Robert Griffin III condemns Commanders’ public criticism of Jamin Davis

The Washington Commanders’ defensive struggles are the prevailing narrative surrounding the team through two weeks. While we should be praising the offense for ranking eighth with 27.5 points per game, we’re talking ad nauseam about the defense, including the coaching staff’s bizarre treatment of Jamin Davis.

First, Jack Del Rio came out and blasted Davis‘ Week 1 performance to the media, saying he expects the second-year linebacker to play better. While the criticism was warranted (Davis wasn’t very good in the game), it was admittedly head-scratching that no other player on the defense was openly criticized.

Then, the Commanders gave up 36 points to the Jared Goff-led Lions. The widely-panned quarterback threw four touchdowns and Detroit racked up 424 total yards of offense while averaging an obscene 8.0. yards per carry.

After the defeat, Davis was the only defender mentioned by name. This time, Ron Rivera replaced Del Rio as the bearer of criticism, saying Davis is “running out of time” to develop consistency in his game, which shocked just about every fan.

This is the lead story in Washington, and Robert Griffin III has taken notice. Suffice it to say Griffin doesn’t appreciate the team’s treatment of Davis.

Robert Griffin III doesn’t approve of the Commanders coaching staff’s public criticism of Jamin Davis.

"“There are multiple ways to encourage or light a fire under a guy’s seat to make him play better. One of those methods should never be a coach in the media,” Griffin told 106.7 The Fan’s “The Sports Junkies.” “I strongly believe that, obviously I’ve had my own experiences with that. And I think throwing him under the bus, essentially putting the tire tracks on his back, isn’t good for the locker room.“Coaches have to take a certain accountability to say ‘Hey, maybe he’s not playing to the best of his ability, but I have to put him in better positions to be successful. That’s coaching. Great coaches are the ones who put their players in the right spot.”"

Griffin III couldn’t have put it any better. Perhaps the biggest gripe fans have with Rivera is how little he holds himself, his coaches and players accountable. Whether it be blaming injuries or sugarcoating inexcusable performances by saying he saw “some good things,” Rivera rarely publicly lambastes his squad.

That’s what makes the Davis situation so befuddling and frustrating … and Davis himself seemingly responded to the criticism on Monday.

In an act of self-motivation or a passive-aggressive shot at his coaching staff, Davis posted a clip to Instagram that has since been deleted. Several teammates liked the post, including veteran safety and supposed leader Bobby McCain.

"“Davis had a sack in the first half I believe, and actually played better this week than he did last week,” Griffin added. “So I think pointing him out as ‘Hey, this is the guy to blame’, I think that’s a little bit out of character for what Ron Rivera has shown himself to be, and I don’t think that’s the best thing for Jamin Davis in that locker room.“I would do it a different way. They’re deciding to do it that way, but at the end of the day he’s not the reason they’re giving up seven yards a carry, eight yards a carry in back-to-back games.”"

Again, Griffin III hits the nail right on the head.

Even if Davis was a seasoned veteran and captain of the defense, him getting scapegoated for an entire defense’s struggles wouldn’t sit right. What kind of message would it send to the locker room if you swapped Davis for Jonathan Allen?

That’s why Griffin’s comments are spot on. No matter what player it is — a perennial superstar or second-year player who’s learning on the job — the concept of throwing a single player under the bus to the media is a baffling strategy. The fact it’s Davis in the crosshairs makes it all the more dumbfounding.

At least we’re not the only ones who feel this way.