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5 Reasons Robert Griffin III Failed with Redskins

By Maurice Barksdale

Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) walks off the field after being injured against the Detroit Lions at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) walks off the field after being injured against the Detroit Lions at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Robert Griffin III
Dec 28, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) throws the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

A poor relationship with Mike Shanahan

When Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was first drafted by the team it seemed as though his relationship with head coach Mike Shanahan was a good one. However, after his incredible rookie season the truth was revealed.

The relationship between quarterback and head coach was not that good after all.  The reality of it was that Mike Shanahan was actually against making the trade up to draft RGIII. Shanahan wanted to stay at the fifth pick in the 2012 NFL draft and take Ryan Tannehill instead of Griffin.

But owner Dan Snyder wanted RGIII on the team so the Redskins went ahead and made the trade up to take him with the number two pick in the 2012 Draft.  Shanahan also objected to the relationship between RGIII and team owner Daniel Snyder.

When Griffin suffered a serious knee injury in the 2012 playoffs the rift between he and Shanahan grew even wider.  Some blame Griffin for the injury because he didn’t take himself from the game.

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However, I blamed Shanahan for the injury because it’s up to the coach to sit a player down when they’re no longer effective.  Shanahan failed to do that.  Griffin could barely walk let alone run and yet Shanahan left him in there.

When that knee twisted backwards I knew in that moment that things would never be the same.  When Griffin announced that he would be ready to play in week one of the 2013 regular season the relationship deteriorated even more.

Many believed Griffin made this move because he was afraid that back up Kirk Cousins would be named the starter by Shanahan ahead of him.  It’s been revealed since that Shanahan drafted Kirk Cousins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL in direct response to Snyder wanting to draft Griffin.

The relationship was doomed from the very beginning and this is one of the major reasons as to why the Robert Griffin III era was a failure in Washington.

Next: Injuries

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