5 Things the Washington Redskins Must Do to Help RG3 Succeed

For the Washington Redskins, it looks like there might not be any drama over whom they will be taking with the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Robert Griffin III—or, more specifically, his agent—said no to the Indianapolis Colts when they asked him for a private workout. RG3 has apparently made up his mind that he wants to be drafted by the Redskins.

Such is fantastic news for Redskins fans everywhere. What would be even better for Redskins' fans is if RG3 leads the 'Skins to a winning record and a return to the playoffs in 2012. What can the Redskins do to ensure RG3 succeeds? I can think of five things.

Bolster the Offensive Line—Please

Ever since free agency started, Redskins fans have been patiently waiting for the team to address the offensive line.

After all, this is the same offensive line that gave up 41 sacks last year and also allowed its quarterbacks to be hit a stunning 108 times.

We waited patiently as the 'Skins went after a new receiving corps and we understood this was a critical need to address with a rookie QB about to take the reins.

We then watched as the 'Skins lost out on marquee offensive linemen like Carl Nicks, Ben Grubbs and Eric Winston.

Yesterday, the last of the free-agent offensive linemen who could have helped the 'Skins, Demetrius Bell, signed with the rival Eagles. The 'Skins had previously brought Bell in for a workout but signing him never happened.

Sure, the Eagles had a bigger need for Bell after losing Jason Peters for the season. Nevertheless, the Redskins had a window of opportunity before Peters injury where, had they really wanted to, they could have made a better push to secure Bell's services.

Alas, it did not happen.

If RG3 is going to succeed in his rookie season, the Redskins must find a way to protect him and the best way to do this is by bolstering the offensive line in the draft. Free agency is no longer an option and the Bell signing today might make drafting an offensive lineman with the 69th overall pick almost mandatory.

There have been many mock drafts presented here at B/R, one of them authored by yours truly. In my mock draft, I have the 'Skins drafting an offensive tackle at No. 69 and then taking a guard at No. 102.

Now, more than ever, I maintain that this is something the 'Skins have to do if they want to give RG3 the best chance to succeed. Any of the offensive linemen I mentioned in my mock draft (Mitchell Schwartz, Bobbie Massey, Senio Kelemete) would fit in nicely with what the Redskins are going to need to do to add depth, strength and talent to the offensive line.

With his great speed and accuracy, it is doubtful RG3 will be getting sacked 41 times this season. However, he should not have to run for his life just to have a chance to make a play. This is why bolstering the offensive line needs to be a huge priority for the 'Skins if they hope for RG3 to be successful in 2012.

Lean Heavily on the Running Game

If the Redskins want RG3 to succeed in 2012, they need to take steps to make sure he does not have to do it all. One of the best ways to do that is to lean heavily on one of the more underrated backfields in the NFL.

Roy Helu and Evan Royster showed a lot of promise in 2011. If the 'Skins bolster their offensive line, not only will they provide RG3 with some much-needed protection, but they will also make the running game more effective. The more effective the running game, the less RG3 will have to win games on the strength of his arm and legs alone. A more effective running game will obviously make play action a bigger threat and will also enable the 'Skins to control the tempo of the game more to their liking.

Helu and Royster could very well be the one-two punch the 'Skins need to keep some of the pressure off RG3 and to enable him to feel more at ease going up against the tough defenses he will face in his rookie season.

Mold the Offensive Scheme to RG3's Strengths

While most Redskins fans felt that Donovan McNabb's mini tirade last week about how RG3 would not fit in with the Redskins was just a case of sour grapes, he did raise a valid point.

For RG3 to be successful in 2012, the Redskins need to take the necessary steps to mold the offensive scheme to his strengths and this falls squarely on Coach Mike Shanahan's shoulders. If he takes a hard-headed approach to the offensive scheme and adopts a philosophy of trying to make RG3 play within a scheme not suited to his strengths, it will be the same as trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

To be fair, much of Coach Shanahan's offensive philosophy plays to RG3's strengths anyway. Bootlegs and roll outs are what the 'Skins want to do and RG3 does that very well. As such, there might not be a ton of offensive tweaking that needs to occur.

Also, the 'Skins took the necessary steps to bring in some offensive weapons to have at RG3's disposal, such as Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan.

Still, the 'Skins need to play within themselves as does RG3. Molding the offensive scheme and strategy to RG3's strengths, as opposed to trying to run a scheme that exploits his weaknesses, will be essential if the 'Skins want RG3 to succeed in 2012.

Improve the Kicking Game

What could be more demoralizing to a rookie quarterback than to lead his team into scoring position against a tough NFL defense, only to have his kicker miss a field goal and waste all that effort?

No matter how great RG3 might actually be, no one really expects him to score a touchdown on every offensive possession. There are going to be times when the offense comes up short. Nevertheless, a rookie quarterback should have confidence that in those circumstances his kicker will still be able to put some points on the board.

Too many times over the past couple of seasons has Graham Gano missed a crucial kick and it has cost the Redskins a game. The second Dallas game last year is one that still eats at me.

For RG3 to be successful in 2012, the 'Skins need to improve their kicking game and make it more consistent. RG3 will have enough pressure on him this year without having to try too hard to get touchdowns because he feels he can't rely on his kicker.

In the mock draft I wrote about, I suggested the 'Skins should draft a kicker with their sixth-round pick. Drafting a kicker like Georgia's Blair Walsh would be a solid, low-risk move. Let a young, hungry and talented kicker challenge Gano for the job and see if, perhaps, an improvement to the kicking game can be made.

However, failing to convert good scoring opportunities into points will almost certainly have a negative impact upon RG3.

That is something the 'Skins would be wise to avoid.

Exercise Patience While Maintaining a Commitment

Whether RG3 turns out the be the greatest thing since sliced bread remains to be seen.

The reality is that he is a rookie quarterback. He is going to make mistakes. He is going to throw interceptions, or put the ball on the ground, or make a bad read.

It is going to happen. And when it does, Coach Shanahan must exercise patience while still maintaining a commitment to his rookie quarterback.

It is uncertain whether RG3 will be named the starter for the season opener. What does seem certain, however, is that he will be the starter at some point in 2012. And once he is named the starter, the 'Skins need to stick with him through all the ups and downs he will likely experience.

They cannot have a quarterback carousel as they did last year. If they do, they will most certainly damage the confidence of their stud quarterback.

Of course, if RG3 throws three picks in the first half, he should be pulled. However, after that game is over, there cannot be any controversy about who will start the next game.

For RG3 to be successful in 2012, he has to know the coaching staff believes in him and believes in him enough that they will stay committed to him even when he has a bad day.

The good days for RG3 will likely be much more frequent than the bad, but when he does have an off day, the 'Skins need to exercise the same patience that the Colts exercised with Peyton Manning all those years ago.

After all, the Colts' patience with Manning paid off pretty well.