Jerry Jones Says He’s ‘A Fan of RGIII’

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones told NFL Network’s NFL AM on Nov. 26 that he is “a fan of RGIII.” Robert Griffin III, the Washington Redskins quarterback, will not start in the Week 13 game against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 30. Colt McCoy gets the nod for Washington.

Now it can be said. Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones is a fan of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

This was what Jones declared on NFL Network’s “NFL AM” on Nov. 26, per NFL.com’s Conor Orr: 

“Robert Griffin III /4/not have any fans left in Washington, but there are still plenty within his own division.

“Speaking this morning on NFL Network’s NFL AM, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gushed about the quarterback, basing a large part of his memory on a crucial Week 17 game when the Cowboys fell to Washington back in 2012. 

“Griffin had 100 passing yards and 63 rushing yards.

“‘Well, I’m a fan of RGIII,’ Jones said. ‘Right on this field two years ago, or maybe it was three seasons ago, he put on a show and had a game that just floored me. And they won, and they won in large part because of his play at quarterback. I thought, ‘My goodness, and we’re going to have to be playing this guy for years and years.’ And so he’s got it. 

“‘Once you see a player do it, especially if you see him do it two or three times, you know he can do it. And of course he’s a driven young man. I’m a big admirer of RGIII.’

“The big question from all the Griffin fallout will be whether or not his demise was system-based, or whether Kyle Shanahan was truly a brilliant offensive coordinator. 

“Griffin was an electric quarterback who had plenty of fans suggesting he was better than Andrew Luck. At one point, that was viewed as a difficult decision. 

“But now, it seems like there will be plenty of admirers coming out of the woodwork if Washington indeed tries to get rid of him. Could Griffin succeed Romo and star on Jones’ field again?

“We doubt it, but we don’t doubt plenty of executives discussing the possibility of reforming RGIII and giving him a second chance. Jones’ memory of that 2012 season is one many people will be willing to chase.” 

For his part, Redskins head coach Jay Gruden told ESPN’s John Keim on Wednesday he benched Griffin in favor of backup Colt McCoy because of the former’s lack of confidence and indecisiveness:

“Redskins coach Jay Gruden said his decision to bench Robert Griffin III comes down to a simple reason: The team keeps losing, and the young quarterback looks indecisive and hasn’t played as confidently as he once did.

“I’m a big admirer of RGIII.”- Jerry Jones: http://t.co/h0T2TTKvqr pic.twitter.com/g2VklrB9Fo— SundayNight Football (@SNFonNBC) November 26, 2014

“But what it means for Griffin’s future remains uncertain, and Gruden said that part hasn’t been determined.

“Gruden decided on Tuesday to start Colt McCoy this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts and informed the quarterbacks. The Redskins have won only one of Griffin’s five starts this season, although in one of them — a 41-10 win over Jacksonville — he left in the first quarter with a dislocated ankle. The injury sidelined him for six games. 

“During that time, McCoy led the Redskins to a comeback win over (the) Tennessee (Titans) and started in an upset win at Dallas. Washington has since lost three straight games, all started by Griffin, in dropping to 3-8.

“Gruden said Griffin needs more seasoning and that it’s best for him to do so on the bench. Gruden said that he doesn’t mean Griffin is done in Washington. It would be hard to get much value for him if the Redskins traded him in the offseason — one executive said Griffin might fetch a late-round pick.

“Griffin is under contract for one more season. The Redskins have to decide by /4/3 whether they want to offer him a fifth-year extension.

“‘I’m not putting the blame all on Robert,’ Gruden told Indianapolis reporters during a conference call. ‘It seems like that when you make a change at the quarterback position. Robert has done some good things at quarterback, but I just think he needs a little bit more time in this system with the verbiage and the plays to sit back, take a step back and learn, and when he gets back in there he’ll be a lot more decisive, hopefully, and ready to roll.

“‘But right now, I just felt moving forward for Indianapolis that Colt would give us a better chance this week.’

“Said Griffin as he left the locker room Wednesday: I’m fine. I’ll be strong.'” 

Griffin has thrown for 7,272 yards, 38 interceptions and 20 interceptions on a 90.8 passer rating in 33 career regular-season games for the Washington Redskins, per ESPN stats. 

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