What should the Washington Redskins do with Robert Griffin III?

By Ryan Dunne on September 27, 2013

It’s no surprise. It’s not a shock. It’s not even hard to see. Despite what Washington Redskins’ QB Robert Griffin III says, he isn’t healthy. What we were all so accustomed to seeing from the Rookie of the Year in 2012 is over.

No more read options; at least not as the foundation of the Redskins offensive play calling. Griffin must learn how to sit in the pocket, adjust blocking schemes and read blitzes more often than he has been used to. He has been the most blitzed quarterback throughout the first three weeks of the season, which is smart of opposing defensive coordinators.

I mean, why wouldn’t you?

The knee brace is definitely holding him back from his potential as a runner. But critics throughout have said, “You need to protect him and stay away from running the ball.” So if Washington takes away his running plays and make him stay in the pocket, what is that going to do for defenses? Open up blitz opportunities.

When Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were coming out of college, people would talk about who should be the top overall draft pick? Luck has yet to miss a snap due to injury, and Griffin has missed his fair share of snaps, even a game against Cleveland in which Kirk Cousins, who is now talked  about to replace Griffin, shined and has continued to shine when he gets his opportunity.

Let’s look at the body frame of Luck and Griffin.

Luck is listed at 6’4 and weighs in at 240. The guy is big. He is able to shed off tacklers and keep plays alive when his questionable offensive line can’t keep a clean pocket.

Griffin is listed at 6’2 and weighs 217 pounds. When you see him on the field, he looks small, not having a built body like Cam Newton or Ben Roethelisberger. He has to try and use his speed to elude tacklers. But right now he can’t, making him more susceptible to hits that could lead to injuries.

Now the recent Redskins struggles is not all on Robert. Have you seen the defense? Me neither because they are virtually invisible. The Redskins defense has allowed the most yards in NFL history in the first three weeks of any season. So what does that do when their defense is giving up points? Forces RG3 to throw, and throw, and throw again. And what does that do to opposing defenses? Gives them opportunities to blitz, and blitz, and blitz again.

If things don’t change in Washington and they don’t look like they are going to make the playoffs, Griffin needs to sit. They drafted him second overall in 2012 to be the face of the franchise and you want to make sure that face is healthy, not just for this year, but for years to come. It’s obvious he isn’t 100%.

Right now, they should continue to start him. Either way he has to learn to throw from the pocket fundamentally. But keeping him upright is going to be the biggest challenge for the Redskins moving forward this season.

If things continue to go this way and the Redskins have no chance to make the playoffs, look for Kirk Cousins to finish the season as the starter.

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