Emerson1
04-22-2009, 05:59 PM
Fast track for Griffin means football
10:21 PM Tue, Apr 21, 2009
Chuck Carlton
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/fast-track-for-griffin-means-football.html?npc
Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin faced a choice this spring.
He could defend his 400-meter hurdles title in the Big 12. Or he could concentrate on football and bulk up by about eight to 10 pounds.
The winner: football. Coach Art Briles said Tuesday that "at this point" Griffin won't be competing in track.
"That to me shows a lot of vision for Robert, a lot of focus and a lot of team togetherness," Briles said. "What he's doing is sacrificing an opportunity to defend his Big 12 title in the 400 hurdles for this football team and for the other players on this team. That's part of being a great leader."
Briles sees the extra size and strength making a difference next season, although Griffin broke more than his share of tackles en route to rushing for 843 yards and 13 touchdowns last season as an 18-year-old true freshman.
"He's much stronger physically," Briles said. "It's unquestioned in that capacity. I think without a doubt we're going to see plays made this year that might not have been made last year because of his physical presence, physical strength."
If you need a video reminder, here's what Griffin did early last season against Washington State:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUDvLUqwF1I
------
Griffin won the big 12 400M hurdle title as an early enrollee, so he was running as a HS senior basically.
10:21 PM Tue, Apr 21, 2009
Chuck Carlton
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/fast-track-for-griffin-means-football.html?npc
Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin faced a choice this spring.
He could defend his 400-meter hurdles title in the Big 12. Or he could concentrate on football and bulk up by about eight to 10 pounds.
The winner: football. Coach Art Briles said Tuesday that "at this point" Griffin won't be competing in track.
"That to me shows a lot of vision for Robert, a lot of focus and a lot of team togetherness," Briles said. "What he's doing is sacrificing an opportunity to defend his Big 12 title in the 400 hurdles for this football team and for the other players on this team. That's part of being a great leader."
Briles sees the extra size and strength making a difference next season, although Griffin broke more than his share of tackles en route to rushing for 843 yards and 13 touchdowns last season as an 18-year-old true freshman.
"He's much stronger physically," Briles said. "It's unquestioned in that capacity. I think without a doubt we're going to see plays made this year that might not have been made last year because of his physical presence, physical strength."
If you need a video reminder, here's what Griffin did early last season against Washington State:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUDvLUqwF1I
------
Griffin won the big 12 400M hurdle title as an early enrollee, so he was running as a HS senior basically.