Six unsung plays from Washington Redskins history

MIKE SHANAHAN AND ROBERT GRIFFIN III, 1-6-13

This Is the most significant Redskins play of the 21st century, and until the team experiences substantial playoff success, it will continue to hold that dubious distinction. It essentially ended the career of a potential Hall of Fame coach, and severely curtailed the career of a potential standout quarterback. To make matters worse, it most likely cost the Redskins an extremely promising future head coach as well. And it all came down to one play and the coaching decision that followed.

Robert Griffin III had produced one of the greatest rookie quarterback seasons in 2012. But he hurt his knee late in the season and had to miss a little time. Determined to be ready for the playoffs, he got some work in at the end of the season, and then took the field against fellow rookie sensation Russell Wilson of Seattle.

For one quarter, it was no contest.

Griffin was as brilliant as fans had come to expect during that glorious season, and the vaunted Seahawks defense was shredded to the tune of 14-0. Late in the first quarter, just before the Redskins’ second score, Griffith planted awkwardly as he threw back across his body and appeared to reinjure his knee. His subsequent limp was noticeable.

But he stayed in the game, even completing a short touchdown pass a couple plays later. The Redskins would not score another point.

It became obvious to everyone watching that with every snap in the second, third, and fourth quarters, Griffin simply could not play. He could not plant to deliver a pass. He could not run, which had been a very dangerous component of his game. He was helpless, and it was getting worse and worse.

The Redskins’ lead vanished as the offense ground to a halt. Every fan I know could see it plainly and was pleading with Coach Shanahan to take RGIII out. Kirk Cousins had filled in fairly well in earlier games, and though he was not nearly as dynamic as Griffin, he could at least run the offense and potentially score.

But Shanahan refused to take Griffin out, saying afterwards that he had medical clearance, and in the coach’s opinion, offered the Redskins the best chance to win. Mike Shanahan knows more football than I will ever know, but that is pure, unadulterated… Well, I can’t say it. This is a family column.

Griffin would eventually destroy his knee in the fourth quarter, necessitating the switch to Cousins. But by that point, it was too late. Too late for the playoff game, which the Redskins sacrificed through stubbornness. And too late for Griffin’s career, which would never be the same. A lot of fans think of the sad moment in the fourth quarter when Griffin went down as being the big play. It wasn’t. It was the first quarter play when Mike Shanahan and Robert Griffin were given a clear warning, and completely ignored it.

Long-time fans can probably pick out another dozen smaller, less-recognized plays that stick in their minds. These are my six (Well, excepting the Sammy Baugh-Charley Malone one, which I only read about. I’m not THAT old).

And, just to see how closely you all read, I do realize that Darrell Green did not in fact break up that pass to Darrin Nelson in 1988. Nelson was already dropping it before Green hit him. But there’s this great movie line from The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: “When legend becomes fact, print the legend.”