Predicting RGIII and the Redskins 2013 Season

Robert Griffin III's health is the key to Washington being successful

     The Washington Redskins have one of the best players in the NFL at their QB position at Robert Griffin III, but is coming off an ACL tear suffered in last year's playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. While Griffin's toughness and competitiveness will never be debated, his durability is without a doubt in question. There is no way that you can ignore the long term effects of a QB who gets his knee torn up all because he is a threat outside of the pocket. The fact that the Redskins rely on Griffin's running ability so much proves how bad they will be when he isn't leaving the pocket. During the 2012 regular season RGIII finished 1st in the NFL in yards per carry, beating out league MVP Adrian Peterson. Seriously?! Yea...seriously. So after his success, which got the Redskins a playoff berth, what does Griffin and the Washington franchise need to do to get better? How do you top a season in which RGIII threw for 20 TDs against 5 INTs, got voted to a Pro Bowl and led the Skins back to the playoffs?

     The first answer to that question is simple. Play better defense. That will be hard to do with starting DE Jarvis Jenkins suspended for the first 4 games of the 2013 season, but it HAS to happen in order for the team to get better. The Redskins obviously have success running the read option, so throwing that play out the window is out of the question. In the NFL, you have to stick with something until the opponent proves they can stop what you are bringing to the table. Teams will run the same running play all game as long as it moves the chains...it's a simple philosophy. I don't see RGIII staying healthy for the entire season with his style of play, so the Redskins defense has to step up their game tremendously. Washington's defense gave up the 3rd most passing yards, allowed the 4th most touchdowns, and surrendered the 11th most touchdowns last season. Although the run defense was stout all season and the secondary picked off the 3rd most passes in the NFL, there clearly has to be more consistency on that side of the ball.  Look for the Redskins to struggle this season with an unhealthy RGIII, a lackluster group of wideouts and an average defense