The Robert Griffin III era seemingly began in the D.C. area Friday night, when news emerged that the Redskins had made a blockbuster trade to move up to No. 2 in the upcoming NFL Draft.
It instantly made the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who played in Waco, Texas, the most popular athlete in Washington — and he hasn’t even been selected yet.
Three days later, all that excitement was gone, replaced by angst after the NFL said it was taking $36 million in cap space from the Redskins over two years. How would the Redskins surround their new quarterback with a high-powered offense now?
Not to worry. There’s always tomorrow.
As soon as NFL free agency began Tuesday, the Redskins signed two receivers, Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan.
So just like that, optimism was back.
All this happened in a matter of days nearly two months before Griffin actually can become a member of the Redskins.
In fact, two of the biggest stars here in the District have yet to play a regular-season game for their respective teams.
Bryce Harper was on the cover of Sports Illustrated two years before the Nationals drafted him in 2010 at the age of 18. When national media members make the pilgrimage to Viera, Fla., to write about the Nationals, their attention is focused on Harper first and foremost.
That can change quickly — in 140 characters or less.
There was nothing bigger in baseball two years ago than the debut of pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the District. Arguably, you could make the case Strasburg was the first sports social media star.
Yet a year out of the spotlight while he recovered from Tommy John surgery has made him almost an afterthought to Harper, who spent all of last year in the minor leagues.
Surely that type of hype doesn’t last.
Four years ago, Alex Ovechkin was winning every trophy the NHL had to offer, a rock star who appeared on his way to leading the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup dynasty.
Now he’s a cautionary tale with questions about his commitment, influences and future here. He’s 26 years old.
Then there’s John Wall, the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards two years ago. Wall received a ridiculous red carpet show before he ever played a game.
Now there’s speculation Wall’s career is suffering irreparable damage because of the Wizards’ dysfunction and that he will try to get out of town as soon as he can.
Hopefully Robert Griffin III won’t feel the same way once he arrives.
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at [email protected].
