And now for the latest in the Robert Griffin III speaks series, otherwise known as another opportunity for Redskins fans to swoon.
While meeting with reporters in New York after a promotional spot for Subway, Griffin showed once again that he can handle the press like a veteran. And that should serve him well when he finally becomes a Redskin.
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Some of his stuff was, well, comical. Like this: “I’ve still got to go beat out Rex Grossman.” Or this: “[Fans] aren’t confident because I’m coming. They’re confident because of what’s already there, and that’s a big thing.”
OK, on the first one: Yes, Griffin is right — he has to beat out Grossman. But let that roll off your tongue a couple times. It’s the right thing for him to say, but it also would be shocking if Griffin is not the starter in Week 1.
“You can’t come in thinking that you’re a big dog. I might be the second pick, I might be who the fans want as a quarterback and the coaches want as a quarterback but … Rex Grossman is the quarterback in Washington right now,” he told reporters. “I’ve got to prove to those guys that I’m there to work and I will; it’s who I am. I’ll be the first one in, last one out and it won’t be a clich? with me.”
Griffin also revealed that a weatherman in Waco, Texas, started referring to him as RGIII. Obviously, the nickname stuck.
He also should know that fans are confident because he’s coming. If Griffin weren’t Washington-bound, there wouldn’t exactly be a ton of optimism for what could happen in the future.
But, yes, he sounds as if he’s aware of the building excitement, which he saw up close at a card show in Chantilly last month.
“I saw at least seven variations of my name on a shirt, pictures and all this other stuff. Through Twitter, I’ve been able to see what the fans are saying,” he said. “They’re excited about me being their quarterback, but they’re excited about the team that the Redskins can be with me as their quarterback, not just because of me.”
– John Keim
