Assuming the Colts don’t shock everyone and decide to take Robert Griffin III instead of Andrew Luck with the first overall pick in the draft next month, Griffin is going to wind up with the Redskins. It’s no secret that Washington traded with the Rams because they’re salivating over the Baylor product. The question now becomes whether or not Griffin is a fit with the Mike and Kyle Shanahan offense. Donovan McNabb, who had some experience with the system, doesn’t seem to think it will work.
When asked if he thought Griffin would be a goof fit for the Redskins on ESPN First Take, McNabb immediately said, “No.” He then said that Washington offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan brought his offense over from when he was with the Texans and tries to force the quarterback to adapt to the system.
“A lot of times ego gets too involved when it comes to being in Washington,” McNabb said according to Pro Football Talk. “Here’s a guy coming out who’s very talented, mobile, strong arm, we’ve already heard he’s intelligent, football mind. Are you going to cater the offense around his talent, and what he’s able to do, or are you going to bring the Houston offense with Matt Schaub over to him and have him kind of be embedded in that?”
At that point McNabb took aim at Mike Shanahan, rattling off a list of quarterbacks that have played under him and the lack of success they have had together.
“We had John Beck, who was 0-4,” McNabb said. “Rex Grossman: 6-11. Jay Cutler, who was his prize possession: 17-20. Jake Plummer, a guy who had success, led them to the AFC Championship against Pittsburgh, as we know, and then benched him the next year, because he wouldn’t do what he wanted him to do. Brian Griese, who was supposed to be the heir apparent to John Elway, hasn’t had a lot of success.”
Donovan didn’t stop there. He also that he was “absolutely misused” in Washington and that Mike Shanahan should end up on the hot seat if he can’t make a “splash like a Cam Newton splash” with RG3. Considering all the records Newton set in Carolina last season, that’s asking a lot. McNabb does have a point, however. The Shanahans are supposed to be offensive masterminds and they have overseen a constant quarterback carousel since taking over in the nation’s capital. McNabb’s opinion is an understandably biased one, but given what RG3 has shown the Shanahan’s shouldn’t need a ton of time to start winning with him.
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