ANALYSIS/OPINION:
Not that we’re ungrateful during the other 364 days each year, but the last Thursday of November is especially designated as count-your-blessings time. I usually start with my “Big Nine” — life, health and strength; food, clothing and shelter; family, friends and loved ones — and go from there.
This doesn’t crack the Top 10, but …
I’m thankful that Robert Griffin III is grabbing a clipboard instead of his helmet for Sunday’s game.
Coach Jay Gruden’s decision will spare RG3 and viewers a lot of pain. The quarterback won’t suffer more cartoonish violence behind a leaky offensive line; fans won’t endure more cringe-worthy plays when positive yardage was there for the taking.
I have no idea whether RG3 will ever become a great NFL quarterback or regain the efficiency displayed during a scintillating rookie season. But events in the nearly three years since his right knee contorted in grotesque fashion against the Seattle Seahawks suggest that Griffin has to re-establish himself elsewhere if at all.
Too many things seem to be working against his long-term success in a Washington uniform.
Gruden isn’t impressed with RG3’s potential, progress or the price paid to acquire him. Receivers are frustrated that he can’t or won’t deliver the ball when they’re open. Fans are fed up and welcome another look at Colt McCoy. The media can’t turn away from Griffin, who’s more distracting than a wrecked car in the locker room.
Off the field, he has become his own worst enemy, more brand than baller. His penchant for the spotlight without the production to justify it has become irritating. Even his attempts to take responsibility can sound like his teammates are the problem, dragging him down.
Being benched for the second consecutive season appears to be rock-bottom.
But there’s another reason I’m thankful — for Griffin’s sake — that Gruden administered a harsh lesson to the presumptive face-of-the-franchise. It could spark a fire that incinerates RG3’s sense of entitlement.
Coaches don’t treat the quarterback like any other position … until it suits their purpose. In this case, Gruden is sending a message that performance matters. Not that he’s placing all the blame under center, but he couldn’t ignore the offense’s struggles with RG3 running the show compared to McCoy at the helm for two games.
SEE ALSO: Robert Griffin III Redskins timeline: From the trade to the bench
Griffin can’t point to a long and glorious track record in arguing to keep the starting position. It was handed to him — like many a first-round QB — and everyone figured his Rookie-of-the-Year season was the beginning of his stranglehold on the job.
“This is my team and I’m going to lead it,” he said earlier this month when Gruden suggested the long-term prognosis was iffy.
But RG3 got his demotion the good, old-fashioned way: He earned it.
He’s neither the first nor the last quarterback forced to go this route. It doesn’t mean he’s destined to be a bust, just that he won’t follow the picture-perfect career arc of Indianapolis QB Andrew Luck, the lone player drafted ahead of him.
This could be the best thing that ever happens to Griffin. Or it could be a knockdown he never recovers from.
“We’ll see how he reacts to this and gets himself ready,” Gruden said at Wednesday’s news conference. “People handle adversity in different ways. Some people handle it and some can’t. I think he can.”
Whether Griffin can be the QB Gruden wants is a different question. But at least it’s on the table, instead of hidden beneath the sofa cushions.
That’s another thing to be thankful for, Gruden’s brutal honesty. It was on display as he struggled to be diplomatic when a reporter asked if RG3 has gotten better or worse since the new coach arrived.
“Better or worse?” Gruden said with a slight snicker. A six-second pause followed as he searched for words and held his tongue. “Well … you know …”
He proceeded to mention RG3’s success in 2012, the high expectations after his knee injury and his failure to match them. Then the coach gave what seemed to be a half-hearted answer.
“I like to think he’s gotten himself better as far as a dropback passer is concerned and some of the things I’ve asked him to do,” he said. “I think he’s gotten better. It hasn’t shown on the field. I think it’s shown in the meeting room and it’s shown on the practice field from time to time.
“But he’s not at the stage yet where he’s a starter for us right now.”
The Griffins won’t celebrate that development at the dinner table Thursday.
But there are good reasons to give thanks — even if another team eventually reaps the benefit.
• Deron Snyder can be reached at deronsnyder@gmail.com.
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