RG3

At only 24 years of age Robert Griffin III has already experienced the highs and lows the NFL has to offer.

Griffin had one of the truly remarkable rookie seasons in NFL history.  After beginning the 2012 season 3-6, he led the Washington Redskins to seven consecutive victories and their first NFC East title since 1999.  For the first time in over a decade the Redskins were relevant again.

Griffin's first playoff game ended in disaster.  After tweaking his knee early in the game Mike Shanahan opted to keep him on the field.  That move proved to be costly as Griffin suffered a partial tear of the right ACL. 

Hearing he had torn knee ligaments was emotional for Griffin.  He suffered the same injury in the left ACL while at Baylor.  After months of rehab his knee returned to form.  Griffin capped off his college career by capturing the Heisman Trophy in 2011.

After pulling himself together Griffin set a new pass code in his cellular phone.  The code was the same date as opening day of the 2013 season.  His goal was to make it back as the opening day starter.  Anyone that knows Griffin can attest to his hard work and determination.  That's one of the things that make his special.

Griffin did not start any of the Redskins preseason games.  However, he accomplished his goal by making it back as the opening day starter.  The Redskins were smoked by Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football to open the season.  They would lose the next two games to begin the season in an 0-3 hole.  By week eight Washington was out of contention all together.

This offseason has been different for the third year quarterback.  He's cut back on the exposure drastically.  He became the NFL's poster boy before quarterbacking his first game.  The love affair with the fans is over.

The fallout with the media and fans may be a blessing in disguise for Griffin.  Due to the success of Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson, Griffin can remain under the radar while he attempts to reestablish himself as a dominant starting quarterback.

Since 2009 the Eagles, Redskins, Giants and Cowboys have all captured division titles.  No team has won the NFC East in consecutive years since Philadelphia accomplished the feat in 2005.  This is anyone's division to win heading into the 2014 season.

This is not the first time in his life RGIII will have the deck stacked against him.  NFL training camp is upon us.  Last year was about getting healthy.  This upcoming season is about redemption.