SPORTS INSIDER – HE’S BACK! RGIII, back next week against Eagles, after Redskins lose to the Giants

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RGiii close up - He's backCeci Ferrara
December 15, 2014
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

After getting benched three weeks ago, Robert Griffin III was once again front-and-center for the Washington Redskins’ Sunday afternoon.

He entered the game after the first series, where starter Colt McCoy was injured. With Kirk Cousins inactive for the game, Griffin took over. No one knew what to expect from the quarterback — whose relationship with Washington is fractured at best — who has been the target of media speculation and ridicule for weeks. Less than a month ago, the Sports Junkies radio Show buried Griffin’s Washington career on the air, coffin and all.

Despite the odds, Griffin performed well. He completed 18-of-27 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. He also used his legs, running five times for 46 yards. He even rushed for a TD right before the half, as he ran eight yards and dove over the pylon. But instead of a 17-7 lead, the call was reversed, with officials saying he lost the ball in the end-zone. Yet, it still gave fans — and potential teams — a glimpse of what he could do.

Even Skins coach Jay Gruden, who has been vocal about his displeasure with Griffin this season, gave him a positive, though not glowing, review.

“He played okay,” Gruden said. “He came out here and completed, which I liked. Made some good throws and made some great plays with his legs, but from a consistent standpoint, the production on third downs and the lack of production in the second half was concerning. I’ll have to check the film to give him a total grade.”

Griffin’s impressive performance highlighted the team’s other flaws, such as the ineffective offensive line and poor play-calling. It was the sixth straight game in which Washington allowed five or more sacks. But their defense only sacked Giants’ QB Eli Manning once, while allowing three touchdowns. On a day when Griffin showed progress, his team crumbled around him.

After scoring just three points in the second half, the Redskins lost their sixth straight game to fall to 3-11 on the season after this 13-24 loss to the Giants.

With two games left it’s unclear what the future holds for Griffin, Gruden, and the Redskins. It’s no secret that Washington owner Daniel Snyder is partial to Griffin; whether that affinity is enough to keep him as quarterback is less certain. If RGIII does stay in Washington, it’s obvious that a strong team will need to be built around him. The players they have right now just don’t cut it.

“It’s not been a fun year,” Griffin said. “We’ve had a lot of turmoil, a lot of things going on. At the end of the day, you suit up and when your number’s called, be ready to play.”

It appears as though Griffin will have another chance to suit up and prove himself next weekend against the Eagles.

SPOILER ALERT:  Gruden named Griffin as the starter on Monday afternoon.

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