Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Robert Griffin III, in his first public comments since the Washington Redskins traded up to acquire the No. 2 draft pick last Friday, would not concede he is destined for D.C.
“Coach [Mike] Shanahan and the GM and the owner there in Washington have a decision to make,” Griffin told 1660 ESPN Radio in Central Texas on Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m just looking forward to being in the NFL.
“I don’t say that just because that’s what I’m supposed to say. I say it because you never know what can happen. That’s why I try to keep an open mind that way. No matter who drafts me, I’m excited to go play for that team.”
It would seem the Indianapolis Colts are the ones with the real decision, though. Griffin plans to throw at Baylor’s Pro Day on March 21. He wants to help his teammates get attention from NFL scouts, but he also is still pushing to convince Indianapolis to take him first overall.
“The pick itself, everyone is assuming Washington is coming to get me, but that’s not certain,” he said. “Nothing in life is certain.”
Washington’s move to position itself to draft Griffin became official Wednesday. The NFL approved the Redskins’ trade of the sixth and 39th-overall picks in 2012 and their first-rounder in 2013 and 2014 to the Rams in exchange for the second-overall pick next month.
“I think it wasn’t too bad of a trade,” Griffin said. “I think it is a high price like many sports minds would say, but if they’re going after the player that they feel is going to help them win, then I think they were willing to play that high price. There’s no telling who that player is because if there was, there would be a lot of happy people.”
Fletcher remains on radar
Now that the Redskins addressed their biggest need by finalizing contracts for free-agent receivers Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan on Wednesday, Washington’s attempt to re-sign linebacker Pro Bowl linebacker London Fletcher took over as the main storyline in the Redskins’ free agency period.
Fletcher, who will turn 37 in May, is seeking what figures to be his final NFL contract. It happens to follow a season in which he recorded a career-high 166 tackles.
Neither side would comment Wednesday, but the Redskins have been open with their desire to retain Fletcher.
“I’m not going to hide behind the fact that we love London,” general manager Bruce Allen said on Saturday. “We hope he’s a Redskin.”
• Cornerback Aaron Ross is scheduled to visit the Redskins on Thursday, a source with knowledge of the situation said. Ross, who has played all five of his NFL seasons with the New York Giants, had a career-high four interceptions in 15 starts last season
• The Redskins also have explored the possibility of signing left guard Ben Grubbs, a source said. Grubbs played for Redskins offensive line coach Chris Foerster in Baltimore in 2007.
• Rich Campbell can be reached at rcampbell@washingtontimes.com.
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