Well, quite a bit has happened since last week. Big blowout victory, another unfortunate injury for Robert Griffin III, comings and goings at safety . . . We’ve got plenty to tackle in this week’s mailbag, so let’s go. Thanks as always for taking part, and keep the questions coming. As always, e-mail them to me at mike.jones@washpost with the subject line, “Mailbag question.” What now is the worst-case and best-case scenario for RGIII? And, depending on how Cousins performs the rest of the way, what are the chances that we keep both QBs next season? There is sure to be a debate at quarterback in the front office now, if there wasn’t already some before. There just isn’t much room for both QBs on the team without the drama. Either way, this current situation [stinks] to high heaven! – Olufemi Adepoju The best-case scenario is that in about four to five weeks, he has the cast removed, the ankle is sound, he begins rehab and four weeks later returns to practice and eventually reclaims his job and plays well. Worst-case: He begins his rehabilitation, has a setback and has to be placed on injured reserve. I don’t know that the Redskins can part with Cousins in the coming offseason, especially given Griffin’s continued injury history. Both quarterbacks are under contract for next season, but officials have a decision to make because this coming offseason, they could pick up the option for a fifth season on Griffin’s rookie contract. If he hasn’t proven that he is healthy, that he has the ability to stay healthy, or that he can play at a high level in this offense, would they really want to invest more money in him? If Cousins plays well, do you really want the team shipping him elsewhere? If Cousins shines and if Griffin is healthy but looks just so-so during the offseason practices, the 2015 training camp could feature a legitimate quarterback competition. Jay Gruden wants to win, and he will go with the player that gives him the best chance to do so. Now, if Cousins struggles mightily, the Redskins’ best option is either Griffin, or to make an offseason move to bring in another player to compete. Is the turf problem at the Washington football team’s venue at all a contributing factor in Robert G.’s injury? It certainly was when he blew out his knee in 2012. – Bob Neuman, Chevy Chase The playing surface definitely had an impact on Griffin’s knee injury, but not this time. Crazy that he hurt himself on yet another roll-out play, near the same area of the field. But this time, the grass was in good shape. I was down on the field before the game and it looked good. Jay Gruden and Griffin both said they didn’t think the grass was to blame. Griffin’s ankle actually got turned when linebacker Paul Posluszny got a hand on that left foot. Griffin slipped out of the tackle attempt, but his foot came down at an awkward angle, and then came the dislocation. If RGIII were an unrestricted free agent tomorrow, how many teams would think hard about signing him? In other words, how many NFL teams think he could have still have a productive future? What about Kirk Cousins? For the record, I like RGIII. But I am concerned that this might not work out. – John Lemons Well, if it were tomorrow, he might not get picked up because he’s not healthy. But plenty of people around the league do still believe that Griffin can still have a bright future, provided he stays healthy. If he were a free agent this offseason, having just recovered from a second major surgery in three seasons, he wouldn’t likely get a blockbuster deal, but he wouldn’t be sitting on the streets. His skill set is far too rare. He did in 2012 have the finest statistical season by a rookie quarterback in the history of the league. Last season has to be thrown out the window basically, because that whole situation was mishandled and he wasn’t healthy. I believe we would have seen gradual strides this season. Even privately, Redskins officials believe that despite the struggles that we’ve all seen, Griffin does have the capability to develop into a talented, winning quarterback. The question is will his body allow him to do so? The book is not closed on Griffin yet. A dislocated ankle is not impossible to come back from. Darren Sproles fractured and dislocated his ankle in 2006 and missed the entire year, but as we all know, his speed and elusiveness are just fine. Griffin’s development will definitely take a hit. The progress he was gaining from the offseason, to training camp, to preseason to now suddenly stops, and he’ll have to start all over again. It’s hard to predict just how things will play out. Kirk Cousins has shown that he has a lot of talent. He in the past has shown a tendency to turn the ball over as well. He has much to prove also. As far as the outside opinion of him, only the Cleveland Browns offered a draft pick (a fourth-rounder) to Washington for Cousins this past offseason. But now Cousins has a chance to prove that the Redskins were right about him, and that the other 31 teams in the league were wrong when they elected not to draft him. (Editor’s note: John, Mark Maske talked to folks around the NFL to gauge Griffin’s value for a story.) 