“You Won’t See the Same Robert Griffin. You’ll See a Better Robert Griffin.”

Those words straight from the mouth of RGIII himself on the occasion of winning the coveted AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award:

Speaking for the first time since undergoing extensive knee surgery nearly four weeks ago,Griffin said his rehabilitation is already ahead of schedule and he has “no doubt” he’ll be ready to play next season.

“My goal is Week 1,” he said. “That’s all I’m really worried about.”

Griffin, who underwent surgery on his right knee on Jan. 9, said he’s been off crutches for nearly two weeks and was walking Saturday with only the slightest hint of a limp. Sporting a striped burgundy and gold neck tie, Griffin had no problem taking the stage at Mahalia Jackson Theater and accepting his award from New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.

“It’s a truly a blessing to be up here and be able to stand, first and foremost,” Griffin told the star-studded crowd. “I had a tough injury there at the end of the season.”

The quarterback had made no public appearances since injuring his knee in the Redskins’ Jan. 6 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks and likened Saturday night to a “coming-out party,” as he offered updates on his progress and his offseason hopes. Griffin said when Washington fans see him take the field next, they’ll notice changes.

“You will see a different version of me,” he said. “I vowed to my teammates and to myself after my first knee injury that I’ll come back a better player and that’s what I plan to do after this one as well. You won’t see the same Robert Griffin. You’ll see a better Robert Griffin.”

That would be one helluva Robert Griffin.

I hope he's right but as an avid Skins fan, I'd be most happy with the same Robert Griffin coming back to the line-up.