PFT: Gruden says the “clock’s ticking” on Griffin

[Dead Money]

The young man seems to think he is more important than the head coach of the team or the team for that matter. This seems like its a last ditch effort to try to swing that back where it should be.

I agree with you John in that most of the good rules in people management have been thrown to the wayside here. Its not the way it should go down, but neither was the way Shanahan handled it so the whole Snyder effect must be involved yet again. I hate to say it, but I've hear the term coach killer thrown around carelessly before. This must be what it means. If Gruden can survive this and get this team to play, he'll have a fan in me. Same for Robert.

 

[Primus Porcus]

I'd ask that everyone look at last Sunday's game again. Robert will never look like a pro set qb, but when given the time, he's pretty good. I wish Gruden would evaluate his o-line in the press, because they suck...and, they need some motivation, too. Same for the defense. Is Haslett's job on the line, too. Maybe Gruden would care to comment.

We haven't heard anything, but I suspect the Danny/RG3 relationship might be what's irking JG...and, yeah, this could be a bail out signal for Gruden.

Different strokes for different folks. He also doesn't have O-linemen coming out stirring up drama. I would imagine he's addressed the struggles with the O-Line in the lockeroom and film study.

I wonder if Gruden is thinking outside of the box here. I have to imagine everything he's said publicly he's also said behind closed doors. Griffin has shown an obsession with social media and public statements, and maybe Gruden is using that same platform that Griffin take so seriously to send a message. Maybe he's showing Griffin how telling the 'truth,' as much as Griffin doesn't think it will hurt anyone, on a public forum does more harm then good. If this works, we'll be talking about Gruden in terms of brilliance.

 

[MikeSr619]

Can you imagine if polumbus or Chester tried to come out criticizing any one? They might end up hanging from outside the practice facility...lol

I know you're halfway kidding..but, still, only trent has the right to really say anything

 

[Primus Porcus]

Can you imagine if polumbus or Chester tried to come out criticizing any one? They might end up hanging from outside the practice facility...lol

I know you're halfway kidding..but, still, only trent has the right to really say anything

Someone on the radio the other day (i believe it was Grant Paulsen) said that last year one of the O-Linemen said 'off the record' that some damning things about Griffin but refused to go on record because of the problems it would cause....

 

[MikeSr619]

Problems in his own playing going under a microscope?

Griffin has 5 games to improve and make it worth picking him up. Gruden said it pretty much but without the gloves on. I support it.

But the line needs to be held responsible if Griffin is playing the best he can and is still getting murdered.

 

[McD5]

I think it's obvious that Gruden wants to win games badly.

He's not just happy to be here. He's pissed and I like that.

 

[Beans]

If this works, we'll be talking about Gruden in terms of brilliance.

IF seems like a hope and a prayer. And even if it does work, we don't know intent so it very well could be a lucky second or third order of effect. Although it would be pretty awesome if he did stumble and bumble his way into getting Griffin's mind right. I still believe in the young man. He just needs to relax and play within himself. Don't discount the adversity of what playing for THIS team with THAT line can do to a quarterback....

 

[Primus Porcus]

IF seems like a hope and a prayer. And even if it does work, we don't know intent so it very well could be a lucky second or third order of effect. Although it would be pretty awesome if he did stumble and bumble his way into getting Griffin's mind right. I still believe in the young man. He just needs to relax and play within himself. Don't discount the adversity of what playing for THIS team with THAT line can do to a quarterback....

It was a hypothetical but, at least in my mind, it would make sense. If the last 2 weeks has a positive effect on Griffin, A. get him to slow down with the public exposure and sound bites, B. take a long look at himself and work on what needs to be worked on... it COULD work.

 

[fansince62]

I just think it's hypocritical and arrogant for a first time NFL head coach to gut his starting QB over and over in the press. To turn his words around on him, Gruden needs to worry about his own performance. His team, in fact - every single unit of his team - is horrible. Where is the coaching? Where is the genius? Where is the leadership?

