REPORT: Eagles interested in RGIII
Ever since Chip Kelly arrived in Philadelphia, analysts and fans alike have anticipated the day when he obtained a truly mobile quarterback: one who could run as well as he could pass.
Kelly started his tenure by tabbing the speedy Michael Vick as his 2013 starting quarterback over the stiffer Nick Foles. Eventually, Foles replaced Vick as the starter, and had a historic season of 27 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Foles led that Eagles team to its most recent postseason appearance, facilitating the offense even without the legs to run the proper read option.
Since Vick’s brief stint, Kelly has never had a mobile passer to work with. His efforts to trade for Marcus Mariotta have been well documented, and coupled with his and Cam Newton’s success this season, have emphasized Kelly’s preference in a running quarterback.
On NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Morning, the Eagles were mentioned as one of the likely landing spots (along with the Texans, Saints, and Cowboys) for the enigmatic Robert Griffin III, who has sat in Jay Gruden’s doghouse since his devastating ACL injury in 2012.
From NFL.com:
Per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, that list includes the Eagles, the Cowboys, the Texans and the Saints, or wherever current Saints head coach Sean Payton lands. Assuming Washington takes trade calls, or simply wiggles out of his 2016 option — which is guaranteed for injury only — and releases him, Griffin will escape a toxic situation and start his career over again.
The Eagles make perfect sense. Head coach Chip Kelly will tell anyone listening that the only way to get a top-tier quarterback outside of the draft in this league is to capitalize on an injury and move in. It’s what he did with Sam Bradford this season in an experiment that has yet to completely play out. It’s what Payton did with Brees and the Broncos did with Peyton Manning. Griffin’s movement skills would also bring a little more liveliness to Kelly’s offense. His injury history would be less concerning than Bradford’s, though not by much.
Discussed potential landing spots for RGIII when he’s released on @NFLGameDay: #Eagles, #Texans, #Saints (or wherever Payton is), #Cowboys
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2015
Griffin, who hasn’t looked nearly as spectacular as he did in the Redskins’ 2012 playoff run, could offer the speed element that the read-option offense requires. Mike Shannahan and the Redskins ran a version of it with Griffin, and the former Baylor Bear may find some of his rookie form if he returns to the same kind of offense.
With Mark Sanchez struggling this season, having quarterbacked the Eagles during the dreadful losing streak, the Eagles might look to Griffin as a better backup. More importantly, Kelly would appreciate the potential Griffin’s mobility would offer to his read-option scheme.
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