In what amounted to a mercy killing, the Washington Redskins’ pulled the plug on starting quarterback Robert Griffin III season when they finally benched him in favor of backup QB Kirk Cousins.
Actually, RGIII’s season was on life support for the past six weeks with no chance of recovery, and many Redskin fans openly wondered what took so long to yank RGIII by his cleats and fling him to the bench and give Cousins a chance to showcase his skill set. Others have stated that RGIII’s season was on life support with a dreadful quarterback rating, punctuated by a 3-10 record.
Moreover, Griffin finishes his season with 16 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and zero rushing TDs in 13 games, compared to 18 touchdowns and 4 interceptions with 6 rushing scores over the same number of games last season that lead to RG III winning rookie of the year.
Bottom line, more than one seasoned football critic assessed RGIII and surmised that he was not effective at all as an immobile quarterback who was forced to make decisions from the pocket. He also did not read defenses well and was unable to throw his receivers open, the pundits stated. These are the things that need to be rectified if Griffin is ever going to be a legitimate superstar in the NFL, much less a starter.
The responses to the announced benching of RGIII was swift and impassioned. Take a look at some of the responses below:
After being replaced by Kirk Cousins, RG3 will resume cashier duties at Good Burger pic.twitter.com/ZZ5NikfONk
— Angelo Patungan (@angeloGOOO) December 11, 2013
Rex Grossman will reportedly back up Kirk Cousins this weekend. That’s how you know you’ve screwed something up
— Josh Lauritsen (@jolaurit) December 11, 2013
Finally Kirk Cousins getting his opportunity. Redskins doing something right! Guy can ball and no more RGIII drama! Best of both worlds.
— Jason Hampton (@ham_squad31) December 11, 2013
Just got off a plane. Cruised Twitter to see what I missed. Ah yes, the Redskins are exploding: https://t.co/5L1nZSFa4o
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) December 11, 2013
BREAKING: Kirk Cousins will start in place of RG3 for the Redskins this Sun. RG3 fantasy owners look like this now. pic.twitter.com/5NBQhdaE10
— SportsNation (@SportsNation) December 11, 2013
REPORT: Mike Shanahan to start DeAngelo Hall at QB, London Fletcher at K, Kirk Cousins at LB, Kai Forbath at CB and RGIII at water boy #YOLO
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) December 11, 2013
Like the red Lobster I just dropped RG3 from my fantasy team and picked up Kirk Cousins.
— Michelle Jinks (@TheSportsJinks) December 11, 2013
Poor RG3&10… From savior of the skins to benched in favor of Kirk Cousins in one year. Ouch.
— Thomas Goble (@tomahawkchop84) December 11, 2013
The rest of the season will be Kirk Cousins’ interview with the Texans
— Matthew Puente (@Air_Matt) December 11, 2013
Maybe mike Shanahan just likes playig Kirk Cousins in week 14 every year lmao
— Sir C-Well (@CWellion) December 11, 2013
Michigan State fans are having a good past couple of days…first they win the B1G and then the news of Kirk Cousins starting this week
— Marlon (@mdlr52192) December 11, 2013
It’s about time Kirk Cousins get his chance. Dude was a leader in mich St. And he’ll soon be the leader for Washington.
— Isaac P. (@Hercules_Isaac) December 11, 2013
Im scared Kirk cousins I think he starts next season for the redskins. #callingitnow
— Billy Berger-Bailey (@BergerBailey) December 11, 2013
I’m not sure why Kirk Cousins starting is a big deal. No one is going to start him next year over a healthy RG3 anyway. Its an audition.
— M.Dotts (@_MDotts) December 11, 2013
RGIII should be benched. Kirk Cousins is better anyway.
— Mitchell Crownover (@MitchellC83) December 11, 2013
Cooley says Cousins is easily a better pocket passer than RGIII, and that Griffin’s technique “is dreadful” https://t.co/BYQxZd483B
— Dan Steinberg (@dcsportsbog) December 11, 2013