I'm not making excuses for Griffin. He needs to improve 100%. But to me, this just isn't the right way to go about building a team mentality and to support your players.

I'm lmao. Gruden knows that for better or for worse his future is tied to RGIII's. as we all know...one of the reasons he was brought in was because he knew how to work with QBs and would...to use a popular word around here...elevate Robert to the next level. well...Gruden is failing....horribly...thus far.

McCoy? lmao. that's a desperation move and typical for DC. He's 2-0!!!! wowie zowie!!! Florio forgot to mention that COlt has never enjoyed a wining season record and that the Titans game was a struggle against a go no-where team. the defense basically won the dallass game.

this has now reached the high drama stage. if Gruden is too stupid to keep his thoughts private....then he too is part of the problem and needs to go. I like this guy less and less. perhaps, afterall, he wasn't ready for the big time and the hot spotlight that comes with coaching in DC.

I would love to see Colt against the 49ers! ALF as a rushing threat drops when RGIII isn't in the game increasing the burden on the QB. With Colt, the offense is pigeon-holed into a short to medium passing game. fall behind and it falls apart. If Colt is the starting QB I'm investing every draft pick and every FA ollar in stealing as many quality defensive players as I can. You're talking abt a QB who has NEVER thrown more than 2 TDs in a single game as a professional. turn the reigns over to him and you're talking grind it out offense and top tier defense. or...you're talking care-taker with another 3-5 years pickled on some project QB draftee.

RGIII is not playing well now. if they can't get him to work out....Gruden and this team are both screwed.

 

[Boone]

Basically,

Time for Robert to poop or get off the pot.

Can't say I disagree with that.

The obvious question isn't whether that's true or not, the question is, is it smart or effective to go out of your way to publically throw your QB under the bus twice in one week and self-create this kind of drama. I'm sorry, but I don't see how this is productive, unless your intent is to thumb your nose at ownership and trying to instigate an 'it's me or him' kind of conversation.

I get 'tough love'. But you don't have to humiliate a player in public to show it.

 

[Primus Porcus]

Against SF, RG3 is more likely to get hurt than improve.

You know, last week's game was a microcosm of what's wrong with our team. We rarely get good field position because of the special teams' poor play. How well did Forbath play last Sunday? 0-2. Paulsen gave up a pick and had at least one false start. In fact, we were plagued by false starts or procedure penalties. Helu fumbled at a key time.

As for the defense, we let a rookie WR beat us constantly...and, that mediocre qb, too. Not to mention that we haven't had a turnover that I can remember.

Nothing improves. Frustration is the key word for us Skins fans.

I dont discount that in the least. I was just speaking to why Gruden came out and said the things he did. Griffin playing at a pro bowl level doesn't turn this team into a contender if this past game is a barometer of the team. I understand that. I dont LIKE it, but I understand it.

 

[SNF]

On a side note, I agree that's it's not a Florio hack job, but it is once again not Florio's work. It's Albert Breer's interview and he did just fine presenting it on his own.

Jay Gruden offers honest assessment of Robert Griffin III's play - NFL.com

As far as the content of the interview, my initial and continued reaction is that I wish everyone within the Redskins organization would just shut the hell up and focus on the product on the field. Griffin looked brain dead, yes, and that is a huge problem. But Coach, your entire team performed like it was the first pre-season game. What the hell have you been doing during the week?

 

[Boone]

Hello! Gruden has been a what you see is what you get coach. I like it. But let's not put it all on Gruden and the "gut" job as you like to say. Grif was benched last 3 games last year. We as "insider" fans, ha ha, thought it was to keep Grif healthy since the season was a lost cause. Well, to outsiders, that's not what they saw. They saw a QB benched for lack of performance and losing games. Gruden is one who saw that, so I don't believe in the gut theory. Jay actually did Grif a favor and took the pressure OFF by anointing him starting QB to begin camp. We all expected that to be the case. What no one, especially Jay Gruden could predict, was that 2013 was not an aberration. It was the sign of things to come and Grif was the same guy. Bottom line is Gruden is not giving any leeway for his past injury status. All Jay wants to do is win a friggin football game. That's all I want, I don't care who plays QB. Jay Gruden feels the same way and this "warning", if you will, is a last chance for Grif to get with the program.

