Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III’s third chance
December 19, 2014 by Terrance Dixon
Robert Griffin III has been given the starting job for the third time this season, each time under different circumstances. He was labeled as a franchise QB coming out of training camp, but he dislocated his ankle in Week 2. When he returned, he played poorly and was benched after three games. Now he’s been given a second chance getting the call for Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s not starting because he deserves it but because Colt McCoy has a sprained neck. McCoy was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday.
During 2013, Griffin rushed back to return for the season opener against the Eagles (which happened to be Kelly’s debut as Eagles coach) and he was neither the same passer nor rusher during a terrible second season with Washington. His career has continued to decline this season, with injuries effecting him before Head Coach Jay Gruden benched him last month. Now that Griffin is back for another try as a starter, this would be the ideal chance for him to begin restoring his reputation. Griffin came off the bench last Sunday replacing McCoy completing 18 of 27 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown. He ran five times for 46 yards and almost had a touchdown but it was ruled he had lost control of the ball on a dive toward the end zone just before halftime so it didn’t count.
Chip Kelly seemed baffled by the idea that Griffin might not be the same athlete he was before the injuries. “If you sleep on that guy, trust me, reporters will be sitting here after the game going, ‘Boy, he went for a hundred yards against you, how did that happen?” Kelly said. “That kid is athletic as heck, and he can run really, really well. Trust me, we have to understand where he is on every single play.”
The Eagles expect to see a different Redskins offense than the one they saw when Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 427 yards in the Birds’ Week 3 win. Griffin was injured at that point, and Washington has not won any games that he started and finished this season. This comes after Griffin was 3-10 last season. However, Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis said Griffin is “still a dynamic player,” and he made those comments after watching Griffin pass for 236 yards and rush for 46 against the Giants on Sunday.
Griffin’s future in Washington remains uncertain as the Redskins get another look at what he can do. If he cannot produce anything these last two games against the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, then his time at Washington will likely come to an end. If it was up to me and I were the Redskins, I would play for the draft. Second chances are hard to come by, let alone three chances so Griffin has to take advantage of this.