When the Washington Redskins traded up in the 2012 NFL Draft they sent a message across the league. Not only did they say that they believed that Robert Griffin III was a franchise changing player but that he was the missing piece the franchise needed to make that leap, as they gave up multiple potential impact players for one person.
What they have now is a mess, no denying or hiding it. And they created that mess at the same draft they were supposed to have drafted their difference maker. Not only did they take Griffin in the first round, but with their next available pick in the fourth round they took another quarterback in Kirk Cousins.
Washington Redskins: Can We Stop With The RGIII Scapegoating
Griffin has had his share of problems since he has come to D.C., but his on the field performances hasn’t justified the criticism he has received by the general public. Not to sound like a RGIII blind-backer, but the former Heisman Trophy winner has been far from the actual problem for Washington, and Cousins is far from the answer that everyone seemed to think he was.
The offensive line still can’t block, for all the hate about RGIII running too much and getting injured doing so none of his injuries have come from designed running plays but when he has been forced to run. The defense still can’t stop anyone. While the run defense has gotten better, and the pass rush has been amazing they still find ways to give up points.
But these problems were ignored. Everyone had their scapegoat. Once Mike Shannahan was jettisoned back into retirement and Kyle Shanahan was off to Cleveland (what does that say about him that he has the Browns playing like that with far less talent than Washington?) everyone turned their torches and pitchforks to Griffin.
Then, the Redskins’ fans got what they wanted – Cousins was going to get his opportunity to outshine RGIII. He did so in preseason, why should that be any different in the regular season? It wasn’t the way (at least I hope not) they wanted him to get it, but Cousins was finally going to get his shot with Griffin hurt.
Never mind that despite far less playing time has thrown only two less interceptions in his career after Thursday night. In Cousins regular season career, he has thrown an interception once every 21-pass attempts. Say what you will about RGIII, he only throws at a rate of 1-for-every-52-passes.
Does he put up numbers? Certainly, his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles was great on paper. But when push came to shove what did he do? Turn the ball over.
Against the New York Giants, before the Redskins were out of it they had their window – and Cousins lofted a pass right into Quintin Demps’ waiting arms. Alfred Morris puts the final touches on an impressive opening drive with a touchdown, Cousins throws three interceptions in the third quarter, thus sealing the fate for Washington.
The yards may continue to pile up and he will, at least for the 2014-season, always look far more comfortable at running Jay Gruden’s offense than Griffin will but in the end the record is the say-all-be-all.
And there is where RGIII has the edge.
So stop making RGIII your scapegoat, don’t even make Cousins it (even though he is at fault here). This is a team game right? Let the entire team allow this ship to continue to sink, they seemed pretty content with it Thursday night. The quarterback position is certainly at the top of their problems, but it is far from their only major concern.
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