RG III’s debut approaching

Robert Griffin III had plenty of success in college, so the Washington Redskins’ rookie quarterback expects the trend to continue when he makes his NFL debut in Thursday’s preseason opener at Buffalo.

“I’m not gonna make it too big to where I can’t seize it, so go out, have fun and do what coach asks me to do,” Griffin said Monday. “I think I’ll be more anxious than nervous. When you’re anxious you can’t wait to go succeed. You just gotta go out and play the game. It’ll be an eye-opening experience and I look forward to it.”

The expectations are high for Griffin, for whom the Redskins traded three first-round picks and a second-rounder to St. Louis to move up four spots and draft second overall in April.

Coach Mike Shanahan quickly anointed the 22-year-old Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor the starter and the face of the franchise, one that started 21 quarterbacks the past 19 seasons while only reaching the playoffs three times.

“I don’t ever shy away from expectations or people trying to put pressure on me to be great,” Griffin said.

Shanahan likes that confidence in his rookie quarterback.

“You want people to believe in themselves,” said Shanahan. “You want them to have that air of arrogance that they are the best at what they do. Usually the great ones do have that confidence level.”

NFL disputes report of Vilma settlement offer

NEW YORK — The NFL calls a report it has offered a settlement and reduced suspension to Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma “completely inaccurate.”

Vilma has been suspended for the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty program, which he adamantly has claimed did not exist. Citing anonymous sources, ESPN.com reported the league offered Vilma an eight-game suspension if he would drop his defamation lawsuit against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“No such settlement offer has been made,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Monday. “We will continue to respect the court proceedings on this matter and have no further comment at this time.”

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