Time-mapping Redskins QB Robert Griffin III’s most unfortunate events

Rookie Year (Or Earlier)

Jan. 6, 2010: Mike Shanahan inked for five years

Sometimes moments in the distant past are harbingers for future problems. As it turned out, owner Dan Synder, Shanahan and RG3 would eventually become a powerless triumvirate. In hindsight, Shanahan’s hiring was a brutal blow to RG3’s career.

April 26, 2012: Selected second

If RG3 listened to Ricky Bobby’s motto, “if you’re not first you’re last,” then he’d be in last place. He’d be as good as Mr. Irrelevant. But even Ricky Bobby doesn’t listen to Ricky Bobby, so let’s not kid ourselves, second-overall is a great place to get drafted. It’s just tough when first-overall was someone at your position. It’s tougher when that player is Andrew Luck. And thus, comparisons were born between RG3 and Andrew Luck. Those comparisons have since died significantly. Their battle for Rookie of the Year created good fodder. Ever since, however, Luck has been on an upward keel and RG3 a downward one. I bet RG3 would give his Rookie of the Year award to have the success Luck is having.

The pressure that started on that draft day was three fold. First, RG3’s biggest pressure cames from how many assets the Redskins gave up to acquire the second-overall pick. Second, Luck was picked ahead of him. Third, Kirk Cousins was picked behind him. Pressure above, pressure below. Pressure everywhere.

Dec. 9, 2012: MCL Sprain

The RG3 armor cracked for the first time in week 14 of his rookie season. He was lighting up the league. He even played well following the strain, but it seemed something was wrong. He was a little less confident about his mobility. It was the first game from which he was removed, and the first time he injured his knee in the NFL. He had an isolated tear to his ACL back in 2009, but this MCL seems to be a bookmark on one end of this list of physical problems.

Dec. 9, 2012: Kirk Cousins wins in OT

As RG3 goes down, Cousins goes up. He threw 2-of-2 for a 26 yards and a touchdown while he rallied the Skins to a 31-28 overtime win over the Ravens. It wasn’t exactly the emergence of Cousins – he only threw two passes. Still, he threw only completions and helped the Redskins win a thriller. RG3 was probably excited at the time, but looking back, Cousin’s success just meant great uncertainty for the Skins former first round pick.

Jan. 8 2013: Sayonara ACL, MCL integrity

As RG3 ran to recover a fumbled snap, his knee buckled and collapsed. The result was an ACL and MCL tear. This is, far and away, the lowest moment of RG3’s career. It’s still unclear whether he has fully recovered mentally from this injury.