The Washington Redskins are coming into minicamp with Robert Griffin III the starter for Jay Gruden and the team is hoping that rookie Matt Jones can help replace Roy Helu behind Alfred Morris in the offense and this comes as Jamison Crowder could be on the outs with the team after a report that he may have been involved in a domestic violence incident.
Griffin is coming in after an up and down season in 2014 that saw him deal with injuries and inconsistent play and now he is getting the chance to start again for Gruden. According to the Washington Post, Griffin's knee looked good in OTA workouts and Gruden said that he is expecting a "big jump" from RG3 this season. The second year in a new offense is often times much earlier than the first year and that is what Gruden and the Redskins are hoping for.
The Redskins picked up the fifth year option on Griffin and even of the team doesn't work out an extension, it looks like he is still the QB of the future. The team used Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy last year and opted to sign McCoy back this offseason, but Griffin was named the starter early on in the offseason by Gruden and that confidence in RG3 could be big for the season. Last year Griffin played in just nine games and had six interceptions and he is looking to have his first full season without injuries since back in 2012.
Griffin was injured in the playoffs that season, but he played in 15 games as a rookie and threw for 20 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Griffin was electric while rushing for 826 yards and seven touchdowns, but in each of the past two seasons his rushing yards have decreased. The team is hoping Griffin is fully healed and can bring back some of that explosiveness.
Redskins third-round pick Matt Jones has been getting high praise in OTA workouts and he could get some work this season behind Morris. Roy Helu left as a free agent and with Morris being one of the most worked backs in football the past few years, Jones could get a chance to play ahead of Silas Redd and Chris Thompson. According to CSN Washington, Jones has good receiving skills and could be used on third downs and he also showed off impressive cutting ability in practice this offseason.
The Redskins have training camp coming up on July 30 and that is the next major workout for the team after the mandatory minicamp. Crowder and his situation could become clearer once camp comes along and the Redskins likely will try and keep things in control surrounding the rookie. The team has DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon at wide receiver, but getting a strong rookie like Crowder could help open up the passing game if things turn out clear for him off the field.
Gruden and the team spoke highly of Crowder after the draft, as he was a four year player at Duke and has very good hands and route running skills. The Redskins finished in last place last season and are looking to bounce back after last making the playoffs in 2012.
