Woody: Patience, please, with the Washington Redskins' QB's knee

Associated Press

Tennessee running back Chris Johnson (28) and wide receiver Kendall Wright (13) talk with Washington QB Robert Griffin III (10) after a preseason game Thursday.

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Check out video from Redskins training camp in Richmond.

Paul Woody | The Richmond Times-Dispatch

Sunday, August 11, 2013

RICHMOND — If Robert Griffin III does not start the Washington Redskins’ first regular-season game, would that be so bad?

Would the world stop spinning on its axis?

Would the Redskins’ season be doomed? Would Kirk Cousins claim Griffin’s spot in the starting lineup?

No, no, no and no.

Griffin is the Redskins’ star quarterback, and he has been everything advertised. He’s a dynamic player, an accurate passer, an outstanding runner — not just for a quarterback — and a player who makes everyone around him more effective.

The Redskins want him in the lineup. Over the course of a 16-game season, they need him in the lineup.

And that’s the point. If there is the slightest question on the status of Griffin’s surgically repaired right knee before the season-opening game against Philadelphia on Sept. 9, Griffin should sit.

If he feels fatigue in his right leg, the Redskins should delay his return. If there is any soreness or a limp, Griffin’s starting date should be later, not sooner.

Griffin will hate it. He’ll protest. He’ll say he upheld his end of the bargain and was patient during the preseason, and now the Redskins should uphold theirs and have him in the starting lineup.

But the Redskins are not playing a one-game season. The result of the first game is important, but not as important as having Griffin for games two through 16.

And Griffin isn’t in this for just the 2013 season.

This week he admitted, “the goal is for a long career.”

He also added, “and to play Week 1.”

The former is essential to the continued success of the Redskins. The latter is not.

The Eagles are an NFC East rival, and a team’s record within its division is important in tie-breaking procedures.

But if Griffin isn’t 100 percent, he shouldn’t play against the Eagles. Cousins has directed the offense the entire offseason. He’s 1-0 as a starter in the regular season and is capable of becoming 2-0.

Griffin is not returning from a sprained ankle or cracked rib. He had reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. It was the second major surgery on the knee.

Griffin is an exceptional athlete, even by NFL and exceptional athlete standards. And he knows it.

He also knows Adrian Peterson, running back for the Minnesota Vikings, came back from major knee surgery in nine months.

In some ways, the worst thing that happened for the recovery from ACL surgery was Peterson’s remarkably quick return and great performance in 2012 as he rushed for 2,097 yards.

A new standard was set, and it might not be a healthy standard.

Peterson could be the exception, not the new rule for ACL comebacks.

“The hardest part was just knowing that everyone was going to doubt me, knowing that everyone was going to try to hold me back,” Griffin said. “I had to look at it as if I don’t believe in myself, no one will. And I know my teammates believe in me as a player, and they want me to be out there healthy. That’s what I’m trying to do for them.”

No one doubted Griffin would recover and play this season. The issue is when he should play.

The best thing Griffin can do for his teammates, coaches and himself is make sure playing in the first game of the season is not a deterrent to the rest of the season.

If there’s the slightest doubt on anyone’s part, Cousins should start and Griffin should wait.

It’s not critical that Griffin be the Redskins’ quarterback against the Eagles.

It is vital for the franchise that he plays quarterback for most of the 2013 season and many seasons beyond.

Monday, August 12, 2013