Redskins: Statement from Robert Griffin, III / Shanahan Responds

The Washington Redskins released a statement from quarterback Robert Griffin, III this evening regarding statements he made during his normal weekly meeting with the press yesterday. The statement is a result of some of the things Griffin said regarding his understanding – or lack thereof — of the plan that his head coach, Mike Shanahan had, for getting RGIII back onto the field after his knee injury and surgery from last season. Because of the huge amount of press that what he said generated, the second-year man obviously felt the need to straighten some things out.

The statement read:

“I just needed to address something was said, or something that’s been going along in the media since I had my press conference yesterday. I just want everybody to know if there’s any questions about if there’s a rift between me and Coach [Mike Shanahan] or if there’s a conflict, there is no conflict. Coach is Coach. I’m the player. Coach has a plan and I’m abiding by that plan. I’m doing everything the coaches are asking me to do. I trust those guys. They want me to have a long career and that’s what part of this plan is about.

“Yesterday, I voiced my opinion about it because I was asked about it. That’s been twisted and turned and tried to put against this team and that’s not what we want. Like I said, Coach is Coach. Kirk [Cousins], Rex [Grossman] and Pat [White] have done a great job all offseason with the team getting in and out of the huddle and making plays, and it’s an honor for me to be in the quarterback room with those guys.

“That being said, I’m excited about tomorrow.”

Coach Shanahan, in his press conference today, said the following:

“Well, first of all, I’m not sure what he so I don’t know if he needed to clear anything up. But the one thing that is interesting about a relationship with the head coach and the quarterback is the constant communication. We’ll have lots of talks and that’s just part of a quarterback and a coach maturing their relationship as time goes on. But that happens all the time in the National Football League and I did not know that Robert was going to speak to you. Obviously [Senior Vice President] Tony [Wyllie] just told me that he did. So whatever he said, I hope it was good. Hopefully, you guys enjoyed it.”

“I think the main thing is that it’s always tough when you have a great competitor like Robert. He wants to play. I think you can see his body language; he wants to be out there. That’s a positive I shared with you all yesterday. So I love that. I love the mindset. But we do have a plan for Robert. Hopefully that plan will work.  I’m hoping that there’s no setback. He has looked good and hopefully we can keep on getting ready for the first game. Hopefully there’s no setback where we can do that.”

Hail.