Redskins sources have recently announced that rookie sensation Robert Griffin III (RGIII) is to be limited in terms of how many quarters he is allowed to play this season. Says GM Bruce Allen: "We feel that Robert is a valuable piece of our football team, a standout on the roster, and one of our most exciting and electrifying players overall, particularly because he is a rookie of such high caliber and surrounded by so much hype. As such, we at the Washington Redskins organization feel that for the greater long term success of our franchise, we should limit Robert to 35 quarters, so that he doesn't overwork himself or risk potential season ending injury. We have been discussing this issue since we drafted him, and while we recognize that the fans will not be happy with this decision, we can only hope that they can recognize that we do this with only the best interests of Robert, the Redskins, and even the fans at heart".
Evidently inspired by the Washington Nationals brilliant plan of ending ace pitcher Stephen Strasburg's season after roughly 160 innings, the Redskins have taken to heart the underlying message. If you want your exciting young stars to have long, healthy careers, your best move as a franchise is to keep their playing time down during their first few seasons. As perennially lambasted owner Daniel Snyder puts it, "we firmly believe that the Nationals have the right of it, to bench Strasburg just before the late season playoff stretch. Our goal of 35 quarters, a number we collectively decided upon for Robert, is to keep him active long enough to give the fans hope for the playoffs, but not long enough to actually ensure any postseason victories".
While the organization may truly have RGIII's long term health issues at heart, fans are understandably upset. Hear it from them:
"WHAT THE F**K SNYDER!!! WE FINALLY HAVE A GOOD QB AND YOU DECIDE TO BENCH HIM. THIS IS WHY WE F**KING SUCK. SCREW YOU FOR ALWAYS GIVING US HOPE AND NEVER FOLLOWING THROUGH. I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL!!!
- SkinsGirl21
"The Washington Redskins organization is without a doubt one of the worst run football clubs in America. The sheer fact that they would ever consider something as blatantly backwards as benching your star rookie just in time for playoffs says all I need to know about them: Under Mr. Snyder, they never have, and never will be true winners"
-Matt B.
"Lolz skinz always suk will never win nething rg3 done GO BOYZ!!! rOmo always wins never benched Best team evr"
-Cletus
Of course, despite the rampant fan outrage against the organization, they will, of course stand firm in their decision. Fantasy players beware, and get ready to dump Griffin as of week 10, because he will not be playing. It appears that this is now a ritual of passing in Washington sports, as first Strasburg and now Griffin are being shut down while healthy purely in the name of long term health. The Washington Capitals have already announced that they are currently planning on following suit with their first round picks for the next several years. If this strategy pans out, who knows? We may see this spread beyond our nation's capital, and become a true American sports tradition.
Griffin himself could not be reached for comment as of yet, but it is generally understood that he fully respects the Redskin's decision and will not complain when he is shut down nine games into the season. Redskins sources say that backup Rex Grossman is "psyched" to get the chance to lead the Skins to the playoffs later this year. Washington fans, beware.
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