Washington Redskins Need an About Face Up front

When the Washington Redskins selected Robert Griffin, III with the second pick in the 2012 NFL draft, most pundits thought the team had selected their face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. The team would later draft current backup quarterback Kirk Cousins (Michigan State University) in the fourth round (102nd overall), further cementing a position of need for an organization that, even when it was winning Super Bowls XVII (17),  XXII (22) and XXVI (26), did not have a franchise-caliber signal-caller.

Fast forward to yesterday’s game in Houston and it can be said that the Redskins have a very good situation at quarterback. Sure, there may be a faction that questions who should be the starter at the position (that story could rear its’ head at another time this season). But this team has two young progressing gun slingers who would be hot commodity’s for most teams in the NFL.

This is where all of the positives of the position need to be thrown out of the window with the baby and the bath water. With the exception of All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, the guys in front blocking for these quarterbacks are not up to the caliber required to protect a franchise quarterback… especially one coming off of major knee surgery.

When Griffin went down with a serious injury in a January 2012 playoff loss to Seattle, many wondered how it would affect his game going forward. It is obvious to see that what it has mostly done is effect how the decision-makers around him determine how he should be used. Is he a pocket passer or a running signal-caller?

My theory has always been: why can’t he be both? Why does a player that was a Heisman Trophy winner and had the NFL and sports world buzzing less than two years ago have to be put into a single category as a quarterback?

Griffin made plays with his arm and his legs during his Rookie of the Year campaign of 2012. What made him so dynamic was that defenses did not know which threat was going to be used on any given play. His athleticism made his average-at-best offensive line look better than they actually were at the time.  But know this: Washington can’t have an average line if it wants Griffin in the pocket. It must have a stellar line that can protect him at all costs.

Sunday against the Texans and their “All-Planet” defensive lineman J.J. Watt, Griffin was running for his life anytime he tried a basic three- or five-step drop.

It does not matter that this offense has Pro Bowl players in running back Alfred Morris and wide out DeSean Jackson. It does not matter if the offense has a record-breaking receiver in Pierre Garçon to pair with Jackson on the outside. It does not matter that it has a burner in Andre Roberts in the slot or an up-and-coming tight end in Jordan Reed. None of this matters because the positions of the utmost importance to the great teams around the league is their offensive linemen.

No way would the New England Patriots with Tom Brady at quarterback or the Denver Broncos with Peyton Manning come into a season with unknowns on their offensive lines. Their linemen are to their quarterbacks what the Secret Service is to the President… he can’t be touched. Most of the great organizations make it a habit to build from the inside out. They build up the trenches on offense and defense because this is what controls games. If the lines are strong, the skill positions will flourish because less effort is required to make things happen. Versus the Houston Texans, the blame for the Redskins’ loss and the way their young quarterback looked lays at the feet of the men who are not on the field but upstairs in suits or khakis.

Head coach Jay Gruden may very well develop Griffin into an elite pocket passer. My money says that he will. However, if Griffin’s bosses upstairs do not spend some money upgrading their offensive line, then neither Gruden nor Griffin may be here to see that development.

It is a travesty that this team thought they could come into this season with its current offensive line. Center Kory Lichtensteiger is actually at his natural position now so it makes sense to wait a bit before assessing his play (it could take time for him to settle into this new role… he played left guard in Washington from 2010-2013). The team drafted offensive guard Spencer Long (University of Nebraska) and tackle Morgan Moses (University of Virginia) but does not want them to learn on the fly and would like to have time to develop them. That does not bode well because this team needs immediate help now.

Can someone say “Ritchie Incognito?” Beause over the past few seasons, this line has been incognito.  Simply put, how could Washington entrust this line to protect Griffin, its most valuable asset?

The third-year quarterback played admirably against Houston, completing 29 of 37 passes for 267 yards.  He didn’t have time to throw down the field, attempting only two really long passes in the game. Most of his throws were quick slants and screens because again, his ineffective offensive line could not keep the aggressive Texans from setting up shop in their own backfield.

If this team is to have any success this season, the offensive line is going to have to find a happy medium somehow. Could it be in the running game with Morris and number two RB Roy Helu, Jr?

For what’s it worth, I thought the line did very well in the running game. However, changes need to made by next Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguars come to town or this will be a season that will put Griffin — and maybe even Cousins if he gets a shot — at risk.

Admittedly, it’s early and there is no need for panic yet. But there is cause for major concern because the offensive line must do a much better job of protecting Griffin… the Redskins’ number one asset.