A Washington D.C. Thanksgiving
By Jesse Jones
Who needs turkey when you have pigskin?
Jul 25, 2014; Richmond, VA, USA; (Editors note: Caption correction) Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) and fullback Darrel Young (36) celebrate during practice on day two of training camp at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
As we approach Thanksgiving and the end of the year, it’s always a good time to look back to what we are grateful for. An attitude of gratitude, research has found leads to an improved well-being as people that are grateful tend to be happier, healthier, and have better social relationships. After starting the season 3-8, we know the Redskins could benefit from being happier and some players…RGIII, could benefit from better social relationships with their teammates.
So despite this season not going as many fans and players had hoped, what do Redskins players have to be grateful for?
Robert Griffin III: After electrifying the league in 2012, RGIII has faced a tougher stretch of his career. After returning from his ankle injury, suffered earlier this season, RGIII has led the team to a 0-3 record while throwing 2 TDs compared to 3 INTs. Griffin has also been sacked 20 times this season and 88 times total over his 33-game career. After being benched in favor of Colt McCoy, Griffin can be thankful that he no longer has to play behind the Skins porous offensive line. He can also be thankful that he can learn a pro-style offense without having the pressure of the entire DC fan-base on his shoulders. Griffin can also be thankful for his agent who helped him get a fully-guaranteed $21 million contract when he signed with the Redskins. Let’s not forget all the endorsement money that Griffin can be thankful for. Thanks to Adidas, Subway, Gatorade, Castrol Motor Oil, EA Sports, and EvoShield, Griffin “made the most endorsement money of any pre-Week 1 NFL rookie player in history,” according to CBS Sports. Griffin is only 24 years old and should be grateful that he has his entire future, whether it be with the Redskins or not, ahead of him.
Colt McCoy: After having a successful college career at Texas, where McCoy was 2nd in Heisman Voting in 2008 and 3rd in 2009, he unfortunately was drafted by the Browns. Across 21 starts in his first two seasons with the Browns, McCoy threw 20 TDs compared to 20 INTs. What most critics of McCoy fail to mention is the fact that he was throwing to Mohamed Massaquoi, Chansi Stuckey, and Josh Cribbs. That’s not a receiving core that inspires much confidence. McCoy is thankful that he has the opportunity to re-start his career and prove his Browns career does not define him. He can also be grateful that he gets to throw the ball to DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Andre Roberts, and Jordan Reed. McCoy can also be grateful for the memorable night he had against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football earlier this season.
DeSean Jackson: DeSean Jackson is grateful that he can start doing epic sh** again now that RGIII is on the bench. In fact, the Redskins are 2-0 in the games that McCoy has played in this year. Jackson had one of his biggest games of the season against Dallas when McCoy started, with 6 receptions for 136 yards. Jackson can also be grateful for the opportunity he had to mock his former team on his 81-yard reception against the Eagles.
Kirk Cousins: Kirk Cousins is grateful that RGIII got benched because it takes some of the attention off how poorly he fared as a starter. Cousins threw 10 TDs compared to 9 INTs, looking just as turnover-prone as he was in college.
Alfred Morris: Morris is grateful that Coach Gruden finally realized he has a phenomenal RB in the backfield. After seeing less than 20 rushing attempts for six straight games, Morris has received 20 and 21 touches in the last two games, respectively. Not surprising at all, the last two games have been Morris’ two biggest games of the season. Morris’ biggest games of the season do coincide with RGIII’s return, so it will be interesting to see if he continues his progression.
Jay Gruden: After hearing his last few press conferences regarding RGIII, it was clear to see Gruden wanted to move on at the quarterback position. Gruden is grateful that he was able to bench RGIII without receiving his walking papers from Dan Snyder.
Daniel Snyder: Despite the Redskins having another down year and his prized investment, RGIII, getting benched, Snyder is still grateful this year. Snyder is grateful that the RGIII benching and quarterback controversy has taking some of the media attention away from the name-change controversy.