According to sources within the organization and first reported by Adam Schefter, starting quarterback Robert Griffin, III will sit out this Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy will start in his place.
This decision might surprise some but it should not. Head coach, Jay Gruden has 52 other guys to consider when doing his job. Those guys want and deserve to win. Throughout the season, Gruden has been lukewarm in his support of Griffin and even though he said he intended to start Griffin this weekend, he never really committed to it 100 percent.
The question now is: what does this mean for Griffin’s future here?
It’s possible that Gruden and his staff have decided that Griffin is not the man for the starting position in Washington now or ever. They may try to trade him before his contract option comes up in May of 2015.
Or, this may be a temporary move made to give the former Rookie of the Year more time to learn and develop into the NFL pro-style offensive weapon many think he can be. Perhaps letting him sit and watch McCoy run the game plans that Gruden sets up is something the staff thinks would help him. Look at the [Green Bay Packers’ quarterback] Aaron Rodgers and [New England Patriots’ quarterback] Tom Brady’s of the world… these guys are elite signal-callers but they sat for a time before they took over their offenses.
Griffin has obviously had problems with Gruden’s system. When the team played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two weeks ago and San Francisco 49ers last weekend, it was clear Griffin was uncomfortable in so many phases of the game. The open receivers he missed was the most frustrating thing for everyone involved and it seemed he did not trust either the call itself or that his wide outs would be where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there. The defense played really well in that game and, had the offense been running properly, it would have been no surprise to see Washington beat San Francisco. There was no chance of this happening, however, the way Griffin played through most of the game.
Again, Gruden is not only charged with developing Griffin, the head coach has an obligation to 52 other guys (plus the practice squad players if you want to include them) on the team. There has to be frustration in the locker room, no matter how much guys might like RGIII, when they are on the field, doing their jobs and the quarterback just isn’t getting it done.
Whether or not the decision to sit Griffin came down from on high (owner Dan Snyder and President/GM Bruce Allen) or whether it was totally Gruden and his staff’s decision, it’s been done. Neither situation would be a surprise, especially because of what the team gave up for the third year players. Many thought that Gruden should keep Griffin at the helm for the rest of the season and find out exactly what Griffin can do (or not do). With just one year left on the Heisman Trophy winner’s contract, Griffin does not have much time to do what he needs to do to prove he can be a franchise quarterback.
Will the team sit Griffin for a couple of games and then try again? Will Gruden work with him separately to see how much he can develop during the remainder of the season? Do either of them even have time for that?
It’s going to be important to find out what the long term plans are for this young man. The worst-case scenario is that the team trades Griffin to another team and he shines… and then this whole situation comes back to kick Washington in its NFC-East-Division-back-end.
Today’s press conferences will be important. Hopefully they will be informative as well. Before today, Griffin was expected to go to the podium at 11:30. This will likely be McCoy now. Gruden speaks after practice. Both pressers will be long probably.
Again, this benching does not necessarily signify the end of Griffin here in Washington. Gruden and the powers that be will have to make that determination as time goes on. If McCoy doesn’t do well, we may see Kirk Cousins again before we see Griffin back on the field but, with the latter’s skills, it would not be smart to trade him before trying harder to develop him. He may even take the field again before the end of the season. It appears that Gruden would actually like the quarterback to succeed. But he has an entire team to lead as well.
Whatever the long-term plans, the players and coaches should rally around this decision. It is the best way to clear their minds of the media noise to follow. Someone on the staff feels this latest option will give the Redskins a better chance to win… THAT is what will quiet most of the noise… eventually.
Hail.