Ahmad Brooks Says Robert Griffin III Shouldn't Be Playing

After dominating the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks voiced his opinion that Robert Griffin III shouldn't be playing. 

According to JP Finlay of CSN Washington, Brooks said of Griffin, "He's obviously a man and he makes his own decisions, but I personally don’t feel he should be playing right now."

Griffin finished the forgettable evening 17-of-27 for 127 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He ran the football six times for 22 yards and was sacked on four occasions as his team fell to 3-8 on the year.

Also per Finlay's report, Brooks elaborated on his comments about RG3: "He's a man, he has the heart of a warrior and is going to go out there and play regardless of the circumstance. Everybody can see it. Everybody can see it. He shouldn't be playing."

Brooks may have a point.

Rotoworld noted that the Redskins called just one designed run for Griffin against the 49ers and that he has rushed for just 33.4 yards per game this season with zero touchdowns.

Here's a comparison of RG3's two NFL campaigns:

	Completion %	Yards Per Attempt	TD %	INT %	Carries	Yards Per Carry	Sacks Per Game
2012	65.6	8.1	5.1	1.3	120	6.8	2.0
2013	59.9	7.1	3.5	2.8	72	5.1	2.4

He's regressed in every area, especially as a runner—the aspect of his game that made him a dangerous dual-threat quarterback as a rookie.

While Washington's offensive line, lack of skill-position weapons and porous defense should be factored into Griffin's dip in overall production this season, we might be unknowingly downplaying the negative impact lingering pain from his surgically repaired knee could be having on his abilities.

The Redskins have an assortment of issues on both sides of the ball, but everything starts with their franchise quarterback.

He hasn't been the same player he was in 2012, but maybe that's because his knee isn't the same either.

While the Redskins have yet to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, they're close to being officially out of the race.

At 3-8, the third-worst record in the NFC, they wouldn't be foolish to shift their focus to next season.

Here's a look at their remaining schedule:

• Week 13: vs. New York Giants
• Week 14: vs. Kansas City Chiefs 
• Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons
• Week 16: vs. Dallas Cowboys 
• Week 17: at New York Giants

With three divisional games left on the docket and suddenly an entire coaching staff on the hot seat, there's a decent chance Mike Shanahan will stick with the quarterback he sold the farm for during the 2012 draft.

But would that be best for the future of the organization?

Probably not.

After winning the Heisman Trophy from relative obscurity and taking home the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2012, Griffin has plenty of confidence. But it's currently being shaken by the subpar product around him.

Some may believe RG3 battling through this adversity would be an invaluable learning experience. But if he continues to take hits, Washington would be putting its greatest investment at an unnecessarily high risk.

The last thing the Redskins need is Griffin suffering another injury during "meaningless" action in December.

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