Why RGIII will be better than ever in 2014
RGIII has emerged as the Redskins offensive and team leader this offseason. With a new coach in town Washington can hit the reset button after last year’s abysmal season. Griffin has set the tone for players this offseason, and that message has been clear from Griffin. After safety Ryan Clark signed with the team Griffin called him, congratulated him, and immediately told him: “Now let’s go to work.”
This is exactly the type of attitude that the Redskins need throughout their locker room, and Griffin is setting the standard for the Redskins locker room this offseason. Leadership starts from the top, so when your franchise quarterback is the first one in the weight room and the last one out, teammates will follow his example. This is the best thing that could happen to the Redskins locker room.
There are a lot of reasons to think Griffin will improve in 2014, but I think Griffin will be better than ever in 2014. Griffin will get an entire offseason to work with his receivers, something he has never had before. The importance of these offseason reps are often undervalued, and will help Griffin’s timing and accuracy in 2014.
With a now fully recovered knee, Griffin will be more comfortable and mobile in 2014 cutting on his knee that will no longer feature the bulky brace he wore in 2013. Griffin should look like his rookie-of-the-year dynamic athletic self in 2014 now a year removed from surgery. Chris Cooley recently raved about Griffin’s mobility, saying that he looked like a different player than he was last year. Cooley went on to say watching Griffin all he could do is think “You’re an absolute freak” (talking about Griffin’s athletic ability).
Cooley isn’t the only one raving about the third-year quarterback. Quarterback guru Terry Shae was recently quoted saying Griffin “looked 100% healthy.” Shae went on to comment on Griffin’s improved footwork and release-point, which will improve Griffin’s accuracy in 2014.
Griffin over-achieved in 2012. He and Alfred Morris made an average at best Redskins offense that lacked playmakers outside of the rookie duo look explosive. With two years of NFL experience now under his belt, a better offense including a plethora of weapons around him, expect a healthy RGIII to explode in 2014.
All signs are pointing to Griffin returning to his 2012 form. Just that fact alone will make Griffin dangerous in 2014. However, when you pair that with a quarterback friendly coach, a full offseason of work, and a drastically improved offense defensive coordinators should start game-planning on how to stop Griffin now, because it’s not going to be easy. Expect Griffin’s mobility, accuracy, and overall play to be better than ever in 2014.