Remember the way back when, those heady days just prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, when the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Redskins, sitting pretty at the top of the draft order, were the center of debate over which quarterback - Stanford's Andrew Luck or Baylor's Robert Griffin III - each team should choose?
The Redskins, having surrendered a bounty of picks for the right to move into the second slot, were thought to be in an incredibly enviable position. No matter who the Colts picked first overall, they'd land a franchise quarterback, a player ready to helm their franchise for the next decade and possibly beyond.
It all seems so long ago now.
Since the 2012 draft, Luck has cemented himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league, and RGIII, after finding considerable success during a rookie season that would eventually end with a knee injury, has steadily spiraled downward from promising rookie, to injured talent, to mediocre starter, to downright bad.
So bad in fact, that the Monday after the Redskins' most recent loss - a 27-7 drubbing at the hands of the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers that saw Griffin throw two interceptions and generally lack the ability to control and move the offense - his coach, Jay Gruden, felt compelled to proclaim that Griffin is not only performing poorly, but suffers "fundamental flaws" in his game as a quarterback.
"Robert had some fundamental flaws. His footwork was below average," Gruden said of the performance, according to a report from Mike Jones of The Washington Post. "He took three-step drops when he should have taken five. He took a one-step drop when he should have taken three, on a couple occasions, and that can't happen. He stepped up when he didn't have to step up and stepped into pressure. He read the wrong side of the field a couple times. So from his basic performance just critiquing Robert, it was not even close to being good enough to what we expect from the quarterback position."
Gruden's comments have prompted some, including Peter King of MMQB.com, to wonder if Griffin's days in a Redskins uniform aren't already numbered.
I think Gruden doesn't like Griffin's preparation or his commitment. That's what I took from Gruden's comments. And I think what he said casts doubt on Griffin's long-term future with the team.
Gruden's words were harsh, especially considering Griffin is supposed to be the Redskins' unquestioned leader and signal caller - a position which should, ostensibly, mean a close and respectful relationship between quarterback and head coach.
Now I'm dubious about Griffin's future in Washington. It is more than just being 4-14 in his last 18 starts, or not being able to stay on the field because of injuries. I wonder, and I believe the team does too, if the faith in Griffin to be the franchise cornerstone is wise.
The team has until May 3, 2015 to make a decision on whether or not to exercise the 2016 option year in Griffin's contract - an option which would pay him $18.4 million for the season.
There are six games left in the season, and Griffin needs to treat every single one of them as if they were an audition - a chance to prove to Washington that they shouldn't give up on him as their franchise signal caller.
