5 Reasons Washington Redskins Should Play Robert Griffin III Week 1


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5 Reasons Robert Griffin III Should Play Week 1

Griffin
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

It is now late in August of 2013, and the preseason is about to close for the Washington Redskins. Make way for the 2013 NFL regular season and be prepared to watch superstar second-year quarterback Robert Griffin III lead his team to victory.

Griffin comes into his second year as a professional about as hyped as can be. With the Redskins trading away three first round draft picks for the acquisition of Griffin, all eyes were watching him to see if he was worth it. After a division title in 2012, perhaps the proof is already evident.

Well, Griffin will wait until Thursday to get approval from Dr. James Andrews to find out whether he can play or not, but for now all signs point to his imminent return for Week 1. All fans, players and coaches will be watching, hoping Griffin will resume just where he left off last year, minus the injury of course.

Redskins right guard Chris Chester stated, ” Its great news. I’m really excited about it.” He further states that he is excited to pick up the high caliber of play that the Redskins left off on at the end of the 2012 season.

So everyone needs to sit back and watch Griffin play in 2013. He will continue his dominance from the 2012 NFL season. Dr. Andrews and Shanahan will have faith in his athletic abilities but also in the fact that he will play it smart and safe in an attempt to stay healthy.

Thomas is a Sports Writer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmford88, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google

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5. Kirk Cousins is Also Injured

Kirk
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan has a backup plan in case Griffin gets re-injured. That plain includes second-year pro QB Kirk Cousins, who is probably talented enough to be a starter anyway.

However, Cousins went down with a sprained right foot after playing almost a half versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Redskins’ second preseason game. He eventually was walking around the sideline but scared fans when he left the locker room in a walking boot and on crutches.

Please, don't ask fans to believe in third-string QB Rex Grossman. Washington fans already tried that, and it didn't work.

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4. Redskins Learned Their Lesson

Lesson
Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Although Redskins fans are impatiently waiting to see Griffin play, they need to acknowledge that Shanahan knows what he is doing. It may seem that last season he made the wrong decision to leave Griffin in when he was already injured, but Shanahan had all sorts of pressure barreling down his neck. He was expected to lead the Redskins to greatness, and he tried. But at what cost?

Griffin is the future of the Redskins’ franchise, and no one season is more important than his career. This is a lesson Shanahan has learned. Fans saw that Griffin did not take any hits in the preseason. The reason he has not played is to make sure he is ready for the regular season. Well, the regular season is almost here. Griffin is healthy. Let him play.

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3. Griffin Is One of the League's Best Passing Quarterbacks

Pas
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Griffin set the rookie QB passer rating record at 102.4, third overall in the 2012 NFL season, and the rookie record for percentage of passes intercepted at 1.3 percent. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and also placed at No. 15 in NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.

That places Griffin in the same caliber as big names like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Is Cousins up there? We know Grossman isn't.

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2. Griffin Is One of the League's Best Running Quarterbacks

Running
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Griffin rushed the ball 120 times for 815 yards in 2012 for an average of 6.8 yards per attempt and 54.3 yards a game. He scored seven rushing touchdowns and acquired 40 first downs on the rush. Overall, Griffin sat at No. 20 among all players in rushing yards for the 2012 season. That means by his rushing stats alone he would be a top 20 fantasy rusher, and he is a quarterback!

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1. Intimidation Factor

Factor
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Let's be honest here. You are a rookie safety for an opposing team and you are facing the Redskins. Who's gonna give you more of a scare, Griffin or Cousins? That's right. Griffin brings a factor of intimidation to other teams. As one of the league's best passers and rushers, defenses will have their hands full trying to figure out how to stop him.



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