Gruden has made it clear that RG3 is his starter, despite the fact that back up Kirk Cousins has suggested that he'd like an opportunity at the job, if not in Washington then elsewhere (all while maintaining that he doesn't want to be a distraction. Duly noted, Kirk.)
On Monday, we finally got a glimpse of Griffin, when he spoke to Fox Sports 1 during a Baylor-Oklahoma women's basketball game.
“We’re all excited. everybody in the [Redskins] organization,” Griffin said, via the Washington Post. “Talking to my teammates, it’s not that we’re starting over; we’re just getting a fresh start. So we’ve got a new leader at the helm and we’re going to be a united front. And I think all those guys are really excited about what’s coming.”
Griffin's not wrong. The Redskins aren't necessarily in need of an overhaul; they won 10 games and the NFC East in 2012, and then a confluence of events doomed them in 2013 -- Griffin returning to the field before he was completely healthy and Shanahan's questionable coaching decisions, for starters.
It's reasonable to think that RG3 could return to his rookie form in 2014, especially if Gruden can fashion an offense that makes the most of Griffin's talents, something the previous coaching staff struggled to do a season ago.
Earlier in the week, Gruden talked about getting his franchise quarterback back to his franchise quarterbackin' form.
“Last year was a tough year, it was a humbling year for a lot of people, especially for [Griffin],” the coach said. “He's eager to get back into shape. He's eager to work. He's got great work ethic already. I can see that. He's excited to get the new playbook. ...
“I think the one thing about him is he's a very fiery competitor. You can see that. He's a good, solid leader, and he's excited to get to work. Obviously, he has a ton of talent that we have to mold and get him comfortable in the offense.”
And if RG3 falls on his face, there's always Cousins. (That's a joke. We think.)
