A quarterback like Robert Griffin III can make a coach like Mike Shanahan feel young again. You could see it in Shanahan's eyes Sunday as he talked about the new face of the Washington Redskins franchise. You could hear it in his voice, too. You might even describe him as giddy (to the extent that any going-on-60 coach can be that).
No sense fooling around with a talent like Robert Griffin III. Barely a week after the draft, the Washington Redskins are already proclaiming the Heisman Trophy winner their No. 1 quarterback.
More than a dozen camera shutters click-clacked on the sideline Sunday as Robert Griffin III practiced taking snaps from center at the Washington Redskins' rookie minicamp. Coach Mike Shanahan watched from the opposite sideline. He has his franchise quarterback. Now he must figure out how to use him.
Now that he's gotten his first intoxicating whiff of Washington — and the idolatry that goes with being the Redskins' quarterback — I have a few things to say to Robert Griffin III. That is, if my voice can be heard beyond the wall of handlers that surround him like so many offensive linemen.
Apparently, the Washington Redskins' brain trust still is suffering side effects from last year's painful experiment, when it tried to swallow a dose of Rex Grossman and John Beck at quarterback for a full season.
Robert Griffin III's career ultimately will determine whether the Washington Redskins' 2012 draft was a success. They traded three first-rounders and a second-round pick for the chance to draft him, so the grade is heavily weighted on his performance.
The Redskins orchestrated a quarterback makeover during draft weekend, adding Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins while releasing veteran John Beck. Washington was expected to take Griffin, but selecting another quarterback in the fourth round startled some, including the pick himself.
The Redskins surprised no one by taking Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick. But selecting another quarterback in the fourth round startled some, including the pick himself.
With dreadlocks covering part of his face, Robert Griffin III couldn't keep his Redskins' cap on straight. Trent Richardson's Browns' hat sat all the way back on his head, tilting precariously over hair dangling below his shoulders.
