Robert Griffin III will come into the 2012-2013 with a lot of hype and expectations. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner will be the starting quarterback for the 5-11 Washington Redskins. No matter how great or poorly RG3 peforms, the heat will be on coach Mike Shanahan.
The 2011 season for the Redskins was highlighted by two victories over the Super Bowl champion, New York Giants. Aside from that, the team has not had successful seasons, finishing in last place every year since 2008.
Shanahan has won 11 games as the Redskins coach since taking over in 2010. In his first season the team was 6-10.
According to Forbes, coach Shanahan gets paid $7 million a season, making him one of the highest paid coaches in the NFL right behind New England Patriots' Bill Belichik.
Not only is he expensive, he was the one pushing for the Redskins to move up on the draft. He packaged the 2012 second round pick and two future first round picks to the St. Louis Rams.
The move does not seem horrible if the Redskins finish somewhere in the top 10 and Griffin III can help the team win games. Otherwise, the Redskins could have given up a lot talent.
This year, the Redskins will have two new receivers. Mike Shanahan was also responsible for the signings of Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan this past offseason. Their contracts are worth $54 million with $27.8 guaranteed money.
Garcon caught six touchdowns with 947 yards in the 2011 season, while Morgan only played five games last season catching one TD and totaling 220 yards. Sounds like a lot of money for the type of production the receivers offer.
A team does not spend that much money and packages future first round picks unless they are sure they can win. If the Redskins do not perform and have a winning season, Mike Shanahan could be under fire after the 2012 season.
