Robert Griffin III’s time in Washington, from Rookie of the Year to injury-filled sophomore slump and release

To begin with glorious rookie season, Robert Griffin III was worth everything. The draft picks that Washington had traded to select its franchise quarterback came out as if chump change in comparison to accurate arm, magical legs and brilliant smile that Griffin introduced to D.C.

Then came the knee injuries, along with the sophomore slump, and even more injuries, along with the benchings. Griffin went from Rookie of the year and Pro Bowler to 3rd round the depth chart which incorporated Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins. He did not even make sure it is the whole of his rookie contract before you are freed and delivered to drift as being a journeyman.

This really is frequently a reminisce at everything – the initial highs along with the concluding lows to RG3’s over time Washington, the kind of drastic career shift that leaves everybody wondering some variation in the “Let’s say?” question. We’ll do not know damaged whipped cream any type of individuals hypotheticals, though. All everybody knows is exactly what happened.

2012 National football league Draft

Washington wanted Griffin, nonetheless the St. Louis Rams held no. 2 pick within the 2012 National football league Draft. It’d have a very trade to make sure Griffin performed within the nation’s capital.

The Rams guaranteed a greater payment: 2012’s No. 6 overall pick another-rounder, together with first-round picks in 2013 and 2014. That permitted Washington to maneuver up four picks and take RG3.

There was not question who’d trigger the board while using the first pick that year: Stanford’s Andrew Luck was considered a generational quarterback prospect. But Griffin, from Baylor, made an appearance that require thinking about a greater prospect along with a good pick at No. 2 overall. Bleacher Report gave Washington a b – – grade because of its selection and authored this:

What elevated a couple of eyebrows later because 2012 draft was who Washington selected within the 4th round. Kirk Cousins, from Michigan Condition, increased to end up part of Griffin in Washington’s 2012 rookie class, moving that wouldn’t show it’s true extended-term implications until later.

MORE: Russell Wilson & the QBs drafted before Seahawks star this year

Rookie of the year

Griffin is a star immediately. Inside the National football league debut within the Saints, Griffin completed 19-of-26 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns while hastening 10 occasions for 42 yards within the 40-32 win. That outing earned him NFC Offense each week honors.

The fantastic occasions stored on coming: 82 hastening yards with two scores on the floor in Week 2, 138 hastening yards with two more scores in Week 6, 304 passing yards with four touchdowns to beat the Cowboys on Thanksgiving four days after tossing four TDs within the Eagles. Luck might have been the NFL’s future face, but RG3 was the league’s exciting new present.

Adding for the rookie success of Griffin was the ability to keep his turnovers under control, tossing just five interceptions and losing two fumbles the whole season. He transported by helping cover their 3,200 passing yards and 20 touchdowns while using air while adding 815 hastening yards and 7 TDs on the floor. In individuals days, Griffin elevated to obtain the NFL’s rookie record-holder for season quarterback rating and touchdown-to-interception ratio (Dak Prescott broke both).

Overall, Griffin earned 2012 National football league Offensive Rookie of the year honors twelve several days after Cam Newton attempted exactly the same. It came out as if Washington’s trade up was helpful.

Kirk Cousins era

Griffin was again the starter within the 2014 opener, but he dislocated his left ankle in Week 2. That stored him out until every week 9 return which was immediately interspersed with three straight losses. That introduced having a benching intended for Colt McCoy.

McCoy went lower obtaining a season-ending injuries that permitted Griffin to begin again in Days 16 and 17, anf the husband had decent days while using air while neglecting to top 20 hastening yards both in game.

The 2015 preseason was basically the final outcome in Washington for Griffin. He endured a concussion and Cousins was eventually named the starter. In the course of September, it had been reported that Griffin was practicing as being a safety across the scout team, anf the husband ongoing to get third across the depth chart the whole season, not playing just one snap.

On March 7, 2016, under 4 years after Washington traded around draft Griffin, he premiered.