Robert Griffin III and Jay Gruden's he-said/he-said back-and-forth war of words has spiraled out of control and has reached the point where the Washington coach has had enough of his high profile starting quarterback.
Redskins HC Jay Gruden just informed the team that Colt McCoy will start Sunday's game at Indianapolis, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 26, 2014
ESPN's Adam Schefter and others are reporting that Jay Gruden told his team this morning that backup QB Colt McCoy will take Griffin's starting spot for Sunday's game versus Griffin's draft mate Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
THIS JUST IN: Washington is planning to start Colt McCoy over RG3 on Sunday (via @AdamSchefter) pic.twitter.com/q5H9oulU1E
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 26, 2014
It's a shocking development, with Griffin being one of the most high profile young quarterbacks in the NFL, and who seemed a cornerstone of the Washington franchise after they gave up three future first round picks for him during the 2012 draft.
ESPN report that one of Washington's players sent a text ESPN's Josina Anderson saying: "Production league. No production, gotta move on."
It also means that any worries that Gruden didn't have the support of his front office can be put to rest. As Jason Reid of The Washington Post points out, the move by Gruden to bench Griffin, "should end any doubts about whether the Washington Redskins are united behind their rookie head coach".
Reid goes on to explain that the problems between Griffin and Gruden were deep debated, but a lot to do with the QB's work ethos, saying that Griffin's failure to 'get it' "on more levels than a head coach cares to count, that's a problem". He adds that Griffin's regression on the field meant that "Gruden had to take the keys from Griffin or risk losing the locker room".
Grantland's Bill Barnwell nominates a range of teams that could be targeting RG3 after the season, including the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and, ironically enough, the St Louis Rams. As Barnwell says, "the best fit might very well be the team that traded away the chance to acquire Griffin in the first place".
Either way, his point remains clear, saying "I strongly doubt that Griffin will remain on the Washington roster in 2015."
With Washington mired at 3-8 for the season, and Griffin 0-3 since returning from a dislocated ankle, it seems the franchise and coach have decided they need to move in a different direction. Which seems odd, considering the season is already lost.
Would you like to see Griffin get another chance with Washington? Or would you prefer to see him traded to another team? Where would you like to see him end up? And do you think Gruden is right in benching him for this week's game against his most-heated rival, Andrew Luck?
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