Ranking the rookie signal-callers debuts!

Since ranking the NFL’s five rookie quarterbacks seems to be all the rage following their respective Week 1 performances, we here at Eye On Sports figured we’d weight in with our own thoughts on each first year player’s respective Week 1 performance.

Let’s start at the very with everyone’s No. 1 pick, Washington’s electrifying Robert Griffin III.

RG III Washington Redskins

I keep telling NFL fans that I would have undeniably taken Griffin with the No. 1 overall draft pick, if for no other reason that the fact that this young man possesses a special blend of athleticism, hard-work, respect – and intelligence – that hasn’t been seen in the league since….well, since never – and that’s no knock against anyone else.

Not only did RG3 complete a blistering 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against New Orleans on Sunday, but he did it on the road in a hostile environment that got an unfathomable boost when it was announced the Saints’ bountygate suspensions were being lifted just prior to game time. Oh yeah, a star was definitely born in Washington’s  41-21 shocker over the Saints, whether you like it or not!

Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks

A lot of these Week 1 rookie quarterback ranking had Wilson third, but not me.Despite being ‘just’ six-feet tall, I really liked Russell Wilson coming out of college after seeing him throw 33 touchdown passes and just four picks while completing a staggering 72.8 percent of his passes for Wisconsin a year ago.

Wilson didn’t have any eye-popping stats in completing just of 34 for 153 yards with one interception and one touchdown in Seattle’s 20-16 loss to Arizona, but he showed some serious poise as he led the Seahawks to a near win by getting them inside the 10-yard line in the final minute. Call me crazy, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wilson really become a solid starter in the NFL for years to come. Besides, Saints’ superstar quarterback Drew Brees is just six-feet tall too and we all know how his career has worked out.

3. Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts

The Colts were handed a humbling 41-21 loss by Chicago and Luck looked like a rookie in throwing three picks. However, he did also manage to complete 23 of 45 passes for 309 yards with one TD and that’s no small feat against Lovie Smith’s perennially powerful defenses.

4. Ryan Tanehill

I actually think the lowly Dolphins may have a really decent player in Tannehill and he looked pretty darned solid – except for one abysmal stretch late in the second quarter.

Overall, Tannehill finished his NFL debut by going 20 of 36 for 219 yards with those three interceptions,  but let’s remember, he was going up against a defensive unit that ranked second in the league under Wade Phillips a year ago.

5. Brandon Weeden

Sure, Brandon Weeden completed a pitiful 12 of 35 passes, for 118 yards with four interceptions, but hey’ Eagles starter Michael Vick was almost as bad – and he’s the recipient of a $100 million dollar contract, so clearly Weeden has time to improve. Still, he didn’t look very good against Philly, though I remain convinced (at least, at this point) that Weeden could very well become one of the best signal-callers out of this bunch.