Sport
NFL Draft: Robert Griffin III Picked By Washington Redskins
Robert Griffin III with the Heisman trophy after becoming the 77th recipient of the award. PHOTO/Getty Images
There was no mistaking Robert Griffin III at the NFL draft. His ends of his dreadlocks settled onto a baby blue jacket. His checkered-patterned shirt was offset and a purplish tie with horizontal stripes.
And, of course, there were the socks. Burgundy and gold stripes, the colors of his new team, with the words “GO CATCH YOUR DREAM.”
Griffin was selected No. 2 overall Thursday night by the Washington Redskins, ending a monthlong courtship aimed at ending a revolving door at quarterback that hampered the franchise for two decades.
Griffin- the Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor is the Redskins’ highest pick since linebacker LaVar Arrington also went at No. 2 in 2000. Arrington made three Pro Bowls in six seasons in Washington.
Much, much more is expected from Griffin (RGIII).
The Redskins have started 21 quarterbacks over the last 19 seasons. Rex Grossman and John Beck combined to put together a 5-11 season last year, Washington’s fourth consecutive last-place finish in the NFC East. Coach Mike Shanahan won a pair of Super Bowls with John Elway and the Denver Broncos in the late 1990s, and he’s pegged his plans for a turnaround in the nation’s capital around the player who did the same for Baylor.
The Redskins traded three first-round picks and a second-rounder to the St. Louis Rams last month to move into the No. 2 position. Knowing that the Indianapolis Colts were planning to take Andrew Luck at No. 1, Shanahan and his staff focused on Griffin. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has already met with Griffin multiple times.
