Role Reversal

Will the Real RGIII Please Stand Up?

By Max Berger

 

Jonathan Newton, The Washington Post

Expectations were sky high in the nation’s capital after the Washington Redskins finished the 2012 season with a 10-6 and won the NFC East. Led by last year’s Rookie of the Year winner, Robert Griffin III, and head coach Mike Shanahan, in his third season with the team, the ‘Skins surprised everyone and made the playoffs for the first time since

2007.

With a whole season under RGIII’s belt and an offseason to build off of last year’s success, they were one of the popular picks to repeat as division winners this season; however, it’s code red in the oval office of Shanahan as RGIII and his squad have limped their way to a 3-7 record and are currently fourth place in the division.

Why?

Last year Washington was fifth in the NFL in total offense, ranking fourth in points and first in rushing due to the dynamic duo of Griffin and fellow rookie Alfred Morris. This year? Different story…the Redskins ranks 15th in points per game. Even though they are still third in the league in rushing yards, the most glaring drop off in the numbers is from the aforementioned quarterback RGIII.

2012: 65.6% completion percentage (third), 3200 yards (20th), 20 TD passes (t-19th), 102.4 passer rating (third)

2013 (through week 11): 59.7% completion percentage (21st), 2714 yards (eighth), 14 TD passes (t-12th), 86.3% passer rating (18th)

Although he is on pace to surpass the previous season’s passing yardage and touchdowns totals, his regression in completion percentage and QB rating are telling signs that he has been a less-efficient quarterback in 2013. 

After suffering a torn ACL in the Wild Card round of playoffs last year when the ‘Skins fell to the Seahawks, Griffin has not been the same player after this injury. He is a very-skilled passer, especially on his deep balls, but for a quarterback who relies heavily on his mobility to keep plays alive and plants his leg hard to drive the ball down the field, a significant injury like the one he suffered last season seriously compromises his style of play. It still remains to be seen whether or not RGII can regain his confidence and return to his rookie-year form.  

The Redskins struggles on offense have contributed to the team’s poor performance, but their defense, or lack thereof, has been an equally big concern. Even in last season’s division-winning campaign, the defense wasn’t among the league’s best, allowing the fifth most yards and 11th most points in the NFL, but this season it has been worse.

Now, Washington’s Department of Defense has allowed the third-most points in the league, which is surprising considering that former Pro Bowl linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan rejoined the unit this season after both missed significant time with injury in 2012.

The return of these two studs on defense, coupled with one of last season’s best offenses in the league, was reason for people to believe in the future of the Redskins; however, both sides of the ball have taken a step back and this doesn’t look like a temporary problem or easy fix.

I believe there is more hope for the defense to improve than the offense because after his injury, RGIII will never be the same player he was in his inaugural season in maroon and gold. This may sound dramatic, but a mobile quarterback with a taxing style of play who suffered a serious injury early in his career is both more susceptible to future injuries and less likely to have a sustainable, successful career for years to come.

Which season is the fluke: 2012’s playoff team or 2013’s fourth-place team?

The next chapter in this story is yet to be completed, but don’t be surprised to see some serious changes in D.C. if the beloved Redskins fail to turn around their season.