Washington Redskins Make Monster Trade to Waste Robert Griffin III's Talent

In need of a quarterback, the Washington Redskins pulled the trigger on a trade to net themselves one of the top passers in the NFL draft.

Again.

Proving once again that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, the Redskins mortgaged their future on Robert Griffin III, banking on his agility and intellect to help lead Washington back to Super Bowl glory.

And doomed is the right word. The Redskins will falter with Griffin the same way they flopped with Jason Campbell, floundered with Patrick Ramsey and failed with Heath Shuler.

That's because the Redskins keep sacrificing draft picks for the shiny bauble and can't bring in enough talent to do anything beyond ruin a good player's career.

Yes, I said ruin. Now, odds are none of those players would ever make the Hall of Fame. But ask yourself, "Would Ramsey have played better if he didn't spend most of the game on his back?" Opponents sacked Ramsey 71 times in 23 games with the Redskins, averaging better than three sacks per game.

Last year, the Redskins didn't do much better, allowing their quarterbacks to be sacked 41 times.
Ramsey didn't get much opportunity to start, either. Despite his first-round selection, Ramsey never started more than 11 games in a season for Washington, a fate shared by Heath Shuler. Shuler faced a quarterback controversy with Gus Frerotte only one season after being selected No. 3 overall in the 1994 draft.

Campbell at least received a couple years as the Redskins' unquestioned starter. Campbell actually played decently for Washington, but found himself playing for Oakland in 2010 after a draft-day trade.
This is the legacy left to Griffin. None of these quarterbacks had a team built around them to ensure their success, or even enough time to develop into a quality NFL quarterback. Now Griffin will follow in their shoes.

Washington lacks a legitimate rushing threat and only has Fred Davis and an aging Santana Moss for receivers. Their offensive line also leaves a lot to be desired.

Things aren't going to get better anytime soon, either.  The Redskins won't have a first-round pick again until 2015, and sacrificed their second-round pick this year as well.

And with the $36 million salary cap penalty leveled by the league for front-loading contracts in an uncapped 2010 season, Washington lacks the capital to sign those free agents needed to compensate for those quality rookies the Rams will get to select in coming years.

It's going to be a long start to Griffin's career in the NFL. Of the quarterbacks Washington's drafted, used and discarded, Griffin is probably the best of them all.

Here's hoping he'll go on to lead a successful career after leaving Washington. The way the Redskins keep doing business, he won't get a fair shake in the league until then.