Robert Griffin III has not played at a high level this season. Part of the reason for that is he suffered a serious ankle injury and is still working his way back to 100 percent. But has a lack of preparation contributed to RG3’s poor performance in three-plus games this year?
During an appearance on the Michael Kay Show this week, former NFL quarterback Steve Young said he has gotten some negative feedback from coaches who have worked with Griffin.
“I’ve talked to his previous coaches, people I really trust and admire, that know quarterbacks,” Young explained, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “He doesn’t put the time in.”
As Smith notes, one of those former coaches is probably Mike Shanahan, who was the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator for three years while Young was the starting quarterback. While Shanahan is obviously biased, it’s not like Jay Gruden sounded thrilled with RG3 in his press conference on Monday.
Young speculated that Griffin may be underestimating the amount of work he needs to be doing off the field since he is capable of making plays with his legs.
“Guys that can use their legs, it’s like they’re not desperate,” Young said. “Guys who can’t use their legs are more desperate so they’ll put more time in.”
As someone who was both a great scrambler and passer, Young speaks from experience.
RG3 is in just his third NFL season, but it may be his last with the Washington Redskins. While we don’t know if it’s a lack of work ethic that is holding him back, we do know that Gruden sounds fed up with him. If the Redskins have to choose between Gruden and Griffin next season, they’d probably stick with Gruden.
