address this vital need. Should they pursue Robert Griffin III or Peyton Manning?

Robert Griffin III had an incredible season at Baylor completing 72.4% of his passes for 3,998 yards, 36 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. He managed to edge out Andrew Luck for the Heisman trophy and after an impressive combine there's a lot of hype surrounding him. Drafting a franchise QB goes a long way towards ensuring your team's future success. The only problem is that no one knows exactly how he will do in the NFL. A great college career and combine are great, but there is nothing, no stat or drill or physical attribute, that can guarantee future success in the NFL. So every draft pick comes with a certain amount of risk, but this is especially important in Griffin's case because of how much drafting him is going to cost.

Griffin suddenly looks a little too good and now just about everyone wants him. Getting him is not simply a matter of drafting him, but trading up in order to do so. St. Louis, who has the second pick, knows this and now it is bidding time. Reports say the Rams are looking for four total draft picks, including two first rounders (this year's and next year's). Since the Redskins have the sixth pick, they have more to give than say Miami (eighth pick) or Seattle (12th pick), but less than Cleveland who has both the fourth pick and the 22nd which they obtained from a trade with Atlanta last year. Cleveland could therefore offer them a higher number one than the Redskins and a second number one in this year's draft alone.

Who doesn't know about Peyton Manning? Two years ago no one could foresee any circumstance in which he would ever leave Indianapolis and now everyone assumes he has played his last game for the Colts. At 35 years old, 36 this month, he could potentially give the Redskins 3-4 years of production. He is a known commodity who has had consistent success in the NFL as opposed to the unknown potential of a rookie QB. There is a certain level of risk associate with Manning as well, however. A neck injury kept him out the entire 2011 season and no one knows how good he will be when he does return. Age is also a factor. Most believe that, at best, teams can only expect 3 years of solid production. There's no guarantee that he does not fall apart in his first season or re-aggravate his injury; there's no guarantee he can even play again since he has not played since the 2010 season; and there's no guarantee the Manning we get in DC is anywhere close to the Manning we saw in Indianapolis. Granted, I would take a Manning playing at 60% than a Rex Grossman or John Beck at 100%, but I digress. And, if you do choose Manning, you still have to find the QB of the future. Reports say the Redskins have interest in Texas A&M QB, Ryan Tannehill, and would likely select him at number six if they were unable to trade for Griffin, which is far too high for this second round talent. The Redskins would have no choice, however, since a lot of other teams have expressed interest in selecting him later in the first round.

So, who ya got? Who would you rather see here? What's troubling to me is the fact that I don't think the Redskins have the inside track on either player. I have to believe that if Cleveland wants Griffin, they can get him; they just have more to offer. Manning, on the other hand, can ultimately choose where he wants to go. The amount of money the Redskins are used to throwing around to lure players probably won't work in this case as he could take one look at that offensive line and say "no thanks." Even if he is able to return at 100%, he only has a few years left. The Redskins have to prove that they are ready to win now.

Ultimately, I think this team needs to do whatever it can to get Griffin. While there's no guarantee he will be successful, it hard to see how he could be a bust. His potential is off the charts. Would you rather take a risk on a QB that can give you 15-20 seasons or 1-3? Better to draft someone who can be the future of this team than another short-term rental. While the cost is a bit steep, especially for a team like the Redskins with numerous holes to fill, Griffin could potentially be the next Steve Young given his playing style and capabilities. Plus, if the Redskins do sign Manning, they will still end up using their first round pick on a QB. At that point, you might as well go all in. I just don't like the idea of relying on Manning who can pick and choose where to go. I don't know why he would choose to come here with this team in the shape it's in. Draft Griffin, sign some WRs and lineman through free agency, find a veteran QB to feed to the wolves for the first 8-16 games, then let Griffin take over the team. I certainly hope the Redskins can manage one of the two big names, otherwise it may be another frustrating year with still no end to this frustrating futility in sight.