From their option-style offense, to bringing RGIII back in a brace after a knee injury for an NFC East run, to sending him on the field six more times Sunday after he had re-injured the knee in the first quarter, the Washington Redskins chose to maximize Griffin for quick impact, restoration of franchise glory and short-term results. They have sought these instant rewards even though NFL contract rules make it easier for teams to keep players they want for their entire careers. That is consistent with the franchise’s hurry-up history.
Development of Strasburg in the face of huge industry criticism versus exploitation of RGIII, accompanied by “Hail to the Redskins,” is the pattern.
Neither course of action guarantees success. But the Nats have done what they thought was wisest, or medically indicated, to give Strasburg the best chance for a great long career and the Nats a chance to benefit from it. In chilling contrast, the Redskins have maximized or ignored risks to RGIII.
In the most vivid example, both Strasburg and Griffin faced classic macho-code decisions on whether or not to “tough it out” for their team in a long-shot run for a World Series or Super Bowl. Both wanted to play and neither could have said “No” without crushing their own reputations in their games.
So, Nats General Manager Mike Rizzo said “No” for Strasburg. Then he took as much criticism as any executive in a generation. He had dared to disagree with industry think and not apologize. On Sunday, Griffin couldn’t ask out and still retain his credibility as team captain; he needed Coach Mike Shanahan, as adult and coach, to say “No” for him. Shanahan didn’t.
Now, Strasburg plans to report to spring training in less than five weeks for his first full season with what doctors consider a completely fit arm. On Wednesday, Griffin was in surgery for a total reconstruction of his right knee to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament. He had similar reconstruction on the same knee at Baylor in ’09. Yet at this moment, there may not be a hotter topic in Redskins Nation than, “Can he get back in time for the season opener?”
Rizzo and Shanahan are two of the sharpest observers of detail in their sports — Rizzo as a third-generation scout and Shanahan as a student of football offense, particularly every aspect of quarterback play.
Both live by their eye. They know what to look for and trust what they see. What others miss doesn’t escape them. In recent months, both faced an ethical crisis. What their eyes saw, or should have seen, was obvious. Would they have the wisdom as team-builders, the moral courage as leaders or perhaps just the decency as men, to act on it? One did. One didn’t.
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