Robert Griffin III can’t stay out of the news
Robert Griffin III is a talented quarterback. The Washington Redskins traded a trio of first-round picks to trade up for the Heisman Trophy winner in 2012, and at first, things looked great. Griffin came firing out of the gate to help the Redskins win the NFC East in his rookie season, leading them past the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 to clinch the title.
It appeared Washington was on the way to a very successful decade. Since that night, the Redskins have won seven games.
On Monday, Griffin stunned the masses when he claimed that he was the best quarterback in the league. Now, according to ESPN, he is annoyed that the media twisted his words, despite reiterating that he feels that way:
“I know what I meant. I think everyone in this circle [of reporters] knows what I meant,” Griffin said. “It’s unfortunate that my name keeps getting used for headlines for people to click on stories. I know what I want to be, and I know what I strive to be. I’m not going to make any apologies for that.”
Griffin’s play has been a major part of the problem. Griffin tore his ACL against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2012 Wild Card game and since has been struggling to find his previous form, combining to throw for 4,897 yards in 22 games with 20 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. In that span, Griffin has been temporarily benched for Kirk Cousins and seen his first coach fired.
Last year, Griffin consistently provided juicy stories for the media with postgame comments, typically after defeats. First-year head coach Jay Gruden would then call out Griffin for his words, causing even more drama. This time around, Gruden is defending his embattled starter, per ESPN:
“I didn’t make a lot out of it, you guys did,” Gruden said. “All players want to strive to be the best, and that doesn’t change. DeSean Jackson said he was uncoverable. Whether he is or isn’t, that’s how he feels, and Robert has high goals for himself. I don’t fault anyone for having high goals. We don’t want anyone that strives to be average. The key thing is, he said he has to go out and prove it. We all have to go out and prove it.”
Frankly, Griffin needs to stay away from any type of statement in the media. While Griffin needs to feel he is the best, he also needs to understand how ridiculous that sounds at the moment. There is a legitimate argument to be made that Griffin is the worst starting quarterback in the NFC, something he needs to work to improve upon.
Few would question that Griffin has the talent to bring greatness to both himself and the Redskins. Still, there has been nothing but failure over the past two years. It is time to put up or shut up for the once-electrifying star who has fallen incredibly from grace.
