Mark Brunell: Robert Griffin III has 'gone backwards'
Former Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell doesn't have much faith in current Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Mark Brunell, the man who completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes in nine games with the Redskins in 2004 and was the NFL's 36th-ranked quarterback that season, according to Football Outsiders, doesn't think much of current Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.
“From what I’ve seen the last couple of years — listen, he burst onto the scene and that was impressive — but like I said, he has gone backwards," Brunell said during an appearance on ESPN (via the Washington Post). "It’s not just his decision-making, it’s his fundamentals. He’s taking too many hits, he’s quick to get out of the pocket."
When asked by host Stephen A. Smith if Griffin was good enough to succeed in the NFL Brunell said, "I do not."
Which is interesting because Brunell had spoken highly of Griffin in the past. Last May, Brunell told ESPN.com, “[Griffin will be] one of the best young quarterbacks in the league and he got there because he’s a great athlete and he’ll be coached well. He’ll be fine. Other young quarterbacks couldn’t get to that point. He won’t be one of those guys. He’s smart.”
And as recently as January, following another poor season from Griffin, Brunell sounded hopeful.
“You can develop those [instincts],” he told ESPN.com. “But to develop those instincts you have to stay in the pocket. You’ve got to be in there and it’s not easy because a lot of quarterbacks’ heads tell them to stay in there but the feet tell them we’ve got to go. It’s tough.”
But Brunell's opinion has changed and now it's more in line with just about everyone else.
"Last year was difficult to watch," Brunell told Smith. "Does he have the skill set? Yes, but we haven’t seen it in some time.”
It's hard to argue with that, and another poor start from Griffin will not only land him on the bench, it will likely end his tenure in Washington.
