NFL Washington Redskins

Colt McCoy Should Have Been Washington Redskins’ Starting QB Since October

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By @AnthonyBeers

Robert Griffin III

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The last time the Washington Redskins won a football game was when Colt McCoy was under center in his home state of Texas. McCoy helped the Redskins defeat the Dallas Cowboys on national television in what was his first start in three seasons as a quarterback.

Three additional defeats later for the Redskins, all under the regime of Robert Griffin III, and McCoy is being re-summoned. In hindsight, McCoy should have been the starter following the thrilling win in Dallas. But the politics between head coach Jay Gruden and owner Dan Snyder proved to be too complex to make that switch.

The Washington Post revealed that there was a discrepancy between Gruden and Snyder over whether or not Griffin could return to his 2012 form. As a rookie in that season, Griffin took the NFC East by storm, assisting in a 10-6 record and showcasing tremendous athletic ability. No one could blame Redskins general manager Bruce Allen for picking Griffin No. 2 overall in the draft, but his stubbornness along with Snyder ultimately ruined any potential for the Redskins winning football games as of late.

It’s likely that the 28-year-old McCoy isn’t the secret weapon that the Redskins need to turn the ship around, but there is no question he is the team’s best option at quarterback. His size has limited his potential for NFL prosperity as a starter, especially when he was in Cleveland, but his speed makes him a challenge for defenses to contain in the pocket. He extends plays and can make things happen, as he exhibited against the Cowboys.

Hopefully McCoy can show that he’s capable of playing in the NFL, but the bigger issue in Washington is the lack of power provided to Gruden as head coach. The Redskins actually had to sacrifice wins for the sake of Gruden proving to Snyder and Allen that Griffin simply isn’t capable of what he used to do on the field. It is unfortunate; reoccurring knee injuries plagued what could have been a thrilling career for the young Griffin.

Now things will rapidly change. Griffin likely will not be a Redskin next season and will be begging for an environment in which he can prove his worth. The Redskins will restart the rebuilding process and likely look for a quarterback in the offseason. Whether it be through draft or trade remains to be seen.

The politics of power exemplified by the Redskins represents a flaw in the business aspect of sports. If owners meddle with employees and limit them from doing their jobs, the lack of certainty alters the confidence of the team. It’s a consistent trend for teams that struggle for a long time.

Redskins fans thought they saw the light when Griffin came to Washington in 2012. He was an exciting, hardworking and respectful player. To say his entire career is done is a bit premature, but it has certainly taken a different direction. From a positive point of view, at least McCoy is getting the job he deserves as starting quarterback. He will be tested heavily against a talented team in the Indianapolis Colts.

In the future fans can only hope that players like Griffin and McCoy are treated the way they deserve to be in the proper environment. All players deserve a coach who is allowed to make major decisions. And all fans deserve a franchise that has coaches, managers and owners alike all on the same page. This was not true in this instance with the Redskins, and it revealed one major fact: McCoy should have been starting for the Redskins since October.

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