Marcus from College Park (Twitter: @MarcusSports1)
*This is the a fan submission by Marcus in College Park, Md., a dedicated 106.7 the Fan listener (Washington, D.C.) and avid Washington Redskins fan. Find him on Twitter @MarcusSports1.*
The Shanahans, both Mike and Kyle, are making it abundantly clear that it’s their own hides and not the health or development of their enormously talented, but still raw, Rookie Quarterback, Robert Griffin III. Son Shanahan, Kyle, is implementing a college style option offense that risks both the mental and bodily-well being of a fine yong man, athlete and football player. All of this takes place with the defacto approval of his megalomaniac father, who happens to have total control of Wahington’s Football Operations.
Why the risk to this upstanding Heisman Trophy Winner? It’s obvious; to save their own reputation’s and job’s. “Sacrifice RG3 at the alter of excitement without substance or wins” is the this coaching staff’s mantra. Running the Quarterback in the college option offense is more likely to run him into the ground, instead of into the ranks of NFL elite. The time used in assembling a play book of these “Spread Offense” plays would be more wisely spent coaching the intricacies of NFL pocket passing. That is, if it’s the future health of the Redskins they actually covet.
One only has to look a mere 30 miles north to Baltimore, where Joe Flacco, who is as immobile as a statue, racking up an amazing 46 wins in 67 starts in only the beginning of his fifth season. Baltimore’s General Manager, Ozzie Newsome, will tell anyone, bone jarring defense, dependable rushing attack, steady quarterbacking and reliable special teams wins a lot of games. College football strategies are not part of a successful NFL wining equations nor should they be, if you want to win and win often. There is reason the option has never worked in the NFL; the guys on the other side of the ball are to big and fast.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated
So why do the Shanahans do it? Simply put, it’s dyed in the wool selfishness and hubris. They would put their own job insecurities and narcissism above RG3’s future in the league. Further, by paying such a high price for their new superstar, the club doesn’t have a first round draft choice until 2015. With their poor offensive line, lack of weapons on offense, suspect defensive backs and the injury history of some of their more prominent players (Brian Orakpo), retooling this roster with blue chip draft choices is now more unlikely for the next couple seasons. Right or wrong the team must also deal with another off-season without $18 million in cap space, making a recipe for disaster if (and more likely when) RG3 suffers a serious injury. The worst case scenario would set any franchise back another decade by taking such a leap of faith on a rookie Quarterback alone, their system could make things much worse in D.C.
But hey, the Shanahans are due to collect over $35 million, while running the circus for Daniel Snyder. So who cares what the long suffering fans of the burgundy and gold want long term? It won’t be the Shanahan’s problem when they cash out with their million’s. All that matters right now in Ashburn is the Shanahan’s narrow self interest’s, not that of the fans and sadly, the long term career and health of RG3.
