Trading for Robert Griffin III Is the Right Move for the Washington Redskins

When Friday’s trade between the Washington Redskins and St. Louis Rams was announced, many automatically assumed the Redskins paid too much for the right to acquire the second overall pick in the upcoming draft.

But the Redskins made the right move.

For years, the Redskins have tried to draft or sign numerous quarterbacks to help return them to the success of their glory days in the late-'80s and early-'90s. Needless to say, it hasn’t worked.

The Redskins haven’t had a consistent passer since Mark Rypien in the 1991 and 1992 seasons. Although he led the Redskins to a Super Bowl win, Rypien was not a franchise quarterback.

Gus Frerotte and Trent Green had flashes of success in the '90s, but it didn’t last. In Green’s case, he was not re-signed after a breakout season in 1998. Not retaining Green was one of many mistakes that plagued the Redskins’ organization over the years.

In 1999, the Redskins sent a first-round pick to the Vikings for Brad Johnson. Johnson had an excellent 1999 season and was a missed field goal away from being in the NFC championship game. 1999 was the last season the Redskins won the NFC East.

Instead of building upon Johnson’s successful first season with the Redskins, new owner Daniel Snyder decided to go on a free-agent shopping spree of epic proportions. In that shopping spree, was enigmatic veteran quarterback Jeff George.

The failures of that free-agent class are legendary.

After an injury to Johnson midway through the season, George was inserted into the starting lineup. Although he only went 1-2 as a starter, Snyder was enamored with George’s howitzer of an arm and had then-coach Norv Turner replace Johnson upon his return.

After the 2000 season, Johnson departed the Redskins. In 2002, Johnson led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first and only Super Bowl win.

Heath Shuler was a top five pick in the 1994 draft. He will go down as one of the biggest busts in the history of the NFL draft.

The Redskins picked Patrick Ramsey at the end of round one in 2002 and traded future picks to acquire Jason Campbell in the first round of the 2005 draft. Both had varying degrees of success for the Redskins, Campbell more than Ramsey, but neither proved to be the long-term answer.

The last true franchise quarterback for the Redskins was Joe Theismann. Theismann’s last snap was in 1985 when Giants’ Hall-of-Famer Lawrence Taylor broke his leg. Since Theismann last played for the Redskins, the team has employed 26 different starting quarterbacks.

One of the main reasons Daniel Snyder wanted Mike Shanahan to be his head coach was Shanahan’s success with quarterbacks.

Shanahan has coached Hall of Famers John Elway and Steve Young. He developed Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler in his first three seasons in the NFL. Perhaps Shanahan’s best work came with Jake Plummer.

When acquiring Donovan McNabb before the 2010 season, Shanahan had hoped it would be a short-term fix. Shanahan’s plan was to rebuild the Redskins through the draft while McNabb would help the team remain competitive. Like most quarterback decisions in Washington, it failed miserably.

No need to discuss the quarterback play in 2011; it was abysmal.

Getting the quarterback position right this offseason was crucial for Shanahan. How could he sell his plan moving forward with another stopgap solution? Give Shanahan credit for not panicking like others did in 2011 (Tennessee, Minnesota) and reaching for a quarterback.

In picking a quarterback, a coach and the front office have to be on the same page that this prospect is absolutely the right player moving forward. Mistakes at the quarterback position can set teams back for years, as all Redskins fans know so well.

With all the hype surrounding Peyton Manning being a possible free agent, Redskins fans had their sights set on someone else; Robert Griffin III.

Griffin, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is seen by most as a can’t-miss prospect much like the quarterback expected to go first overall, Andrew Luck.

Yes, there is no such thing as a can’t-miss prospect. No matter how talented, intelligent, hard working a young man is, you can never account for circumstances unseen, e.g., injuries.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks; the Redskins were interested in the second overall selection, held by the Rams. Keep in mind; most trades where teams swap draft choices happen on draft day. This year, the circumstances were far more unique.

Instead of one elite quarterback prospect, there were two. And the Rams had no interest because in 2010 they selected a quarterback first overall (Sam Bradford). At the Combine and afterwards the Rams let everyone know, the pick was up for auction and they would prefer a deal sooner than later.

The Redskins, with money to spend, wanted to take care of the quarterback position prior to free agency so they could attract offensive weapons to build around their new quarterback, regardless of who he was.

So, in essence, the Rams and Redskins were ideal trading partners. Both wanted to make a deal that benefited both sides, and quickly.

When the compensation was announced, swapping first-round picks this year, a second-round pick in April, and first-round picks in 2013 and 2014, to acquire the rights to pick Griffin (presumably), many shook their heads.

Quite simply, this is a win-win situation for both teams, especially the Redskins.

In Griffin, they have found the person they believe will lead the team back to prominence, and there is no price too steep to pay for that.

With Eli Manning, Michael Vick, and Tony Romo in the NFC East, the Redskins knew they had to get an elite talent at the most important position on the field if they wanted to compete for the division.

For Shanahan, he has bought time for his rebuilding project and if he is right about Griffin, and many believe he will be, he solidifies his coaching legacy.

And those who think the Redskins gave up too much for Griffin, wonder what they will think one year from now, or five years from now?

There is no doubt; the Redskins hit a home run with their acquisition of the second overall pick. Griffin will be a star and free agents will clamor for the chance to play with him.

Redskins fans, sit back and enjoy the ride; Washington has a franchise quarterback.