Robert Griffin III, who is coming off a dreadful 2013 season, tried to ground expectations for 2014 after the Washington Redskins signed DeSean Jackson to a three-year contract. Before you call RGIII out for playing the role of Mr. Obvious, read the quote.
The third-year quarterback reportedly texted this dandy to a local CBS news station in D.C.
We are excited to have him join our team…Our team and this city will be there for him. I understand his drive and his competitiveness to win. Always doing it for his dad and now doing it for this city.
It’s an exciting time be a Redskin fan and a part of this team because of the fire power that we have with all our guys. Everyone needs to understand that we haven’t won anything yet, and these next few months will be about building those bonds and chemistry so that we can.
In RGIII’s defense, Washington did win a whopping three games last season. For the record, that’s three more than you and I combined. In context, he’s talking about the addition of Jackson and how it indicates that the team hasn’t won a darn thing by adding him to the roster.
What’s the point of this article? It’s not meant to crap on Washington’s parade or point out that a franchise quarterback like to toe the company line. Instead, it’s to indicate to fans in Washington and those pumped up for the signing, that there is a whole lot left to do in order to be considered serious playoff contenders. One player of Jackson’s caliber doesn’t change that. It needs to be the first step in what promises to be a lengthy process after the dumpster fire that was the 2013 season.
At the very least, RGIII understands this. Maybe he’s trying to mute expectations to an extent with the knowledge that lofty goals may be one thing, but expecting a quick turnaround based off one free-agent signing isn’t realistic.
Without a first-round pick, which would have been the second overall selection, Washington needs to hit on every draft pick this upcoming May. The addition of one of the premiere play-makers in the league doesn’t change this.
Photo: Brad Penner, USA Today