redskins win robert griffin III sweepstakes

(photo by Tony Gutierrez)

As you’ve no doubt heard by now, the Washington Redskins did the unthinkable — trading away anything and everything to the St. Louis Rams for the chance to land the most electrifying player in this year’s draft.

Rather than settling for lesser talent like Kyle Orton, Ryan Tannehill or whatever other lackluster options were out there, the Redskins parted ways with first-rounders in 2012, 2013 and 2014, as well as a second-rounder in 2012 for the chance to draft Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III and they aren’t looking back.

Anyone who heard my appearance on the LaVar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes last Thursday obviously knows my stance on the subject. For those who missed it, here’s how I ended the segment:

“You can’t win the division, let alone be a contender in the NFC East without solidifying the quarterback position. With that in mind, can you really skimp or settle or talk yourself into Orton or Tannehill because you didn’t want to pay the price for the one guy who looks like a legitimate franchise quarterback? I don’t think this is the time to play it safe and sit on your cards. I think this is the time to put your chips in the middle and go all in.”

Clearly, the current regime heard my take and it was enough to convince them to make one of the boldest moves in franchise history. (Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.)

While nearly everyone I’ve heard from since the trade went down has been ecstatic, there are a few skeptical fans out there who aren’t thrilled with the move. Just last week I wrote something tackling the most common arguments against trading for Griffin, but there’s a new stance that I can’t say I ever saw coming.

These disgruntled fans are attempting to make the single dumbest argument I’ve ever heard. It goes something like this:

“The Redskins won three Super Bowls without ever having a true franchise quarterback, so why on earth would they give up so much for any quarterback? Why not stick to the ‘Redskins way’ and build up the offensive line and receiver positions instead?”

While the answer should be self explanatory to anyone paying attention, I’ll go ahead and tackle it anyway.

Simply put, the ‘Redskins way’ doesn’t work anymore. It hasn’t in 20 years. Hell, even Joe Gibbs couldn’t win in today’s NFL trying to play Joe Gibbs football and he’s the reason those three Lombardi Trophies are on display at Redskins Park.

In case you forgot, the Redskins have gone just 136-183-1 since winning their last Super Bowl back in 1991.

During that span, 21 different quarterbacks* started at least one game for Washington (and lets not forget the nine coaching changes, countless offensive coordinators, etc.)

*Since some of you are a glutton for punishment, here’s the laundry list of mediocre quarterbacks ‘Skins fans have had to suffer through since the glory days officially ended: Mark Rypien, Rich Gannon, Cary Conklin, Heath Shuler, John Friesz, Gus Frerotte, Jeff Hostetler, Trent Green, Brad Johnson, Jeff George, Tony Banks, Danny Wuerffel, Patrick Ramsey, Shane Matthews, Tim Hasslebeck, Mark Brunell, Todd Collins, Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman and John Beck.

During the two decades of futility, the franchise has tried high-priced free agents as well as bargain-basement additions. They’ve traded for experienced veterans and used first-round draft picks in hopes of finding “Mister Right.” But at the end of the day, all the Redskins have to show for it is five winning seasons in 20 years.

Think about that for a second: the Redskins have finished a season with a winning record just five times since ’92. And they’ve made it to the playoffs just four times and have just three postseason wins during the same timeframe.*

*For those wondering, the three quarterbacks who earned a playoff win for Washington over the last two decades are Rypien in ’92, Frerotte Johnson in ’99 and Brunell in ’05. And yes, I’m as amazed as you are that they still don’t have a wing dedicated to them in Canton.

Conversely, the Redskins have finished with double digit losses in 10 of the last 20 seasons while winning the NFC East just once (1999). If that’s not bad enough, they’ve finished in last place in five of the last six seasons.

Anyone still think the ‘Redskins way’ is the best method to build a franchise? I mean, honestly, what’s the worst that happens if Griffin does become a bust — the team continues to stink? The worst possible outcome is he doesn’t pan out and the team remains as bad as they are now. If he’s actually half as good as advertised, the burgundy and gold are set at quarterback for the next decade.

