Snead's RGIII nightmare

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Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III points to the heavens as time expires on their 40-32 win over the Saints in New Orleans last Sunday. (JONATHAN NEWTON / THE WASHINGTON POST ARCHIVES)

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Sam Bradford (CP)

St. Louis Rams GM Les Snead can't be getting much sleep these days.

He's the guy who traded the second-overall pick to the Washington Redskins for a bounty of high draft choices prior to the NFL's annual selection process this past off-season. The 'Skins took Robert Griffin III, and the second-guessing on Snead's decision is underway.

Griffin's debut in New Orleans last weekend was impressive. He threw for 320 yards, completed 73 per cent of his passes -- two of those for touchdowns -- and rushed for 42 yards on 10 carries. More importantly, he led the Redskins to a win.

As his numbers went through the roof at the Superdome, the expected reaction buzzed through the football world. Twitter went bananas, detailing his every move with its predictable overkill.

The juiced-up NFL analysts couldn't help themselves, either, declaring him better than Cam Newton and Michael Vick combined. And of course, a new sensation: Griffining -- sitting down with your legs extended while raising your arms for a touchdown.

This is all after one game.

Back to Snead's sleeping habits for a second. Maybe he's right. Maybe his current young quarterback -- the less-dynamic Sam Bradford -- will eventually turn out to be a star and the Rams will benefit from the added depth they stand to gain from trading down.

Right now, though, after one game and immeasurable hype from the 24-hour sports news cycle that declares everything currently taking place as the 'greatest thing ever,' Griffin -- the NFC's offensive player of the week, to boot -- is the story of the moment and a nightmare for Snead.

Oh, look. Washington plays in St. Louis Sunday.

Hey Les, how'd you sleep last night?

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

TONIGHT

Chicago at Green Bay

Line: Packers -6.5

Green Bay allowed an Alex Smith-led offence 377 yards last week. That said, it's tough to bet against them here. Pick: Packers both ways.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16

Tampa Bay at New York Giants

Line: Giants -7.5

Hopefully, the New York secondary learned how to defend a slant. Don't even get me started on the offensive line. Pick: Giants straight up, Bucs and the points.

New Orleans at Carolina

Line: Saints -2.5

Two clubs, division rivals, no less, coming off questionable openers. It's hard to imagine Drew Brees starting 0-2 but yet, here we are. Pick: Panthers both ways.

Arizona at New England

Line: Patriots -13.5

One of those games where you expect the better team to pound the lesser club. This ends up staying respectable. Pick: Patriots both ways.

Minnesota at Indianapolis

Line: Vikings -1.5

Andrew Luck went 23-of-45 for 309 yards and three picks against the Bears last week. He tightens that up this week. Pick: Colts.

Baltimore at Philadelphia

Line: Eagles -2.5

Word out of Philly was that Michael Vick took too many open-field hits versus the Browns. What's the problem? Pick: Ravens both ways.

Kansas City at Buffalo

Line: Bills -3.5

Buffalo does a masterful job of controlling expectations by never being as good as people want them to be. Pick: Bills win here, but the Chiefs cover.

Cleveland at Cincinnati

Line: Bengals -7.5

Browns QB Brandon Weeden's line last week: 12-of-35 for 118 yards, four INTs and a 5.1 rating. Plus he got caught under the giant U.S. flag before the game. Pure comedy. Pick: Bengals both ways.

Houston at Jacksonville

Line: Texans -7.5

I have nothing constructive (or deconstructive) to say about this game. Pick: Texans both ways.

Dallas at Seattle

Line: Cowboys -3.5

Remember the 2007 playoff game when Tony Romo fumbled the field-goal snap that cost the Cowboys the game? That was in Seattle. Just thought I'd bring that up. Pick: Cowboys to win.

Washington at St. Louis

Line: Redskins -3.5

Can you imagine being a Rams fan, sitting at this game, watching RGIII tearing it up for the other team? Ugh. Pick: Redskins straight up, Rams and the points.

New York Jets at Pittsburgh

Line: Steelers -6.5

Everyone was down on the Jets last week, so of course they won big. Now everyone loves them... you know how this turns out. Pick: Steelers straight up, Jets and points.

Tennessee at San Diego

Line: Chargers -6.5

The thing about early season play is that you don't know how good teams really are. Case in point, these two teams. Pick: Chargers both ways.

Oakland at Miami

Line: Raiders -3.5

Could be Miami's only chance for a win this year. Oh well. Pick: Raiders both ways.

Detroit at San Francisco

Line: 49ers -6.5

My wish is that the goalposts not only stuff a Vernon Davis dunk attempt again, but the surprisingly athletic yellow bar slaps the football into the tenth row. Pick: 49ers straight up, Lions and the points.

Monday, Sept. 17

Denver at Atlanta

Line: Falcons -3.5

The Falcons are flying high. The Falcons look good. The Falcons. THE FALCONS. Pick: The Falcons both ways.

THE FALLOUT

Free Press reporter Adam Wazny is flying solo this year, offering his weekly NFL picks for all to see and mock. The record after the first week: straight up: 11-5; against the spread: 5-11.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 13, 2012 C4