Drafting Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III or signing a career backup quarterback to take over as a starter and lead an offense?
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock answered this question on a conference call Wednesday afternoon in his previewing the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine. The Scouting Combine, which Griffin will attend, starts next Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Mayock addressed the fact that career backups have minimal tape for other teams to break down and could give a better example of work with anywhere between eight and 14 starts against a wider variety of NFL defenses.
“On one side, there’s a Matt Hasselbeck who went on to become a very good quarterback and you could probably throw Brett Favre into that from way back,” Mayock said. “The other side of the coin is you’re bringing up one of the most gifted kids in the last several years in this draft in Robert Griffin. Is there some downside to Robert Griffin? Yes, there is. However, you probably have the opportunity to move up and get him if you want. For me, that’s a pretty exciting proposition to build your young franchise around maybe the most exciting young player in this year’s draft. There’s some positives and negatives, some risks involved on both sides.”
Griffin won the 2011 Heisman Trophy after completing 291 of 402 attempts (72.4 percent) for 4,293 yards and 37 touchdowns against six interceptions at Baylor University. For his career, Griffin completed 800 of 1,192 attempts for 10,366 yards with 78 touchdowns against 17 interceptions.
“I love everything about the kid,” Mayock said. “The question I have is he doesn’t throw with anticipation because he doesn’t have to. In that offense, there’s minimal footwork. He’s got some talented, gifted receivers and he’s got great touch and accuracy medium and deep. He’s got arm strength; he’s got athletic ability. He’s tough, he takes hits, but he doesn’t anticipate throws. He waits until they develop.”
Griffin ran for 699 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries this fall. He gained 2,257 yards and scored 33 touchdowns on 528 carries during his career at Baylor.
However, even with an ability to run, Griffin is willing to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball downfield.
“I didn’t expect to find that when I put the tape on,” Mayock said of Griffin’s pocket presence. “We all know he can run and he will run, but he initially looks to get the ball downfield and I like that. His eyes are downfield and he’s conscious of the fact that he can make plays with his eyes and his arm as opposed to his legs.”
IN THE GENES
Frank Minnifield combined with Hanford Dixon to make one of the most effective defensive back combinations in Browns history. Minnifield, a free agent signee in 1984, played with the club until 1992.
He finished his Pro Bowl run in Cleveland with 20 interceptions, including a career-best four takeaways in both 1987 and 1988.
Minnifield’s son, Chase is eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft after completing his college career at the University of Virginia. Chase Minnifield registered 134 total tackles, two sacks, 13 interceptions and played in 48 games at Virginia.
“I like Minnifield, has good bloodlines,” Mayock said. “He’s an athletic kid, a smart kid, plays well. I’ve got a second-round grade on him right now.”
SHOWING SPEED
Many of the players participating in the Combine elect to take part in some of the drills, but do not go through others. When it comes to quarterbacks, some decide on throwing only at their Pro Days, while others take part in the interviews with teams.
When asked about advice he would give to Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, Mayock cited the 2010 Combine as an example.
“I look at it like a former player; you get two shots at the apple if you run at the Combine,” Mayock said. “A few years ago, 
