Feb. 2, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA: Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III on the red carpet prior to the Super Bowl XLVII NFL Honors award show at Mahalia Jackson Theater. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III is a transcendent cultural icon…and a pretty decent quarterback as well. For these reasons, I am writing a weekly Monday column in which I track/stalk his every movement during this highly publicized off-season. Whether he is rehabbing his knee or stretching it on the red carpet, you will find it here.

The Week of May 13th

Wedding gifts are pouring in! Last week, I detailed how the Griffin/Liddicoat wedding registry from Bed Bath & Beyond had been discovered by Sarah Kogod of The Washington Post. And boy, did the Redskins fan base deliver! It took less than a week for the registry to be completely bought out. Griffin tweeted out this picture thanking fans for their presents. He then defended himself against criticism that he should not be accepting gifts from fans with a salary over $20 million.

I didn’t ask the fans to buy me anything. They found it on their own and decided to get what they could. SMH at all these Debbie downers

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 19, 2013

Take that Debbie Downers! When life hands RG3 lemons, he will open up his brand new lemon zester and make a delightful pie.

Griffin remains secretive about recovery: Dave Sheinin wrote a story yesterday about RG3′s limited interaction with the media since his surgery on January 9. With the first spring workouts taking place today, Griffin is expected to join the team but will not take part in organized offensive drills. The media will be limited to selected parts of his Thursday workout, after which Griffin will hold a press conference. Doctor James Andrews expressed that RG3 is ahead of schedule and Griffin’s mom remains positive about his recovery. Still, RG3 has clearly limited media access to his personal life meaning that Redskins fans are left wondering about a timeline for his return to the field. Much like a candidate for political office, Griffin has tight control of the messages that come out about him. While that might be frustrating at times as a writer, as a fan it certainly beats the alternative.

And finally, the RG3 Tweet of the Week:

Haters gon hate. Theme of the day. They always say more money more problems. Or mo’ money mo’ problems. Yea I’m cultured #DealWithIt

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 20, 2013

Dec 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan along the sidelines during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

For as long as Robert Griffin III has been the quarterback, Mike Shanahan has been dogged by the same nagging question: Are he and Griffin on the same page? More specifically, does Shanahan place a higher value on protecting the star of the franchise than winning? This question was pushed to the background during the final two months of the season as the Redskins produced a miraculous winning streak to capture the NFC East and secure a playoff bid. But as RG3 lay crumpled on the FedEx Field mud during the playoff game against Seattle, the question resurfaced louder than ever. Despite the many feel good stories of Griffin’s knee rehab during the off-season, it’s clear that the coach-quarterback relationship has not been fully addressed.

Washington Post columnist (and former Redskins beat writer) Jason Reid discussed this issue on Thursday with Lavar Arrington and Chad Dukes. Based on his inside knowledge of the team, there are problems still to be ironed out:

“The situation has to be straightened out. Let’s put it that way. They don’t have to love each other, but they have to be on the same page. And I don’t think it’s a big stretch by what we’ve seen so far publicly, to say that there are clearly questions as to whether or not they’re on the same page.”

This damning quote is in response to tweets sent by RG3 to ESPN’s Trey Wingo in March. Griffin asserted that, “I know where my responsibility is within the dilemma that led to me having surgery to repair my knee, and all parties involved know their responsibilities as well.” Griffin clearly placed significant blame on Shanahan for the injury. Reid believes this is still a problem for the organization.

There are countless examples of Shanahan taking unnecessary risks with the health of his quarterback. Before the final injury during the playoff game, there were clear signs that Griffin was in debilitating pain. Yet Shanahan did not bench Griffin, and even called a quarterback keeper that saw RG3 hobble to the sideline on one leg. Even before the playoffs there were questions. Why were the Redskins so slow to diagnose a concussion in an October game against the Falcons? Why did Kyle Shanahan call so many veer option plays that left RG3 exposed to NFL defenses? Why did Mike Shanahan wait until the end of the season to suggest that RG3 needs to learn how to slide? These examples provide evidence to the question of whether Shanahan has been too risky with his quarterback. The question that is much more difficult to answer is, In what ways has Shanahan actually protected RG3?

Locker room dynamics are often overblown in the media. However, the relationship between Robert Griffin III and the Shanahans is a critical one for the future of the Redskins. If Griffin is to continue putting his well-being into the hands of his coaches, he needs to trust that they have his best interest at heart. At the moment, that does not appear to be the case.

Oct 6, 2012 Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Chris Thompson (4) carries the ball as North Carolina State Wolfpack linebacker Rodman Noel defends in the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, the Washington Redskins signed fifth-round draft pick Chris Thompson to a four-year rookie contract. The team tweeted out a picture of the Florida State running back signing his official deal. The team then announced this morning that it has also come to terms with seventh round selection Jawan Jamison from Rutgers. Both players will now enter the competition to become the back-up to Alfred Morris. Evan Royster and Roy Helu remain on the Redskins roster.

Thompson is the most explosive of the four backs, averaging over seven yards a carry in college. However, his collegiate career has been plagued with injuries. Thompson is currently rehabbing from reconstructive surgery of his ACL, but has expressed a hope of participating in mini-camp starting at the end of July. Jamison is also a question mark; he had a productive career at Rutgers, but left school two years early to provide financial assistance to his family. However, in drafting two running backs, Mike Shanahan appears to be displeased with the depth currently on the roster. For this reason, Thompson and Jamison appear to have a great opportunity to find a spot on the final roster.