Could the St. Louis Rams Trade for Robert Griffin III?
By Erik Lambert
September 16, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) shakes hands with Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) after a game at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Redskins 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oh the irony in the air is palpable. The St. Louis Rams lost their starting quarterback. Robert Griffin III is on thin ice in Washington. Could the incredible happen?
Sam Bradford done for the year and likely done with the Rams
Tearing an ACL is something no sports player should have to go through, but it happens. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford endured it for the second season in a row when he went down against Cleveland in week three of the preseason. The 2014 campaign is officially over for the former 2010 first overall pick, and it may be over for him in St. Louis. Their patience has undoubtedly worn out after this latest setback. Despite boasting a talented roster, they remain handcuffed at quarterback due to their willingness to give him repeated chances. Now they either must rely on veteran Shaun Hill or seek out an answer elsewhere via free agency or a trade.
Kirk Cousins putting serious heat on RGIII
Which brings everything full circle. Most people know by now the talent level of the Rams roster got its greatest boost in 2012 when they gave away the rights to quarterback Robert Griffin III in exchange for a host of high draft choices in including three 1st rounders. They did so banking on the idea that Bradford would be their guy. That no longer seems the case. Meanwhile, RGIII has endured his own problems with the Washington Redskins. After an outstanding rookie season, he fell back to earth last season following a knee injury of his own. He’s healthy now but no longer enjoying the sweet fruits of being an untouchable 1st round pick. While he’s been struggling to regain his lost form, backup quarterback Kirk Cousins has shown marked improvement across the board, and it’s bearing out on the field in the preseason.
Combine that with Griffin’s lack of production and it’s creating a buzz that perhaps the Redskins should give Cousins a legitimate shot at starting. Were that to happen, it could create a very real possibility for RGIII to get traded, with the same St. Louis Rams that passed on him two years ago as the top shopper.
Is the NFL that crazy?