I've always been under the impression that Robert Griffin III was extremely similar to Donovan McNabb. Both are mobile quarterbacks, media savvy, jocular types, second-overall picks and neither of them ended their first seasons on great terms. Yet, somehow, these two kindred quarterbacks have never met despite attempts by McNabb to reach out to Griffin last season. However, McNabb is still attempting to reach out.
Griffin should consider taking McNabb up on his offer to meet.
Via Washington Post:
“It’s too much right now; it’s just too much,” McNabb said, speaking from his home in Arizona. “I get some of things he’s doing to draw attention to himself: the Adidas commercials, going out and enjoying the life of a young, famous NFL quarterback. I understand RG has a lot of stuff going on.
“But if you’re coming off ACL surgery, you don’t need to be having a press conference at OTAs. Every week? Really? It becomes a circus, a sideshow. It takes away from the focus of what those sessions are supposed to be about: the team.”
“One thing Andy Reid did is he never let the injured guys become the story if they were off to the side at practice,” McNabb added, referring to the former Eagles coach. “He thought it took away from the guys who were grinding and practicing every day.
“So when I look up on TV and see him up there talking all the time about how great he’s doing — or doing jumping jacks or someone else talking about his supernatural healing powers — I wonder to myself: Is this about selling tickets to the fans or what?
“I don’t blame him. They’re letting him do it. But at some point, it can be counterproductive. You can set yourself up for more criticism later.”
I know, McNabb's Redskins career ended bitterly, but he knows exactly what he's talking about. Griffin may not perceive himself to be a "black" quarterback, but the fraternity exists and McNabb is one of the more prominent members. More importantly, he understands the travails of being a starting quarterback in the NFL's limelight. Griffin can do no wrong right now, but there's always a backlash. The haterade is usually right behind.
