The talk around the NFL is that there's turmoil brewing in Washington Redskins' camp. The debate everywhere is that coach Mike Shanahan might be rushing to get star quarterback, Robert Griffin III back on the field too quickly. So let's say, Shanahan listens to the comments and keeps RG3 off the field, do the Redskins have a chance?
The answer is yes, because the Redskins have threats on the ground and via the air. Though RG3 gets a lot of the credit for the Redskins' success last year, Alfred Morris played hero in a few games. In 13 of the 16 Redskin regular season games, Morris finished the game as the leading rusher. RG3 finished as the top passer only three times.
The most noticeable game where Morris became THE difference was in the final game of the year when he rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns. RG3 had a terrible game, going 9/18 with just 100 yards passing. The Redskins were able to put the ball on the ground willingly and Morris was able to lead them to victory. When RG3 couldn't find the end zone with his arm against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris rushed for 113 yards with a score. Against the second game against the New York Giants, RG3 had a decent game, going for 163 passing yards and a touchdown, but it was Morris who led the charge, rushing for 124 yards.
If RG3 is truly injured and the Redskins need him to sit out, Kirk Cousins was pretty dominant in his only start last year. Let's not count the playoffs, that was an unfortunate situation and Cousins had the enter in a pressure situation against one of the best defenses in football, the Seattle Seahawks. He took advantage of his only start in 2012, completing 26/37 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Cleveland Browns.
Would the Redskins be as terrified without RG3, of course not. In a way, he is the reason why Morris is so successful. The pistol formation fools defenders and both RG3 and Morris' chemistry was simply foolish last season. However, if the Redskins want their investment on RG3 to work out for the long term, they might want to reconsider giving him some extra time to recuperate. There is no reason to rush RG3 if they have a decent backup and a great running back.
