Daily Madden: Benching Robert Griffin III Is A Confusing Move
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - It has been a tough year for the Washington Redskins and the season seems to be taking an even stranger turn this week, with multiple media outlets reporting that Head Coach Mike Shanahan is benching quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Backup Kirk Cousins is expected to start Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, with Rex Grossman serving as his backup. Griffin is expected to be inactive for the game.
Daily Madden: Benching Robert Griffin III Is A Confusing Move
John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew that the whole situation is confusing to him.
"It's just a mess. I really just don't understand it. When the going gets tough, when you're having problems, you don't quit," he said. "And it seems like there's been some quit here. Everything was okay as long as they had a chance to make the playoffs and as long as everything was going well. Anyone can do anything when everything is going well. When it's not, that's when you have to stay with it and get it turned around."
At his weekly news conference on Monday, Shanahan said he would consider sitting Griffin the rest of the season to keep him healthy. But the quarterback has played in every game this season and by all accounts from those covering the team, is still healthy enough to play, which makes the move an even bigger head-scratcher.
Madden said reports of Coach Shanahan contemplating quitting at the end of last season because of the relationship between Griffin and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, which most likely also played a role in the move.
"I think that when you look at all the pieces, Mike Shanahan, his son Kyle Shanahan, the offensive coordinator, the owner Dan Snyder, the player RG III, I think you have to throw them all in there and they are all a part of this one way or another," Madden said. "It is just something I have never seen before."
Not only does the move exemplify the upheaval within the Redskins organization, but Coach Madden said it could also have wide-ranging effects. By benching his supposed best quarterback, Washington's opponents could be at a huge advantage for the rest of the season, which could affect the playoff races.
Shanahan would receive the remaining money in his contract, worth $7 million per year, if he is fired.
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 am Mondays and Fridays on KCBS during the NFL season.
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