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NFL Source: Robert Griffin III wants to play for Rams in Los Angeles
NFL Source: Robert Griffin III wants to play for Rams in Los Angeles
Posted on March 10, 2016 by Vincent BonsignoreThe Rams want to upgrade their quarterback position. And it looks like a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year wants to be that upgrade.
Robert Griffin III “very much” wants to play for the Rams in Los Angeles, a source close to the situation indicated on Thursday.
The fit seems like a natural, although it comes with risk after RG3 lost his starting job with the Washington Redskins and was ultimately released last week after four seasons in the nation’s capitol.
Nevertheless, the Rams can surround him with a strong supporting cast that includes dynamic young running back Todd Gurley – the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year – playmaker Tavon Austin, an improved offensive line and a solid defense.
In other words, RG3 won’t have to carry the Rams as much as he just needs to compliment them. And that seems appealing to a player trying to revive his career with a change of scenery.
The best year of RG3’s career came in 2012 when he and Redskins running back Alfred Morris beautifully played off each other. Operating out of the zone-read offense, the powerful legs of Morris and RG3 combined for 2,431 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, and their running threat helped open up the passing game for RG3, who threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns and compiled a 102.4 quarterback rating.
It was a spectacular rookie season to be sure, one in which Griffin became the youngest player in NFL history to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating while throwing for 200 yards and four touchdowns against the Eagles. He established rookie records for best QB rating and best TD-to-interception ratio. The Redskins made the playoffs for the first time since 2007, and RG3 was voted team captain by his peers and named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Apparently, the possibility operating in the same backfield as Gurley along with the threat that Austin has sparked legitimate interest in RG3.
There is risk.
As good as that 2012 season was, it also set the stage for three ensuing years of drama thanks to a late-season leg injury that Griffin obviously returned from too soon. The resulting dysfunction pitted coaches and player and team doctors against each other, with everyone absorbing and deflecting the blame for letting RG3 back on the field too soon.
And it ultimately sent the Redskins scurrying around changing coaches and offensive systems figuring out ways to best protect and utilize their prized young quarterback.
But when they finally settled on Jay Gruden, it created the worst-possible situation for RG3: He was a square peg in Gruden’s drop-back pass offense. But his teammate, Kirk Cousins, was built perfectly for it.
Which is why the Redskins just slapped Cousins with the franchise tag, and why RG3 is looking for a job.
For all those reasons, any team – including the Rams – should be wary of the former Baylor great.
There is the potential reward.
RG3 did not play one snap last year, which means his body is as healthy as possible. So many of his problems in Washington, D.C., were related to the injuries – a fact even Gruden supported – so it only stands to reason a healthy bodied RG3 might also be a spiritually sound RG3.
The breath of fresh air created by moving out of the drama of Washington, D.C., to the warmth and promise of the Los Angeles Rams might just be the key that unlocks the trapped star still residing in RG3.
It likely won’t require a monumental investment. RG3 is so eager to re-establish himself, he’ll no doubt be interested in a short-term show-me contract that allows him to regain his footing while maintaining the flexibility to tap back into the financial market sooner rather than later.
That makes sense for the Rams, who can then use the 15th pick on a much-needed wide receiver to compliment Austin – and RG3 – and circle back to a development quarterback in the second or third round.
If it works, the Rams might have found the 26-year-old quarterback of their present and future.
If it doesn’t, they can easily and quickly move on.
I am not interested, but I know some are, so I post this.
AgamemnonStill early, but source close to the situation indicates #Rams have shown no interest thus far in Robert Griffin III
— Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) March 8, 2016
One for the other side. 😉 AgamemnonOne clear destination emerging for RG3
Charles Robinson By Charles Robinson
10 hours ago
Yahoo Sportshttp://sports.yahoo.com/news/one-clear-nfl-destination-emerging-for-rg3-054815437.html
Robert Griffin III’s future in the NFL has been an offseason journey defined by someone else. The Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams haven’t shown serious interest. The Houston Texans chose Brock Osweiler. The New York Jets have been focused on Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Denver Broncos have made Colin Kaepernick a priority. All of this has left Griffin where he is now – spending his days working out in Texas, waiting for a phone call and a chance to compete.
Maybe for the first time this offseason, a real opportunity is coming into focus. But the team that could provide it – the San Francisco 49ers – must first part ways with Kaepernick. And that has left Griffin in an already familiar offseason holding pattern, surrounded by a swirl of speculation.
With that in mind, here is what is real, according to multiple league sources:
• After giving Case Keenum a first-round tender, the Los Angeles Rams are sitting tight with their current group of quarterbacks. Despite reports, they have not made a serious overture this week toward Griffin.
• The Jets have been focused on letting the Fitzpatrick situation play out, confident his market will dry up and temper his salary demands. Despite some reports, they have not made a serious run at Griffin.
• A few teams that had potential for attractive backup slots (the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles) went elsewhere with their plans.
• The Broncos have made Kaepernick their top priority. And even if Kaepernick doesn’t land in Denver, the prospect of Griffin going there would be dicey. Why? Head coach Gary Kubiak has a close relationship with Mike Shanahan, Griffin’s former coach. Shanahan has been highly critical of his former quarterback at various times. There’s little doubt Kubiak would lean on Shanahan’s scouting report before any recruitment took place.
None of this is to say that circumstances can’t change with these teams. But the road that’s currently illuminated for Griffin is going in one direction and that path leads to the 49ers and Chip Kelly. Make no mistake, Kelly is a huge factor in where the pursuit goes. The reality is that Griffin suits Kelly’s offensive scheme better than any quarterback he has had in the NFL. And that alone makes Griffin a viable and attractive option. Especially considering that Griffin is likely to seek only a short-term “show-me” deal, which is expected to be relatively cheap and incentive-laden.
Lest anyone forget, Kelly is very familiar with Griffin. He recruited him at Oregon with the intent of building an offense around him. And he continued to watch his growth and struggles from within the NFC East. That knowledge is key because it removes part of the free-agent equation of having to do the all-important work on scheme fit. Kelly knows Griffin can fit and run his offense. The question is whether he still has the ability to rebound and grow exponentially after his fast start and subsequent flameout in Washington.
Kelly isn’t going to make the same mistakes at quarterback that he made with Sam Bradford in Philadelphia. If he’s going to fail this time around, he’s going to do it with a stable of quarterbacks who have the skills to run his system correctly. Kelly believes Kaepernick can do that, but he’s not going to force a player to remain who doesn’t want to be part of the turnaround.
With Griffin, he doesn’t have to. Even in the worst-case scenario, the 49ers could bring Griffin in and draft a quarterback to groom. If Griffin isn’t the answer, he can play the role of a veteran bridge quarterback while showcasing himself for another team. Of course, that’s not what Griffin prefers. He wants a chance to be a starter in a system that suits his style, and with a coach who has confidence in his ability to run the offense. In a few days, a Kaepernick-less San Francisco could present opportunity. Griffin has sat and watched other quarterbacks receive theirs, while waiting patiently for his own. Out of the swirl of speculation, this is a fit that makes sense – for both sides.
Maybe nobody takes a QB. Cleveland gets Kaepernick. SF gets RG3. Wentz and Goff drop.
Agamemnon
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