Is the Sun Setting on Robert Griffin’s Career in Washington ?

August 22, 2015 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

For RG III, his run in Washington could be coming to an end.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. When the Washington Redskins traded up for Robert Griffin the Third in the 2012 draft, the once proud Washington franchise has their savior. For one season Griffin flashed a rocket arm and blistering speed propelling the Redskins into the playoffs. The Offensive rookie of the year looked poised to become a star in the NFL.

My how things have changed. Ever since leaving the field to an injury in the 2013 Wildcard game Griffin’s career has been marred by what could have been as the once promising star is facing the real possibility that his once promising career is going down in flames.

It’s been a plethora of issues of Griffin. From his health, relationship with the organization, and players raising major issues in Washington over the past few seasons the divorce between Griffin and Washington seems to be inevitable.

After suffering a concussion in the preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Robert Griffin’s health has become a major liability to an organization that has been buried in the NFC East by its more talented counterparts. With a lack of draft picks in recent years, thanks to the Griffin trade, the Redskins have a depleted roster and have constructed a poor offensive line that allowed Griffin to be beat up and eventually knocked out of the game against Detroit.

Griffin’s latest injury coupled with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL does not bode well for his 2015 campaign

At this point the best thing for both parties is to move on. Griffin has won only five games over the past two seasons for the Redskins, after winning nine his rookie year, and started only 20 games over the past two years. It’s just not working in D.C. and Washington has already fired on coach in Mike Shanahan during the Griffin regime and shouldn’t blow up the organization once again to try to make it “work” with RGIII.

Griffin hasn’t exactly made it easy for the Redskins. From spats with teammates to saying “I think I’m the best quarterback in the NFL” just days before the preseason game, Griffin has become a lightning rod and has made himself a bigger target. It’s one thing to be confident and make statements, but you have to back it up. So far, Griffin has not proven since his rookie season that he should be the quarterback and face of the Washington franchise. Not only has the off the field baggage hurt RG3’s chances in Washington, but more importunely his on the field play has.

Here’s the ugly truth, Griffin will probably never be the same player he was in his rookie season. His knee has already hindered his once great speed, and he’s already proven that he doesn’t have the body to survive being a running quarterback in this league. Coupled with bad throwing mechanics that Griffin has not refined it’s hard to imagine Griffin becoming an elite pocket passer.

Still the major problem with Griffin is health. Like Sam Bradford they have the talent to be great quarterbacks in the NFL, but not the durability. Part of being a successful player in the NFL is having the ability to stay on the field and protect your body. Griffin has not learned how to do that, and until he does it’s hard pressed to see him surviving through a sixteen game schedule.

Divorces are ugly and unless Griffin can drastically turn it around and stay healthy for the 2015 season, this will be his last year in the nation’s capital.

Damaged Goods? What’s next for RGIII?

September 14, 2014September 15, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / 1 Comment

After having one of the most successful rookie seasons in NFL history, the once emerging superstar that was Robert Griffin III has crashed to earth. After just two games, it appears that Griffin’s 2014 season is already over. After suffering a dislocated ankle early in the Redskins second week matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Griffin’s career could be in serious jeopardy.

Griffin’s latest injury could possibly derail his career

Last year it was clear that he had not fully recovered from his torn ACL, the injury that ended his promising rookie campaign. His ability to run and use his lower half on the deep ball were greatly diminished, and even made him a sitting duck at times. After an offseason with questions about his leadership, it looked like RGIII would be ready to have a breakout 2014. However, early this season, it was clear that Griffin was still not 100%. His speed, burst, and ability to use his legs to drive the ball down the field still paled in comparison to when he was healthy in his first season.. Now with this injury, the Redskins may need to start thinking about a future without RGIII.

The Future in Washington?

After a two touchdown performance while replacing Griffin on Sunday, Kirk Cousins is now poised to solidify himself as the future quarterback for the Redskins. After outperforming Griffin throughout the preseason, Cousins will finally get his shot, and if he can perform at a high level, then the Washington front office will have to make a difficult decision.

