The Washington Redskins announced on Monday that Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback, replacing Robert Griffin III. Griffin has been the Redskins quarterback the last three seasons. What kind of move is this?
Robert Griffin III was drafted by Washington second overall in the 2012 NFL draft. In his rookie year he threw for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He missed one game due to a sprained lateral collateral ligament (lcl). The Redskins made the playoffs that year and lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round. He ended up leaving that game when his knee buckled. Kirk Cousins replaced him.
Griffin would start the 2013 season even though he didn’t play any preseason games. The Redskins had an awful year going 3-13. Griffin had a decent season with 3,203 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Head Coach at the time, Mike Shanahan, benched him for the last three games and started Kirk Cousins. Shanahan didn’t want to risk another injury to Griffin. At the end of the year, Shanahan was fired.
The Redskins hired Jay Gruden as the head coach in 2014. Griffin appeared in nine games, the lowest in his career. In week two, he was carted off the field after he dislocated his left ankle against the Jaguars. Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy would start in his absence.
The Redskins thought Robert Griffin III would be the starter again this year. He suffered a concussion in week two of the preseason. Washington tabbed Kirk Cousins as the starter. CBSsports.com stated that Gruden said, “I just think it’s not so much what somebody didn’t do, it’s just what Kirk has done. And I think what he’s done in practice and OTAs has really opened our eyes. And he’s proven to be the best quarterback on our roster at the time. It’s a compliment to Kirk.”
Many media members wonder if this is the end of RG3 in a Redskins uniform. According to YahooSports, Head Coach Jay Gruden said, “I have nothing against Robert, I like Robert as a quarterback, there’s no doubt about it. His future with the Washington Redskins is what it is. There have been no discussions of letting him go or any of that stuff.”
The Redskins made the best choice possible. They have to be able to win games. RG3 is 14-21 as the Redskins’ starter. He had plenty of chances to win in Washington. It has yet to happen. He has also suffered injuries because of his style of play. Griffin loves to run in the open field but takes the big hits and doesn’t slide.
Kirk Cousins hasn’t had the opportunity to show the Redskins he can lead this team. His overall record is 2-7. If Cousins struggles, it might be up to Colt McCoy. McCoy has been a backup for most of his career. He is 1-3 with the Redskins. Both Cousins and McCoy are pocket passers, which RG III isn’t.
Washington needs to decide what to do with Robert Griffin III. They could release him and many teams would want him as a quarterback because he knows how to play in the NFL. If they keep him, he may be upset that he is not starting. The other option is to trade him. That would allow Washington to at least get something back for him, even if it’s a third or fourth-round draft pick.
What should the Redskins do with Robert Griffin III?
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