The Washington Redskins are hoping to take a step back toward the playoffs with quarterback Robert Griffin III, much the way they did two seasons ago when RG3 arrived in town. The team knows that if they’re going to help Griffin return to the success of his rookie year, they need to bring back that comfort level he had at first. At least part of that in 2014 will come in the form of trust from his coaches.
ESPN’s John Keim writes that Washington’s offensive coordinator Sean McVay is impressed by Griffin’s approach to this offseason, both physically and mentally, which makes trusting the third-year quarterback that much easier.
“He’s done an excellent job translating his knowledge in the meeting room onto the field, recognizing some of those looks. Some of the audible situations we’ll give him the opportunity to call things at the line. He’s shown he’s fully capable of doing it and that’s what gives him a great chance to have success this year.”
Keim later notes that Griffin had not been allowed to call audibles in his first two seasons in Washington. If anything, such a restriction could very well get in the head of a young quarterback like Griffin and affect a young man’s confidence. Now at least there are some small measures Griffin can take if he doesn’t like the look of a defense at the start of a play call.
With knee surgery well behind him and a new, friendlier system in place, don’t be surprised if RGIII returns to the 2012 form that made him such a star in the NFL.