It will be a tough decision on what to do at quarterback, especially given the price that the Redskins gave up to pick RGIII in the draft. Let’s not forget the Redskins traded a second round pick along with three first round picks to move up to draft Griffin. If RGIII cannot turn it around, it could be one of the worst trades in NFL history considering the plethora of young talent that St. Louis has acquired with those picks.

So what now? Is Robert Griffin on a path similar to Sam Bradford? A highly talented quarterback whose injuries ultimately ended up ruining a promising career. While Griffin clearly is more talented than Bradford physically, the fact that Griffin cannot stay healthy coupled with the fact that the Redskins have a barren roster with the lack of draft picks over the past three years has made Griffin a serious problem.

Now, do I think it is time for Washington to move on from Griffin? No, but if Cousins can put this franchise in a position to make the playoffs, the clock on RGIII’s career in Washington will begin counting down.

Time to go? Is RGIII wearing out his welcome?

January 7, 2014 / Rich Sports Talk / Leave a comment

Robert Griffin the Third has gone from NFL poster boy, to the definition of NFL diva in one year. After a season riff with turmoil, RG III continues dumping kerosene on the fire that is the Washington Redskins. After a year of being called out by his teammates about his leadership and focus, RGIII has gone from savior to cancer. True this isn’t all his fault, his knee injury and Shannahan’s coaching issues were aspects that Griffin had no control over. However, RGIII became consumed in the brand that was RGIII. Sure he dominated the media market with countless commercials, but he forgot that with great athlete commercials, there must be great athletic performances.

Now after a terrible season, RGIII just continues to pile on the controversy. Even after getting Mike Shanahan fired, Griffin still continues to grab the limelight for the wrong reasons. He recently came out bragging to teammates about the influence he has on the team’s management. Owner Dan Schneider only confirms that notion by stating that Griffin will have input on who the next coach of the Redskins will be. I’m sorry, but it is clear that the inmate is running the asylum, and this never ends well. This is the NFL. This isn’t the NBA where one superstar is the difference, there are 52 other men that make a team. RGIII struts around as if he is the best quarterback in the league. But really what has he done? Sure he got the Redskins to the playoffs, but that’s it. He’s only had one winning season, been in the league two seasons, and hasn’t won a playoff game. Yet, he acts like he has done everything you can in the NFL. If anything, RGIII has a terrible legacy for now being a so-called “coach killer” and a diva. You can tell that his team doesn’t want to play for him anymore. They won’t help him up after plays and continue to talk about their quarterback’s poor leadership.

So what should the Redskins do? Some fans may not want to hear this, but the Redskins should try to get rid of RGIII. While this will probably never happen, because Daniel Snyder loves Griffin, it could be what’s best for this team. While they have given up three first round draft picks for Griffin, it would be addition by subtraction. Griffin has too much power in DC, power no player should have. His job is to play quarterback, not help pick the roster and coaching staff. When the inmates start to run the asylum, your organization is in trouble. Now the Redskins also have the issue of being an organization that is in chaos. What players would want to come play with a quarterback who is injury prone and is a diva? The Redskins also may be costing their organization a great coach. What coach really wants to come into a situation when their quarterback has so much power within the organization? RGIII could be costing the organization a great coach.

2014 will be a crucial year for RGIII. Not only does he have to get healthy and return to his rookie year form, but he also will be under a tremendous microscope. With all these offseason issues and drama in the nation’s capital, Robert Griffin must prove that he’s an elite quarterback. Not only on the field, but off the field. He has numerous bridges to repair in D.C. If RGIII can overcome this and become the quarterback he has the potential to be, it will be one of the greatest transformations in NFL history. If not, Griffin could be the next great bust in the NFL. What do you think? Will RGIII be a bust or will he regain his form? Is it in the best interest for the Redskins to get rid of him?