This is what's called a 'suckers choice'. There aren't just 2 choices here, as you're characterizing it - to 'be honest publically about all of Griffin's flaws' or to 'stay quiet about his play and start him indefinitely'. In no way are those the options Gruden has. He could also:

1) Ride Griffin like no tomorrow, be as tough as hell on him as he needs to be, privately, and/or on the practice field, but not gut him publically.
2) Bench Griffin and start Colt.
3) Bench Griffin and move back to Cousins.

I like Gruden. But he's not stupid, and he knows that drama not only killed this team in 2013, it got a previous coach fired. It's going to have the same result here if he doesn't get a handle on it. I will also reiterate that if the goal is to get Griffin to the point of being a super solid NFL QB starter, I think Gruden is making a big mistake here. This kind of public trashing seems to be reserved for Robert. You've gotten to know Griffin over the past couple of years. Do you think this added pressure and distraction is going to be helpful to him? Do you think his personality is one that is going to respond well to this? Sorry - but I don't. People and players are different. They respond differently. Coaches who don't get that, don't last very long. I don't know what the motive here is, but I think doing this for the 2nd time in a week (again, after apologizing for doing it earlier this week) is going to create a major distraction for Griffin when what we need is to have him focused, positive, and improving. You don't have to agree.

 

[Boone]

The young man seems to think he is more important than the head coach of the team or the team for that matter. This seems like its a last ditch effort to try to swing that back where it should be.

I agree with you John in that most of the good rules in people management have been thrown to the wayside here. Its not the way it should go down, but neither was the way Shanahan handled it so the whole Snyder effect must be involved yet again. I hate to say it, but I've hear the term coach killer thrown around carelessly before. This must be what it means. If Gruden can survive this and get this team to play, he'll have a fan in me. Same for Robert.

The only problem I have here is that if Gruden doesn't think Robert is the best QB for the job, he needs to bench him and move on. I would 100% support that if this is his football decision. But what I don't like about it, beyond what I've already said, is that Gruden was brought here and given this opportunity in large part due to his reputation as an offensive guru and QB mentor. Where's all that genius and mentoring? This is it??? This is the best you can do? It's not like Griffin is a slug with no talent, no brains, and no motivation - come on! He was the offensive ROY 2 seasons ago. I get it, I get it, gimmick offense or whatever. But it did happen. He threw and ran for record yards and scored a shitload of TDs with very few mistakes made. If you can't get him performing better, maybe YOU aren't doing your best Gruden. I'd like to hear more about what Gruden is going to do to right this ship, and all I'm hearing is a bunch of vague BS from him. He sounds clueless as to what he thinks needs to be done if you ask me. 'Try harder' doesn't get it done in the NFL. And again, if he's looking at Griffin and thinking 'I can't fix this', then he needs to move on and find a QB he can be effective with and stop with the head games and his aggravation/escalation of the situation.

 

[fansince62]

The only problem I have here is that if Gruden doesn't think Robert is the best QB for the job, he needs to bench him and move on. I would 100% support that if this is his football decision. But what I don't like about it, beyond what I've already said, is that Gruden was brought here and given this opportunity in large part due to his reputation as an offensive guru and QB mentor. Where's all that genius and mentoring? This is it??? This is the best you can do? It's not like Griffin is a slug with no talent, no brains, and no motivation - come on! He was the offensive ROY 2 seasons ago. I get it, I get it, gimmick offense or whatever. But it did happen. He threw and ran for record yards and scored a shitload of TDs with very few mistakes made. If you can't get him performing better, maybe YOU aren't doing your best Gruden. I'd like to hear more about what Gruden is going to do to right this ship, and all I'm hearing is a bunch of vague BS from him. He sounds clueless as to what he thinks needs to be done if you ask me. 'Try harder' doesn't get it done in the NFL. And again, if he's looking at Griffin and thinking 'I can't fix this', then he needs to move on and find a QB he can be effective with and stop with the head games and his aggravation/escalation of the situation.

