Mike Shanahan hinders Redskins chances, RGIII's health with QB mismanagement

Mike Shanahan's been accused in the past of having his players fake injuries. There was nothing fake about Robert Griffin III's knee injury Sunday, yet Shanahan failed to take him out of the game putting his player's health at risk and ultimately dooming his team's season.

As the Redskins were driving down the field in the first quarter, Griffin appeared to tweak the injured knee as he rolled right. The rookie quarterback still threw a touchdown on the drive, giving the Redskins a 14-0 lead.

But that was Washington's last score of the game in their 24-14 Wild Card playoff loss to Seattle. 

Failed drive after failed drive, Griffin continually trotted back out. There's no doubt in my mind he probably wanted to go back out there and fought to do so on the sideline.

His coaches should have known better.

Watching RGIII try to move on the torn up sod of FedEx Field was cringeworthy. One fourth quarter play call appeared to be a designed run, Griffin gaining nine yards, running on a limp out of bounds.

He should have stayed there and taken a spot on the bench. Long before that play, he should have been pulled from the game. That's what Shanahan would have done not only if he wanted to perserve his franchise's star player but win the game.

Over and over, it was more than evident that RGIII's knee injury was not one that was just affecting his ability to run but also to pass, rendering him a "non-factor," as Troy Aikman rightly pointed out. 

On an Earl Thomas interception, Griffin underthrew Pierre Garcon deep down the field, uncharacteristic of the rocket-armed quarterback. Many plays before that Griffin struggled stepping into his throws on that gimpy right knee, just as he did on the Thomas pick. 

Washington's offense thrives on the option read and getting the quarterback outside off the play action fake. Griffin's injury negated that. It also took away the threat of a deep passing game.

Griffin finished the day 10 of 17 for 84 yards through the air with just 12 yards rushing. After the first quarter, he threw for only 16 yards.

He ended his season laying on the turf after his knee finally gave out on a fumbled snap late in the fourth quarter. It was also the end of the Redskins' season, as the Seahawks recovered the fumble and took a two-possession lead.

Some will blame Griffin for wanting to stay in the game but that's just wrong. 

It is the fault of his coaches who could not see the obvious and pull the quarterback. 
The Vikings played a road playoff game with a backup who hadn't thrown a pass all season. Washington backup Kirk Cousins started and won a game this season. 

Cousins would have given the Redskins a better chance to effectively utilize their scheme, something Robert Griffin III, for all his talent and determination, just couldn't do Sunday. 

Not seeing that is on you, Mike Shanahan.