Alright sports fans, after all of the football buzz…after all of the spectators’ guesses and debates, on April 26th, 2012, the Washington Redskins made the second pick and carved their name into the books by signing one of the most talked about players into their franchise. Robert Griffin the third (or better known as RG3) is officially a Redskin.
Griffin’s arrival to the NFL and the Redskins nation has brought so much attention from…everywhere. Redskins’ fans, non Redskins fans (such as myself)…even celebrities. Best example: Breakout Kings star and proud Redskin fan Laz Alonso (who can be reached on Twitter.com/@lazofficial) has even made (and kick started) a welcome message for the new quarterback. Take a peek here: http://www.twitvid.com/UKADT
What mainly gets the Redskins nation (as well as the rest of the NFL universe) excited is that the talents that he brings to the table.
Let’s face it, prior to RG3 coming, the Redskins have went through what the Atlanta Falcons went through: lack of faith within the franchise as well as with the fans. As a former Atlanta Falcon fan, I can recall the days by in which the Falcons couldn’t get the city of Atlanta to rally around them.
Then a wave of change came: coach Dan Reeves, players Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett, and Jamal Anderson (y’all know the player that started the “Dirty Bird” dance.) Although we had that fire, we needed the one key ingredient that can bring it all together and give us that BOOM! Enter the one…the only…Michael Vick. Once he mixed his talents with the rest of the team, we had it! Fans started selling out the Georgia Dome, started representing Atlanta and started to be proud to call Atlanta home.
Now Washington is in the same boat that the Falcons used to be in. They lack the faith within each other and the fans lack the faith in them. They have a little chemistry there…they just need that one main ingredient to bring it all together to make them a worthy contender in the NFL world. Well last night, their prayers were answered.
So, if they have what they are looking for, why is there a small wind of concern that blows through me? Well, a few things come to mind.
For one, although the Redskin nation and the vast majority of the NFL world (including myself…I won’t deny it) are sold on him and believes in him and his abilities, one red flag that comes up in my mind is “do the coaches believe in him?” “Are the coaches sold on the fact that they have a sure-fire thing in their possession?” Seriously, stop and think about it: the Denver Broncos had an awesome quarterback in their possession and, despite everything he brought to the Broncos franchise, they released him and took Peyton Manning. If many can recall (and I am very sure y’all can), one of the reasons that Tebow was released was that “they didn’t believe in him”. So, I wonder if the Redskins will make that same move later on down the line.
Another thing that concerns me is that of the coaches themselves. Take a pause for a moment and try to answer this question: “why can’t the Redskins keep a good quarterback?” The answer to this question is truly essential and it has to be answered ASAP! (Redskin fans and NFL lovers, I will surely welcome any answer to this situation as well as a great debate about this issue.) As soon as the coaches and coordinators can answer this question and do the complete opposite of what they have been doing in the past as well as design the plays around the quarterback, then, as the saying goes “by George, I think they got it!”
So, now that they have him, what do I think they need to start doing? Well, a few things. First, analyze him and find out what all of his talents are…inside and out…prior to the preseason. Once the preseason comes in and he is actually on the field and in rotation, they can get a complete picture of what kind of quarterback he actually is and what style of play will best suit him. Next, design the plays around him. Then, tap into all of his talents and let him loose on the field. Finally, all the things that they did to quarterbacks in the past…DO THE OPPOSITE!
To RG3, welcome to the NFL. May your time in the league be a positive one. To the Redskins nation, I deeply pray that he is the one that will lead y’all back into NFL’s mainstream and he kicks off the “Redskins Renaissance” and y’all experience what the Falcons did when Vick was our quarterback: flurries of love and faith in the team and from the fans. Who knows, maybe we will see y’all in the SuperBowl (if it’s against MY Patriots, don’t count on winning it.).
As we all know, if we pray hard enough, our prayers will be answered. The Redskins had theirs answered. Only time will tell if it was all worth it.
Thoughts? Comments? Of course, I welcome them.
Until we meet again, may your days be sweet and your nights are sinful and delicious.
-Sophie Stanton-Cross