The Redskins haven’t been anything close to an elite franchise for 20 years. At least this way they’re more enjoyable than suffering through another minute of Grossman or Beck behind center. The Redskins have never had a player as dynamic and/or exciting as RGIII. They’ve never had a player at the game’s most important position who can do what Griffin does.

Forget the Heisman Trophy. He was the most exciting player in college football last season and single-handedly made Baylor relevant on a national level. Considering what Waco, Texas used to be known for before Griffin’s arrival, I’d say this kid is pretty special.

That’s why it was time for the front office to do something drastic. That’s why head coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen were willing to part ways with so many high draft picks for the chance to land a top-tier talent like Griffin.

Shanahan is heading into his third season in Washington having gone just 11-21 and clearly felt like it was no longer time to play it safe and/or ignore the quarterback position while trying to upgrade other areas of need.

Go ask a Dallas fan who has actually been to Texas (not easy to find, I admit) how “excited” they are about having their favorite team face Griffin twice a year. If they’re anything like my buddies from the Lone Star State, they still haven’t fully recovered from RGIII’s beatdown of the University of Texas last season.

Sure, some doubters will say the team’s latest move ensures the Redskins once again take home the title of “offseason champs.” But the way I see it, if Griffin is half as good in the pros as he was in college, this will be their last offseason championship for a long, long time.

[And finally, for those who are interested, we’ve got a brand new t-shirt for sale honoring the new face of the franchise.]

7 comments

  1. David Alison
    March 11, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    Sorry Murf, Brad Johnson (not Gus Frerotte) led the Skins to a playoff win in 99. Ironically he help the Skins beat a Gus Frerotte led Lions team.

  2. b murf
    March 11, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Frerotte was actually the quarterback for Detroit in the ’99 playoff win. I meant Johnson, but typed Frerotte. Thanks for the assist.

  3. ABNChemo
    March 11, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    Any thoughts on how you will feel if Indy drafts RGIII and you are left with Luck? Not sure your premise of the most exciting QB would still apply. Stranger things have happened. Now who do I need to call in Indy to get this to happen??????

  4. Jimmy Milstead
    March 12, 2012 at 12:59 am

    Yeah Murf ! Im pretty hyped up reading this ! Is there a Luck shirt on standby if Indy pulled a fast one ? I highly doubt they would though. Ready for the RG III era !!! Hail to the Redskins !!!

  5. ExKiwi Krol
    March 12, 2012 at 7:01 am

    The new shirt looks like a Risk ™ piece. And probably because that is what the Redskins needed to do, to get better.

  6. James
    March 12, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    I think Andrew Luck fits within the Shanny-system just as well as RGIII does. So, if Indy does take RGIII, I don’t think the Redskins will blink a bit.

    Luck is an Aaron Rodgers level athlete and has the mobility to do really well in the roll out packages of the Shanahans offense.

    And while Luck isn’t as outgoing a personality, I doubt that matters all that much.

    Also, it may not be the Colts passing on Luck. Andrew Luck could tell the Colts that he won’t sign with them ala Eli and Elway given how the Colts have gutted the team recently. He may want no part in playing for an expansion-esque team that the Colts are right now.

    As far as the trade goes, franchise QBs in the NFL are priceless. Would the Packers have dealt Rodgers to the Redskins for 3 1sts & a 2nd? Of course not. Would any team with a Pro Bowl/Super Bowl winning QB have traded their QB for the picks outside of maybe the Saints or the Patriots in a couple of years? I doubt it.

    As long as RGIII (or Luck) turns into a Pro Bowl/Super Bowl winner with the Redskins, the trade will be worth it.

  7. Bowlregard
    March 12, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    The Redskins should use this shade of gold we see in the Baylor uniforms. Match that with the burgandy.

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