Today is Thanksgiving. While Robert Griffin III's week may not have bene the best, it eventually could be something he will feel very thankful for.
Things were riding high for the Washington Redskins quarterback during his rookie season. Griffin was spectacular, leading the 'Skins to a 10-6 record while winning Rookie of the Year honors. Things soon hit a turn for the worst when a horrific knee injury occurred during a playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.
The next season, RG3 looked like a shell of his former self. His passer rating significantly dropped, he had more turnovers and he just wasn't as elusive as he looked like the year prior. It all led to drama within the Redskins organization.
Griffin ended up being benched for the final three games of the season. He was getting banged up all season. It was obviously the right decision, but the season in a whole was an ugly one for the young QB.
Most QBs usually endure what everyone calls the "sophomore slump" in their second year. It was understandable for RG3, and it was not too much of a biggie. His numbers weren't that bad.
His third season was going to be important though, because that's when the high level of play is expected to rise. However, the next year things got worse.
As we all know this season, Griffin had a terrible ankle injury come to him during Week 2. While he was out, many pundits expected this was Kirk Cousins' chance to finally show what he was made of.
Of course, Cousins showed absolutely nothing. Cousins looked like Geno Smith, throwing interceptions left and right. Eventually, Colt McCoy became the hero when filling in for him, and he led the Redskins to an insane victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
As RG3 soon came close to returning, fans were anticipating something special after enduring ugly campaigns from Cousins and an above-average performance from McCoy.
This was Griffin's chance to finally make good of what all has gone wrong these past two seasons. However, just when you thought 2013 and so far of 2014 was bad, it actually got worse.
Griffin struggled in his return, and now he'll be benched in favor of McCoy for this Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. RG3 has officially hit rock bottom.
It's unlikely he will start ever again this season. After this year is over, it's unlikely that he will even return to the franchise for 2015. Head coach Jay Gruden has officially won over the front office and Dan Snyder, and it appears Washington is moving on from the RG3 era.
All those draft picks used to get him are wasted.
All week, we're talking about where RG3 is going to be next year. Will the Redskins trade him? Will they just flat out cut him?
Whatever it is, it's very probable that Griffin will be wearing a different uniform next season. And it looks bad compared to his peers like Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick and others—all who are still with their respective teams and playing relatively well.
Yep, RG3 is definitely on that rock-bottom status.
And you know what?
It might be the best thing to happen to him.
It's been said all season that RG3's work ethic has been in question. Hall of Fame San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young has said frequently that it doesn't seem like Griffin is putting the work in like other QBs do. It's as if Griffin is relying too much on his talent.
Well, these past two years have said enough. His numbers aren't atrocious, but it hasn't translated as well on the field. Just doing an eye test can show enough.
With that said, what's next for RG3?
There are several teams he could be traded to. So many come to mind, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans—heck, maybe even the Dallas Cowboys or St. Louis Rams.
It's definite that the Eagles would be the best fit for him. Chip Kelly has made every quarterback look good so far in his tenure with Philly so far. Michael Vick was doing good before he dealt with injuries. Nick Foles was legendary last year. Mark Sanchez has been pretty solid.
Who's to say Griffin can't excel with that offense?
The Raiders could make sense, but only if the right coach is there. Otherwise, it will be a disaster. Griffin could also return to Texas and play for Houston. Bill O'Brien works well with QBs, and the Texans have a nice foundation for RG3 to play on.
The Cowboys? I don't know. Griffin would essentially have to back up Tony Romo for a few years. and I'm not sure if he's willing to stoop that low being that he is former a No. 2 overall draft pick.
How about the Rams? It would be funny to see that, since they essentially got all of the Redskins' draft picks in order for them to even draft RG3 back in 2012. Dan Snyder's ego is too big to allow that to happen, though.
https://twitter.com/FootBasketcom/status/537462542189072384
Whatever it is, I highly doubt he stays with the Redskins. It's as if the Redskins coaching staff themselves never wanted him in the first place. The drafting of RG3 was solely Snyder's idea.
Mike Shanahan never gelled well with Griffin. It showed tremendously during the 2013 season. So far, it's been the same with Gruden.
Both coaches favored the other quarterbacks who are more of the pocket-passer type, such as Shanahan with Cousins or when Gruden preferred Andy Dalton over Colin Kaepernick when he was the offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Griffin needs the right system. The fit for him this year and last season weren't great, however I feel people overrate his flaws a bit too much.
Look at his stats for his career so far:
https://twitter.com/FootBasketcom/status/537465239508238336
Taking a look at that, Griffin hasn't been that bad. Sure, they're not on par with his legendary rookie season, but his two seasons after that aren't terrible. In 2013, he still had a relatively good completion percentage and yards per completion, as well as average-to-above-average QB rating.
How about this year? The two touchdowns and three picks aren't standing well, but his completion percentage is at a career-high. RG3 has completely nearly 70 percent of his passes! That's impressive. The yards per completion are solid, too. Add in that 85.7 rating, he's been solid.
But it isn't good enough for this system.
But honestly, how do you expect Griffin to exceed when this is happening to him constantly:
https://vine.co/v/O1hYmE1ngBr
Griffin needs the right team. The Redskins aren't it.
But I think I can safely say this: wherever he goes in 2015, he should be in a better situation than where he was in Washington.
But Griffin will have to put in the work himself as well. He'll need to work more on being a better pocket passer. Steve Young said it himself, and he had the same type of skill set as RG3.
Based off how he just got benched for Colt McCoy of all people, that alone should give him tons of motivation and the will to prove everyone wrong. As Gruden said it himself, it should fuel a fire in his belly. Instead, the fire will be towards the Redskins, not for them in 2015.
I'm not saying RG3 will pull a Drew Brees on whatever new team he will be on, but he has the chance to be a very solid starting quarterback if the situation is right. There will be several teams willing to take the chance and invest into him.
No matter what though, it will come down to RG3 himself and what he makes of it.
