2012 NFL Draft: Donovan McNabb's Concern About RGIII in Washington Is Justified

NBCSports.com has reported that ex-Redskins quarterback flop Donovan McNabb believes Robert Griffin III could endure similar struggles in D.C. Whether you like the source of the concern or not, McNabb's critique does have merit.

This is not an indictment of Griffin's particular talents, but it is a more a doubt about how well those specific skills will mesh with Mike Shanahan's system. McNabb highlights a similar point of concern when he asserts that Shanahan makes a quarterback fit his scheme, rather than tailoring an offense to the strengths of his quarterback.

This is a criticism of Shanahan long held by this author and one that has manifested itself more than once during his tenure in the NFC East.

With Rex Grossman at the helm in 2011, Shanahan refused to modify the playbook to compensate for Grossman's deficiencies. Despite his penchant for turnovers, Mike and Kyle Shanahan continually let Grossman air it out on a regular basis with the inevitable conclusion.

Often times it appears as though the Shanahan viewpoint is that the scheme and the playbook are good enough to make anyone look good. Any issues that arise are not a case of system unsuitability, but rather the incompetence of the individual player.

This has to be a concern with Griffin if, as widely expected, the Redskins select him. He operated a spread offense at Baylor, incompatible with the more precise structure of the Shanahan offense.

Many will argue spread quarterbacks are making easy transitions to the pros, citing Cam Newton and Sam Bradford as prime examples. However, the Carolina Panthers willingly adapted and developed a scheme to fit what Newton does best.

Similarly, the jury is still out on Bradford. His successful campaign was prompted by a safe, conservative offense designed by Pat Shurmur. The game plan drew criticism from many, but allowed Bradford to make plays and limited his mistakes.

This kind of player-dictated system has not been a part of Shanahan's history. His offense is an exact, nuanced and deliberate scheme.

If Griffin plays with the same tempo required in the quick-break, spread attack and looks to make plays on the fly, he could risk incurring the wrath of Shanahan. The coach has been notoriously intolerant of freelancing.

One aspect lost in this debate is Griffin himself. The Heisman Trophy winner is regularly praised for his football intelligence and that kind of acumen could spark a quick adaptation to the Shanahan offense.

History shows that Griffin will need those famed smarts, as the offense won't be tweaked to fit him. The process will require patience from a coach not often associated with that particular trait.

Shanahan has butted heads with players over scheme before in Washington. Yet the idea of him doing the same with a player he has staked his own and the Redskins future on is a truly frightening scenario.

McNabb may have personal motivation to proclaim that Griffin won't fit the Shanahan template, but that doesn't mean he's wrong. Writing off his words merely as a sign of bitterness is too easy and holds no relevance for the implications of Griffin as the Redskins quarterback.