RG3 has a backer in London Fletcher
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles during the first quarter of game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher knows a thing or two about leadership, since he’s regarded as one of the game’s most valuable leaders. He’s built a well-deserved reputation as a guy whose intangibles are off-the-charts, so he has a pretty good idea of which players deserve praise for their leadership. Fletcher is also not one to sugar-coat things, so he won’t give praise that isn’t deserved.
That’s why it’s so interesting to hear Fletcher stand behind second-year quarterback Robert Griffin III, who has received many questions regarding his leadership. People believe that Griffin is selfishly putting himself above the team and not being accountable enough for his mistakes, but it often seems that all of these concerns have been whipped out of thin air. As RG3 put it best, (paraphrasing here) it’s easier to criticize a team and it’s quarterback if that team is losing. I mean, where were these concerns in the Redskins magical playoff season last year? Exactly, there were none.
According to CSN Washington, London Fletcher has nothing but praise for RG3 as a leader, “This is a great young leader, man. Sometimes, I don’t think people really appreciate how great this kid is because, I know, last year he stepped on the scene and he did so much stuff. He was asked to be a savior of a franchise that hadn’t had a franchise quarterback in 20 some-odd years. He came in and you talk about giving up all the draft picks and all the things they did to bring him in, and he handled the expectations and even exceeded those. He carried himself in a manner that’s very rare [for] young guys [to] do. He has great leadership qualities.”
Do not take this effusive praise from Fletcher lightly, and Griffin did an incredible job of staying composed as a rookie and playing at a high level. He has elite physical tools, and it’s far too early to start turning on him. And I mean, there have been times this season when he’s played like he did last season. Colin Kaepernick is suffering from an even bigger sophomore slump (considering the team around him is a whole lot better), so I think small quote and grains of truth have been exaggerated when it comes to the concerns regarding RG3; it’s important not to take things out of context.