1. Will they bring back Rex [Grossman], since he was cut by Cleveland, to be a third option QB with RGIII out? 2. Any news on the cut running backs, Royster or Seastrunk? Have they made another team’s practice squad? 3. With Hankerson’s time on the PUP list dwindling, is Santana Moss’s tenure on the skins coming to an end (especially with the healthy scratches on game days)? – Eric Foor, Reston Jay Gruden said that there was a chance the Redskins would bring in a third quarterback, but that the decision hadn’t been made. Grossman would have some carry-over, although there are some differences in the passing attack. As of this morning, the Redskins hadn’t yet engaged in talks with Grossman’s camp. That doesn’t mean something can’t change. Unfortunately for Evan Royster and Lache Seastrunk, both remain out of work. Seastrunk had a tryout with Green Bay, but didn’t sign. Royster told me this morning that he hasn’t yet had any tryouts, but he remains hopeful and continues to work to stay ready for his next opportunity. As far as Moss, it’s very possible that he is the odd man out once Hankerson returns. Coaches value Moss’s leadership and experience, but he hasn’t gotten the chance to help on game days. The injury to DeSean Jackson could open the door for Moss to dress, but Ryan Grant had an impressive showing on Sunday, and appeared to overtake Aldrick Robinson. Grant played 37 offensive snaps and two on special teams. Robinson played nine offensive snaps and three on special teams. If Hankerson comes back looking good, and Grant continues to play well, you never know, this decision could come down to Robinson vs. Moss. And, if Bruce Allen makes a decision based on what Moss has meant to the franchise, maybe he keeps Moss. However, knowing Santana, although he’s never going to cause dissention, he’d much rather play instead of ride the inactive list. The right side of the Redskins’ O-line is often scrutinized by many fans. What are your thoughts about that side of the line and do you think there will be any changes at any point this season (like LeRibeus for Chester)? – Jay Rotell Josh LeRibeus, who on Sunday saw his first game action since Jan. 5, 2013, is better suited for the left guard position. He has to be able to play both as the one backup guard, but I don’t think he’s poised to overtake Chester. If Chester’s play got to the point where coaches felt like he was no longer the best option, I’d expect Spencer Long, who works primarily at right guard, to get the nod, and even so, this probably isn’t something that would happen any time soon. Saw LeRibeus get in there late when Lauvao went down. Redd scored on a run to the left. Did Josh do a good job in his limited action? And could he possibly push Chester out of the starting lineup at some point? – Brian Murphy Silas Redd indeed scored on a run to the left, but it wasn’t because of LeRibeus. The third-year guard actually didn’t do very well on that touchdown play. He came off the line and tried to get to the next level to lay a hit on linebacker Telvin Smith, but he overran the block and got only a hand on Smith. The linebacker cut over toward Redd while LeRibeus watched, but Trent Williams was in the way, blocking another defender. Smith went around him and came within reach of Redd, but the rookie back outran him to the end zone. As mentioned above, I don’t see him taking over as the starting right guard. Last season, the Redskins had trouble containing McCoy and the fast offensive pace of the Eagles. How effective will the Redskins defense be this season against the Eagles? – Tim Foisie The Redskins definitely have a very stiff challenge waiting for them on Sunday. Not only do they need to contain LeSean McCoy, but they have to do the same to Sproles. If you saw Philly’s Monday Night Football game against Indianapolis, you know that is going to be very hard to do. The Redskins do have better speed at the inside linebacker position this year. Keenan Robinson is flying to the ball, making plays against the run and the pass. Perry Riley Jr. is playing at a high level as well. Those two will have to have big games. And up front, the linemen must do a good job of clogging run lanes as well. The outside linebackers need to contain the edges to try to prevent either back from getting into space. The problem is, the Eagles will spread the Redskins out and then run the ball out of those passing formations and cause a lot of damage. The defense has looked rather impressive the first two weeks. But the offense they’ll face this week is on an entirely different level.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 20:13:15 +0000
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