Robert Griffin III has rode a roller coaster of coverage since entering the NFL. From winning Rookie of the Year and guiding the team to an NFC East division title to being benched (and heavily criticized) during each of the last two campaigns, the Washington quarterback is a lightning rod for hot takes and extreme opinions from fans and NFL analysts alike. Art Briles, Griffin's college coach at Baylor, believes the criticism is unwarranted.
Art Briles says Washington should build around RG3’s talents
The Baylor head coach believes Washington must cater to the talent of Robert Griffin.
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Briles appeared on ESPN’s First Take Thursday and criticized Washington’s handling of RG3, blaming much of the criticism on the team’s approach. The coach believes Washington has not tried to help Griffin with a system that suits him, instead forcing him to play a style he is not built for.
So, to me, you look at other organizations and franchises across the nation that have stuck with quarterbacks and saying ‘this is our guy,’ when maybe they haven’t won at the level Robert did win at, but they committed to that guy and said he’s going to take us there. And so what you do is structure the scheme around the person…that’s going to lead your franchise. You don’t always have him adapt to what you want to do; adapt to what his abilities are.”
There has been plenty of controversy surrounding Griffin the past two years, including this season when coach Jay Gruden publicly admonished him during a press conference. Gruden also benched Griffin when he was healthy, opting to go with Colt McCoy. Washington went 3-13 in 2013 and followed that up with a miserable 4-12 campaign. The point differentials have been the two worst for the team since the early 1960s.
Despite all that, Briles believes Griffin is still mentally strong and ready to help revive the franchise.
“I think the deal with Robert, I love where his attitude is right now,” Briles said. “His mind was as good yesterday -- and his spirit -- as I’ve seen it in two years. He’s not a broken man. You can get broken at that position. He’s not that way.”
Washington hired a new general manager in Scot McCloughan Wednesday, and quarterback will be the primary question facing McCloughan in his new job. The entire depth chart presents questions since Colt McCoy is a free agent and Kirk Cousins has made it clear he wants to be traded if he isn't starting.
Last year, Griffin played in only nine games and struggled to move the chains for Washington. He finished with four touchdowns and six interceptions. However, Griffin did post a career-high in completion percentage at 68.7, up from 60.1 in 2013. Griffin’s primary problem has been staying healthy, missing games in all three of his NFL seasons.
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