Robert Griffin III has participated in only five practices as a member of the Washington Redskins, but head coach Mike Shanahan has seen enough to name him the starter moving forward.

"He's the starter, period," Shanahan told the gathered media at the conclusion of this weekend's rookie mini-camp.

Shanahan reminded reporters that the developmental process has only just begun for Griffin III, but he would run the first team offense when the veterans returned for OTA's.

"With any young quarterback, it is going to take some time," he said.  "Obviously, any time you pick a player with the second pick of the draft, you have a game plan in mind."

Shanahan credited Griffin III's preparation with the playbook, as well as his athletic talents for the move to first string.

"Everybody talks about his ability to run, but that's because he has Olympic-speed," Shanahan explained.  "He is a thrower first, and his other skills fit perfectly to what we do."

Shanahan said that when the team re-convenes next week, Griffin III will take 80 percent of the snaps with the first-team, while Rex Grossman and Kirk Cousins are in an open competition for the second-string job.

"Robert was able to pick it up the playbook very quickly and show it on the field," Shanahan explained.  "We are going to adjust our system to what he feels comfortable with, and we will watch him grow."