from God's mind to your words!!!

what Boone said!!!

the problem is he is tied to Griffin. if Griffin fails...Gruden fails. the only alternate strategy I can see
going forward would be a Colt like QB managing 7 to 8 victory seasons while we hope to stumbe upon a franchise QB. I don't think Gruden has that sort of time.

 

[DieselPwr44]

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Jay Gruden does that. If Robert isn't man enough to handle that, then he's not QB material, period.

This franchise has beat around the bush, candy coated things or tried to keep things secret and leak it out piece by piece.

And everyone sees how that has worked.

So Gruden is blunt and trying to cut the crap...which:

1: Is a drastic change from how it's been done here and....

2: IMO , is probably needed most to get rid of the BS.

I just wonder if John Deere makes a combine that big, because there's 20 years worth of crap to cut through.

 

[Boone]

Well, I know we all hate the image of the 'meddling owner', but if I'm Dan Snyder, I'm having dinner with Jay and Bruce Allen. I'm starting with 'I want to win. I want to win every year. I want this team to be a perennial playoff contender. And I want you here for the next 15 years making this happen. What is the plan and how are we going to turn this around? I will support you 100% in what you want to do.'

That is the only kind of partnership/relationship that has the potential to get this franchise back to a winning tradition. If Gruden's latest comments are aimed at Dan Snyder, or a passive/aggressive attempt to say publically 'you can make me start Griffin, but you can't make me like starting Griffin...' or anything approaching that kind of dysfunction, we are all doomed.

 

[Boone]

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Jay Gruden does that. If Robert isn't man enough to handle that, then he's not QB material, period.

This franchise has beat around the bush, candy coated things or tried to keep things secret and leak it out piece by piece.

And everyone sees how that has worked.

So Gruden is blunt and trying to cut the crap...which:

1: Is a drastic change from how it's been done here and....

2: IMO , is probably needed most to get rid of the BS.

I just wonder if John Deere makes a combine that big, because there's 20 years worth of crap to cut through.

It takes more than the straight talk express to get results DP, just ask President McCain. I like that Gruden doesn't mince words and tells it like it is. But this latest gutting of Griffin isn't necessary and accomplishes nothing but create more drama. I also don't see him being as brutal with others who aren't getting the job done on the field. There is an agenda beyond 'we need to get better at the QB position' here that speaks to some other dysfunction going on - or at least I believe there is. That's what I don't like.

 

[DieselPwr44]

It takes more than the straight talk express to get results DP, just ask President McCain. I like that Gruden doesn't mince words and tells it like it is. But this latest gutting of Griffin isn't necessary and accomplishes nothing but create more drama. I also don't see him being as brutal with others who aren't getting the job done on the field. There is an agenda beyond 'we need to get better at the QB position' here that speaks to some other dysfunction going on - or at least I believe there is. That's what I don't like.

I agree and if I were Jay Gruden,I'd walk into Foerster's office and tell him it's time to see what Long,Moses and Ribeye have to offer.
Then I'd walk down and put Haslett on notice.

Red Auerbach used to say, if I'm going to lose, at least I'm going to do it my way,so if I fail,at least there's no regret and it's honest.
He told an owner one time: " Hey! You brought me here to coach, don't you have a business to run? I don't tell you how to run your business,so don't tell me how to run my team!"

I hope Jay has that mind set.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

So here is the question. Does anyone expect Griffin or the Redskins to do anything tomorrow? I mean, it is the 49ers and they have a pretty good D. Aren't we all kind of expecting him to not have a good game anyway?