Jethrodsp Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 This was the worst case scenario. Robert Griffin's inspiring rookie season disappeared in a cloud of uncertainty with his second major knee operation in three years. In the heat of a hotly contested playoff game, with the Redskins leading by a single point, Mike Shanahan's responsibility to win the game overruled his responsibility to protect his quarterback. Whether you blame Mike Shanahan or chalk the injury up to tough luck or even sub-par field conditions, it doesn't change the situation the Redskins are in now. The question has become where does the organization go from here? How do we, as fans, set our expectations for 2013 without knowing what condition Griffin's knee will be in come September? For me, the answer could not be more clear. I put RGIII on the shelf until 2014 and I waste no time in making this announcement. This decision will not be popular with many people. It won't be popular with season-ticket holders, it won't be popular with current players (especially aging veterans), and most of all it won't be popular with Griffin himself. Any timetable for returning from a major surgery is somewhat arbitrary. Some athletes recover faster (Adrian Peterson) and some recover slower (Tim Hightower). The worst thing the organization can do now is state a timetable for Griffin to return and create an expectation for everyone following the situation. I wrote on the message board a couple weeks ago about the organization teetering on the edge of relevance; another game-time injury to Robert Griffin's knee would undo all of the progress the Redskins have made since April 2012. Rolling into 2013 with Kirk Cousins under center also can be extremely beneficial to the Redskins organization. We know that he can play a little bit. Letting him take the reigns for the entirety of 2013 potentially could significantly increase his trade value around the league. If he is able to play well, the Redskins can recoup a couple of picks and he will have earned a starting job somewhere. At worst, we know and Kirk knows what he is: a capable spot starter and young backup at a reasonable salary. Further benefiting the organization will be the $18 million which will be created with Mara penalties expiring. Aside from the patience the fanbase and ownership will have to show waiting on the Robert Griffin extravaganza to return, I really don't see a downside to taking every precaution with the knee. During the game, I didn't want him to come out. Until I saw RG collapse on the field I never thought Kirk Cousins gave us the best opportunity to win. Players play. They play hurt. Passes were dropped which could have extended drives. Griffin was a warrior out there; he laid it all on the line for us. Now that we know about his heart, let's give him the time to heal and come back to us as close to full strength as he ever can be. Anyway, I'm kind of curious to see what Cousins can do over a full season as starter. I can endure another 6-10 season knowing that RGIII is on the horizon, can you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan In NM Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 If he makes a 100% recovery in time to play all or part of next season, why would you sit him? It's not like you can get more than 100% healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tycoonheart Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 If doctors say his knee is 100% and that sitting him wouldn't magically make it any better than that, why would you sit him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spjunkies Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 No, if James Andrews gives him the OK to go then I don't see a need to sit him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDOG510 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I would say Yes, scrap the 13 season. Gives him the best chance of future success IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeluCopter29 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I can endure another 6-10 season if I knew that RG3 would be more healthy at the start of the 2014 season then at the start of the 2013 season. But if he's 100% at the start of the 2013 season... then it's not like he can get healthier at the start of the 2014 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IONTOP Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I'm sure that would go over just great with the competition committee.... Star player? Healthy enough? Not playing? Enjoy not having a 2nd round pick in 2014 either! Screw you Mara!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sekhmet187 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Not sure I follow. The news was better than expected and he'll likely be able to recover in the 6-8 month timeframe that Mortenson had floated around last night, so even if he waits the full 8 months, he could theoretically be ready for Week 1. If hes totally healed, theres not reason to be extra cautious if there is no risk to further injury. Obviously you don't want him on the field if hes not 100%, but by all accounts theres still a chance he COULD be 100% before the season starts so I see no reason to announce now that he can't play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cents Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Just sit him the rest of his contract.....just to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vrikk Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 No reason to sit all of next year if he will be perfectly fine. As long as there is no pain and a full recovery is done, put him in. It's not like his knees will become 200% if he sits after he is healed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrodsp Posted January 9, 2013 Author Share Posted January 9, 2013 The knee may heal, but what about strength and range of motion? What is 100% healthy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMUSkins Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 If he's 100% healthy what is the difference between 2013 and 2014? This makes no sense... just another ES doctor in the office. ---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 04:31 PM ---------- The knee may heal, but what about strength and range of motion? What is 100% healthy? 100% healthy means it's as good as his knee is gonna get. Otherwise it wouldn't be 100%... right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TradeTheBeal! Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I think it's possible that he's ready to go by mid-season next year. I think it's even more likely that Cousins will be doing way too good of a job to be benched. I can easily see RG3 failing to play in the 2013 season as a result of these two factors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradboyd80 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Um, no. There is absolutely no reason to scrap the entire 2013 season if Dr. Andrews says he will be ready for the beginning of the season. If he's not, then you just roll with Cousins until RG3 is ready (and by ready, I do mean 110% ready). He should absolutely sit on the bench until his knee is 110% healed. Once the knee is healed, then just ease him back into the game plan. Don't start week 1 with a bunch of option plays as if nothing changed. Slowly work him back into it. So no....no way we should scrap the entire season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojo Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I say we put him a glass case and perch him on a pedestal in front of Fed Ex. C'mon the guy is a football player. If he's ready, get him going ASAP. How do you think the rest of the team would react to that? It certainly wouldn't inspire confidence or push players to play through injury like Trent and London did this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsDukes Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Yeah, good luck trying to convince a healthy RGIII to sit out an entire year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vrikk Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I think it's possible that he's ready to go by mid-season next year. I think it's even more likely that Cousins will be doing way too good of a job to be benched. I can easily see RG3 failing to play in the 2013 season as a result of these two factors. No way. We paid too much for Griff. Having him sit on the bench would kill him (and most likely the fan base who want to see him back). ...of course, if Kirk is throwing 4 TDs a game as III heals... that's a nice problem to have. Hail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjfootballer Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Jeez again? Is this all we're going to see in here for the next 6 months? I'd like to "sit" some Redskin fans for a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alrah Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 If he is healthy, he should play. End of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMUSkins Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I'd like to sit threads like this that have no basis in medical expertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CounterTrey75 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Yes, I tend to agree with the overwhelming sentiment on this thread. If he's 100% before the start of the season there's no need to sit him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sekhmet187 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 The knee may heal, but what about strength and range of motion? What is 100% healthy? Well we don't know the full details yet. I could speculate about Dr. Andrews using the phrase "re-do" about the ACL inferring that he used the same attachment points as the previous graft, which would to me, be a good sign that his knee can easily return to form pre-injury. It just depends on what is done. Like I said, if his ACL didn't completely tear and wasn't in awful shape, the new graft SHOULD be as good as the old one, just designed to last longer (not sure on those details obviously, I don't have a medical degree). Basically his knees not as bad as it could be if he had just completely blew out his ACL again, so theres no reason not to be hopeful of a complete return ala Adrian Peterson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emor09 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Didn't Andrews say wearing the brace would not allow the LCL to be further injured? Just because he announces mid-August that RG3 is 100%, it may not be necessarily true... Not agreeing with the OP, just playing devil's advocate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfr3ek Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I have this gut feeling that he'll be ready by training camp. Im no doctor by any standard, but RGIII shows fight and determination. He's going to light up the NFL next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCranon21 Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 I feel like I'm in the twilight zone with these threads. Why sit him, because he had a knee injury? So should we sit Merriweather too, or how about Orakpo? Should we sit them. This is football ladies and gentlemen. These things happen. Injuries happen to star players. So what makes Robert exempt and the other IR players not exempt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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