USA TODAY International Edition
NFL Shanahan clears the air — sort of — on RG3’ s start
Intrigue is part of the special package with Robert Griffin III, the rock- star quarterback with the brace supporting his surgically repaired right knee.
The buzz factor, when combined with breathtaking skill, adds so much value.
So it seemed quite fitting Monday, as the Washington Redskins hit the practice field to prepare for the regular- season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles next Monday night, that there was mystery attached to Griffin.
Must coach Mike Shanahan — under doctor’s orders — scale back how he uses Griffin in his offense to minimize the risk for reinjury?
“Well, you’re going to have to come to the game,” Shanahan said after practice. “You’re going to have to decide yourself what we’re doing.”
Ah, that clever Shanahan. Adding to the drama.
On Thursday night, Shanahan set up a suspenseful Labor Day weekend by saying there were “a couple of concerns” that surgeon James Andrews expressed upon clearing Griffin to play in the opener — as if the start remained in jeopardy. In the D. C. region, this can cause panic, like a government shutdown.
Of course, Shanahan never revealed what the concerns were. But the coach insisted they were discussed and resolved in a conference call Sunday that included Griffin, Shanahan, Andrews and general manger Bruce Allen.
After Monday’s practice, during which Griffin lined up with the first unit and had no setbacks, Shanahan was adamant in proclaiming that Andrews’ fingerprints are not on the playbook. Shanahan also seemed a bit taken aback when pressed about the concerns.
“We told you from Day 1 that Robert was going to be our starter unless there was a setback,” he said.
Is Shanahan playing mind games with the Eagles? Because Andrews contradicted Shanahan in a text message to The Washington Post on Friday, saying he had no concerns about Griffin’s return.
Yet with the doubt cast by the coach, maybe the Eagles spent an extra few minutes reviewing that thirdand- long videotape cut- up of backup quarterback Kirk Cousins.
It would seem odd that Andrews would clear Griffin if there were any concerns — especially given the criticism that flowed from the mysterious manner in which Griffin was allowed to continue playing during the Redskins’ playoff game in January, before his knee buckled.
“If we didn’t feel like Robert was full- go and he wasn’t ready to play and do all the things that you ask a guy to do, then he would not be playing in this game.”
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan
There’s even more scrutiny now on the return- to- play process.
Besides, if, as speculated, Andrews cleared Griffin with concerns about how he might be used in an offense with read- option packages, it would blur the line between medical practice and playbook doctrine. Can you imagine these doctor’s orders: No quarterback sneaks. Never call a rollout sprinting left if the weakside safety is in the box.
Make sure Santana Moss is the hot receiver vs. a cross blitz in the red zone.
Shanahan flatly dismissed the theory that Griffin will be limited, eight months post- op.
“If we didn’t feel like Robert was full- go and he wasn’t ready to play and do all the things that you ask a guy to do, then he would not be playing in this game,” Shanahan said. “We believe he can do everything that a quarterback is asked to do, and if that’s sprinting out, if it’s running the option, if it’s dropping back, we think he can do all those things because he’s proved it to us in practice and there hasn’t been a setback.”
Griffin wasn’t made available to the media Monday, but with his “Operation Patience” mission complete, he likely is eager to prove he’s still the electric player who led his team to a division title as a rookie.
Remember, a few weeks ago the kid was talking about playing in a preseason game.
Still, neither Shanahan nor Griffin should need specific orders from the doctor to manage the return of a player who might be the face of the NFL for years. Easy does it.
Shanahan needs to continue the pattern exhibited in 2012, when the team exposed Griffin less in read- option situations as the season progressed — 50 of his 120 rushes were on scrambles and the injuries didn’t occur on options.
Griffin needs to protect himself from risk, which can be difficult in the heat of the moment but involves sliding, running out of bounds and opting not to fight for the extra yard when it doesn’t matter.
They all should have learned lessons from last season. If not, it could fuel more intrigue ... and perhaps dire consequences.