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| It's nice of Griffin to defer to Grossman but there's no doubt: RG3 is the Skins' starting QB from Day 1. (US PRESSWIRE) |
In typically selfish fashion, soon-to-be Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III said on the Dan Patrick Show that "I expect greatness out of myself and I expect greatness out of my team so yeah I expect to be the starting quarterback."
We're kidding about being selfish, of course. Whatever RG3's demeanor, some analysts consider him the best quarterback in the draft, and it's reasonable to think that the second-overall pick would win the starting gig on a five-win outfit that featured Rex Grossman and John Beck last season. Wherever he may end up on the depth chart, a modest Griffin told the media Tuesday that he knows he'll have to prove himself to his new teammates.
“You can’t come in thinking that you’re a big-dog," he said according to CBS DC. "I might be the second pick, I might be who the fans want as a quarterback and the coaches want as a quarterback but I’ve still got to go beat out Rex Grossman… Rex Grossman is the quarterback in Washington right now and I’ve got to go beat him out. I’ve got to prove to those guys that I’m there to work and I will, it’s who I am. I’ll be the first one in, last one out and it won’t be a cliché with me."
It's a nice sentiment, for sure, but no one thinks Grossman is a starting quarterback, including Grossman. The Redskins signed him to a one-year deal early in free agency but even he understood that it was as a backup (Washington had already made the blockbuster trade with St. Louis to move up to the No. 2 pick).
“You know, I’m comfortable with that scenario, but I’m always gonna be ready for an opportunity,” Grossman said March 19 via the Washington Post's Dan Steinberg. "And when I do get an opportunity, I still have a lot of goals and drive to be a great quarterback, so the situation is what it is. I mean, nobody wants to be a backup quarterback … So when you’re in that position, your job is to be ready at a moment’s notice, and when you do get an opportunity, take advantage of it....”
“Everybody has aspirations and motivations and dreams, but I also understand that you’re picking a quarterback with the second pick, you gave up a lot of draft picks, that player’s gonna get every opportunity to show what he can do and be successful. They’re investing a lot in that player. In the meantime, I’m gonna be prepared to be a help to him and be ready to play at any time. That’s my job description, and I’ll be ready to go.”
At this stage of his career, Grossman is probably best suited as a backup. He knows the offense well but it won't be a situation where RG3's job will ever be in doubt. (If the Skins trade for Tim Tebow that changes everything.) Washington gave up a ton to be in position to draft Griffin but for the first time in a long time, it appears to be the right move. Remember: it could be much, much worse.
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