The Norman Transcript

National Sports

Discussion

January 6, 2013

Rookies lead ’Skins, Seahawks

By Joseph White Associated Press

WASHINGTON — How convenient. Those who can’t decide between Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson are literally getting a playoff.

RG3 or RW3? They’ve only had two of the best two rookie seasons for quarterbacks in NFL history, according to the numbers. Time to compare and contrast as much as possible Sunday as Griffin’s Washington Redskins host Wilson’s Seattle Seahawks in the NFC’s wild-card round.

“I don’t play against quarterbacks. It’s not my job to compare us,” Griffin told reporters this week. “You guys will do that. ... I hope you guys have fun.”

OK, Robert, we’ll take you up on that. Hey, Redskins Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, why is your guy better than theirs?

“I definitely would take his hair over Russell Wilson’s hair,” Williams said. “He’s taller. He has a couple of more endorsements than Russell does. That gives you grounds enough to take RG3 over Wilson. Way cooler TV commercials.”

Funny, but there might be some truth to that, at least when it comes to getting one’s due. Griffin has the dreadlocks. Wilson has the regular, clean-cut hairdo. Griffin is in your face with his Gatorade commercials and the ubiquitous Subway spots. Wilson did a more subtle bit for Levi’s.

Griffin won a Heisman Trophy, was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Wilson was a third-round pick who had to wrest the starting job from big-contract free agent Matt Flynn. Griffin’s jersey is the No. 1 seller across the NFL this season, while Wilson’s is a mere No. 19.

Griffin’s slogan is “No pressure, no diamonds.” Wilson’s is “Separation is in the preparation.” Unlike Griffin, Wilson hasn’t bothered to trademark it.

RG3’s nickname stands alone. Wilson might have been “HW4” had he been born earlier, but it’s his older brother who got the name Harrison Wilson IV.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
National Sports
  • Pacers edge Heat to tie up Eastern Conference finals

    MIAMI — David West’s right hand helped the Indiana Pacers grab home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference finals....

    May 25, 2013

  • Indy 500 could be better than 2012

    INDIANAPOLIS — They raced 1-2-3 in line, trading the lead a whopping 15 times over the final, frantic 75 laps. All three drivers had a last-lap plan in mind when they zipped past the white flag, and it was Takuma Sato who acted first with ...

    May 25, 2013

  • Zim wins eighth for Nats

    WASHINGTON — Jordan Zimmermann became the National League’s first eight-game winner, and the Washington Nationals followed a calamitous road trip with a winning start to a homestand, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 5-2 Friday night....

    May 25, 2013

  • Memphis ‘believes’

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The towels are showing up all around Memphis. They hang over neighborhood signs and even at a door to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The sentiment? Believe Memphis....

    May 25, 2013

  • Another gem for Tigers’ ace

    DETROIT — Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Minnesota’s Joe Mauer broke it up with a one-out single, and that was the only hit the Detroit right-hander allowed in the Tigers’ 6-0 victory over the Twins on Friday ...

    May 25, 2013

  • Pals share lead in Senior PGA

    ST. LOUIS — Longtime Kentucky pals Russ Cochran and Kenny Perry have shared a massive gallery the first two rounds of the Senior PGA Championship. Now, they also share the lead....

    May 25, 2013

  • Colonial on hold

    FORT WORTH, Texas — Matt Kuchar was hoping he would be able to finish his second round Friday night at Colonial. He ended up with the lead — and a very early wakeup call....

    May 25, 2013

  • Nadal could get Djokovic in French semifinals

    PARIS — Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal could face top-seeded Novak Djokovic in the French Open semifinals a year after they met to decide the title....

    May 25, 2013

  • Three U.S. men qualify in Paris

    PARIS — Three U.S. men have qualified for the French Open for the first time in more than 30 years....

    May 25, 2013

  • Bowie Young, Cavalleri tied in Bahamas

    PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Heather Bowie Young made five straight birdies while jumping from one side of the golf course to the other. Silvia Cavalleri was hitting the ball so well Friday she was sorry the Bahamas Classic was held on only ...

    May 25, 2013