Picture a young quarterback with a rocket arm, quick feet and a load of expectations on his shoulders. He was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, and he has decided to wear the No. 7 across his chest.
Dwayne Haskins, or Michael Vick?
Obviously, it is bordering on irresponsible to compare Haskins to the legend of Vick before he has even taken a snap in the NFL, but there are some similarities that can be drawn if you care to. Recently, Vick expressed his excitement about Haskins and said that he believes the rookie is in a perfect position with the Redskins.
“It’s not difficult at all when you have an opportunity to sit behind guys like Case Keenum, who has a ton of experience and knows how to play the game,” Vick said on The Sports Junkies. “It’s not like he’s been rushed out there to play. He has some time to develop. That’s the most important thing for him right now.”
Though he was the No. 1 overall pick in 2001, Vick was able to bide his time behind Chris Chandler for the bulk of his rookie season, starting just two games near the end. It was this luxury to learn and get acclimated that can be accredited to Vick’s eventual rise to stardom.
Now, the Redskins have the same opportunity to offer their young star. There is obviously no guarantee that, should Haskins be provided the same opportunities as Vick, he will eventually emulate the future Hall of Famer. But it’s not a bad roadmap to follow.
