RG Keep: What Could GM Scot McCloughan be Thinking?

By Anthony McCree II

Two things happened yesterday surrounding Robert Griffin III and Washington that could be described as unexpected to many people. First, when the teams final 53 man roster was announced...Robert Griffin III was actually on it! Secondly, The former NFL Rookie of the Year is expected to not even be the second string quarterback, not only, is he behind Kirk Cousins but he's also behind Colt McCoy on the depth chart.

Clearly, this further increases the likelihood that Skins fans won't see Rg3 play at all this season. Most would say, that this is a clear indictment on the ability of Robert Griffin to consistently succeed within their offense or any other.

Many others, may even say that it's now more clearer than ever that the relationship between Head Coach Jay Gruden and the young quarterback is strained. That everyone within the organization has most likely "had it" with Robert and for the good of the franchise....it's just best to move on. "Cut him, trade him, whatever you do...get him outta here!" Has been a popular sentiment among fans and non-fans alike.

All those things could be true. These actions by the franchise could be a sign of things to come and at this juncture... how can anyone see this situation differently?

I really don't know, but, that's exactly what I intend to do in this piece, examine this situation between the franchise and quarterback from a completely different angle than most people may be taking at this point and time.

Let's consider the biggest change of the off-season in DC. Scot McCloughan, former VP of Player Personnel and General Manager of the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-2009, former Seattle Seahawks Senior Personnel Executive from 2010-2013...is now the General Manager in Washington.

First of all, The 49ers and Seahawks became like two twin brothers constantly battling for a mother's love and attention. Even if they are fraternal...it's very easy to see, at least on the surface, that these two teams were related. Both teams, built on the concepts of having great defenses that are extremely tough to run on, extremely tough pass on, and will run the football down the other teams throat, with quarterbacks who will rarely "lose the game for you."

With that being said...what is the likelihood that Scot McCloughan is building the roster of the team he's currently working for in the same fashion? If you really think about it...How would you answer that question? I know right, easy money...it's like a 99.9 percent chance that's he's doing exactly that!

Just look at what has happened early on in his tenure with Washington:

• Bill Callahan, former Offensive Coordinator and Offensive line Coach of the Dallas Cowboys was brought over as the Offensive Line Coach and to have great influence on the offensive scheme and play calling. His blueprint is growth of an Offensive Line and running the football as Dallas did with Demarco Murray last year. Sounds familiar...

• Joe Barry, was brought over from the San Diego Chargers to be the Defensive Coordinator in Washington. Barry's goal was to go from a more traditional two-gap version of the 3-4 defense, to now, the increasingly popular one-gap hybrid defense that allows more guys on the defensive front to attacker the passer, while also, using more cover 3 coverage. Similar to whom? Seattle Seahawks are the first team that come to mind.

To go along with the coaches I mentioned, let's look at the acquisition of a players:

• Defensive End Ricky Jean-Francois, Safety Jeron Johnson, Corner back Chris Culliver, were all signed as free agents. Saftey Dashon Goldston was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay. All of these players share a common bond... they all have roots that tie them to Scot McCloughan from either the 49ers or Seahawks.

• Let's look at the 2015 NFL Draft, Washington selected 10 Players, 7 of which could have an impact in the near or late future on the offensive or defense. Most notably, being Brandon Schreff a Rt/G Prospect in the first round, 5th overall. Then, there is Preston smith, a versatile OLB/DE selected in the second round...increasing the emphasis of impact players in the trenches. They even drafted Matt Jones, RB, in the third round, a guy many compare to Marshawn Lynch of ....the Seattle Seahawks... Scot McCloughan included.....you see this right?

Okay, there's a pattern that you may or may not have noticed that has seemed to develop here. So I'm just going to ask...If Scot McCloughan has up to this point attempted to build the football team with so many similarities from coaching philosophies, players signed as free agents, to the type of players drafted...why wouldn't he be thinking similarly in terms of the Quarterback position?

Between the 49ers and Seahawks there have been three Starting Quarterbacks that Scot McCloughan has a direct or indirect hand in drafting. 

First, Alex Smith, drafted by San Fran when Scot was VP of Personnel. Then, there's Russell Wilson, Drafted while McCloughan was the Senior Personnel Executive in Seattle. Then even, Colin Kapernick, whom the 49ers drafted almost a year after McCloughan's departure, could also be considered a result of McCloughan's influence, even if just slightly, because of Scot's history with 49ers GM Trent Baalke, who originally joined that team as a Western Regional Scout in 2005. Obviously, He had to learn something from his GM who was Scot McCloughan at the time.

All these Quarterbacks, share similarities and have their differences as well, but all three share some vital traits that help a team greatly when they are "on top of their game". They all fit the mold of a quarterback that can make a play with his arms, his legs, and can at the least be a teams "game manager".

When you look at Washington's roster, which Quarterback that is currently on the final 53 most closely resembles that type of player? Is it 1st stringer Kirk Cousins, 2nd stringer Colt McCoy, or third stringer Robert Griffin III aka Rg3? 

I don't know about you, but I'd have to say that's Rg3. With that being the case, I'd also have to thinks it's possible that maybe GM Scot McCloughan could value Robert Griffin III more than even the current coaching staff. 

The Quarterbacks currently ahead of Rg3 are seemingly more suited to run a system that does not exactly highlight Rg3's strengths but gives both men, especially, current starter Kirk Cousins a more likely chance of success than it does Robert Griffin. This is a direct influence of 2nd year Head Coach Jay Gruden, which is fine, that is his right to coach what he may personally feel gives them the best chance of success.

The thing is though, there is no guarantee that Scot McCloughan is in fact "sold" on Gruden. He wasn't here when Jay Gruden was hired, he may not necessarily completely embrace the belief that Gruden's more risky, more pass happy approach to the offense is better than what he's seen lead to multiple Superbowl appearances, multiple Conference Championship appearances, between two franchises that he himself help engineer and build.

I think it's highly possible that Scot signed off on this move of Griffin not only being removed as starter, but demoted all the way third string for a few reasons that maybe some don't realize are possible. I think, he may view this as being best for the franchise to see what Gruden can do now with the Quarterback that he's most comfortable with, and if it doesn't work out...Scot can just replace Gruden and even Kirk Cousins if he feels the need.

He can bring in a  head coach that may fit his philosophy better and at the same time, could represent a stock increase for Rg3. Not only, because the offense could be better suited for him, but because he's been off the field for a whole season, he's had a year to learn and improve under tutelage of QB Coach Matt Cavanaugh, and he's not risking his body as much, playing behind an offensive line who should be improving but isn't exactly a perfect, while also having struggles within a system that he isn't yet prepared to lead to it's peak.

Time will tell, we'll see how this season plays out for Washington, but it is possible that what most view as a great negative for this franchise and Robert Griffin III right now. Could actually be a great positive in hiding, and something that Scot McCloughan knows he can turn to should he not see what he wants this season.