Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III Flops With Browns
Robert Griffin III was supposed to return to Washington for a revenge game this weekend. Instead, the veteran passer is injured and is likely pondering his future in the NFL.
The Washington Redskins made a huge decision this offseason that forever changed the shape of their franchise. After four years with the organization, the team decided to let former No. 2 overall pick Robert Griffin III leave in free agency. The team did not trade him and they did not try to keep him. Griffin had simply fizzled out, and it looked like Kirk Cousins was the future for the team.
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Still, people around the NFL still saw a lot of potential in Griffin. After all, the former Heisman winner had a stellar rookie year in Washington before a torn ACL in the playoffs limited his skill set. In his rookie year, it looked like he had a lot of talent. However, he simply regressed following the critical injury, and that left the Redskins in a tough situation. Do we keep this man we mortgaged the franchise for, or do we move in a different direction? They obviously chose the latter.
Thus far, the decision has somewhat paid off for the Skins. They started Cousins for all of last season, and made it to the playoffs with Griffin as their third stringer. Cousins looked great, and his accuracy appeared to be a major weapon. He started the 2016 season poorly in the two season opening losses, but got back on track against the New York Giants. He still definitely has work to do, but he has more potential for success in Washington than RG3 ever had.
Unfortunately, Griffin seemed to be a prima donna who caused issues in the locker room. He did not put in the necessary work to becoming a great quarterback, and that showed on the field. His regression was not just because of his injury. It was due to his work ethic as well. That is what caused him to leave Washington and join the Browns.
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With the Browns, Griffin was expected to be the starter. He won the job by default after playing a preseason that was decent at the best. Then, in the first game of the season Griffin hurt his shoulder and was consequently placed on injured reserve. That move may very well have ended his time as the Browns’ starter.
Because of the injury, Griffin will miss a chance to get a revenge game against his former team. He would have had a chance to prove the Redskins wrong for releasing him. Instead, he is now languishing on the IR, and may be wondering what is next for his career.
The story of RG3 is one that is both sad, and unsurprising. There are simply too many players in the league that end up being head cases and falling short of their potential. Griffin is one of them, and his lack of action on NFL Sundays is telling of his current level of success.