Gruden Damns Griffin With Faint Praise

[OldSchool]

If you really want to slam a guy outright criticism often isn't nearly as effective as damning a man with faint praise. The dispenser of faint praise appears to be charitable and trying to be supportive and doesn't draw a blowback like a direct critic but the point is made all the same he thinks the guy sucks. Judging from this article Gruden isn't at all impressed with Robert this spring. Gruden comes across as feeling stuck with Griffin and not allowed to compete the job. Tough situation for a coach and enough to retard my post FA and draft enthusiasm.

http://realredskins.com/2015/06/05/redskins-gruden-has-only-faint-praise-for-griffin/#comments

[Prowl33]

I think youre making assumptions based on your existing opinion of Griffin in mind. Now im sure if Griffin was performing in a way that screamed started Grudens wording would be completely different, but for something that was a major issue last year, I just think Gruden wants to keep his cards close to his chest, and not give the media anything to build off of.

You cant take anything Bruce says seriousky because unless its a contract question, he is clueless.

[Irn-Bru]

Meh. All his quotes are saying is that Griffin didn't suddenly become Petyon Manning. The situation hasn't changed: there is going to be a QB competition this summer, with RGIII the presumed starter unless some combination of poor performance on his part or great play on the part of Cousins / McCoy can unseat him. As we draw closer to training camp, RGIII is showing some signs of progress and improvement.

With all due respect to Tanlder, I fail to see the drama. Can anyone honestly see anything else in those statements than what I've outlined above?

[SkinsJock]

no matter what anyone 'says' or reports - all that matters is what happens 'on the field' ...

all 3 QBs will get their chance ... the QB that earns the starting job will be the QB that gives this franchise the best chance at success

[riggofan]

I read that article a few days ago and my reaction is still "meh". I would be more annoyed if Gruden were out there after two days of OTAs in no pads in freaking May telling us how incredible RGIII looked.

The best thing for RGIII and Gruden right now is to stay focused and say as little as possible. Like SJ is saying: Shut up and show me.

[fredp45]

I don't read much into what people say in May! There are a number of people that love to stir up trouble by reading into comments, or assuming what people mean. For example, Jason Reid from the Post. I know he isn't a RGIII fan, but I'm sort of surprised he doesn't imply Gruden doesn't like RGIII because he's black!

I like RGIII -- and hope like heck that he has a great year...he's the most talented guy we have at QB (NO question). Hopefully, a better line, solid running game, and an offensive scheme that takes advantage of his skills and strengths will result in better qb play.

BUT...if he falls flat and is replaced, I'll be ready to move on and root for the next guy. I like the SKins, not just one player, and want the team to be good.

[HEROHAMO]

Its all about Roberts confidence. Not his over confidence as of late. But real confidence.

2012 we seen how accurate he can be. He was very precise in his rookie year. No one can deny this. Whether it was out of the pistol or not. We all seen that he put the ball where it was supposed to be.
That ability came from him believing in himself. He had all the confidence in the world.

Even after the first injury in which he hyperextended and before he tore his acl again. We all seen that he was still able to throw the ball with accuracy.

What happened in 2013 and 2014 is his confidence dropped off. Doubt started to creep in and the talent around him faltered as well.

I have mixed feelings going into this season. On one hand I am overjoyed we have a new GM.
On the other hand I have no idea whether or not Gruden can handle the job?

Robert is a young man who is being molded. Young men need to be in the right situation and enviroment to thrive.

Its why young men join the military and most come out better men.

[oj]

Thats just one inteview and may have been after a long, hot day. It isn't an enthieusastic ringing endorsement, thats for sure. I'd call that more typical of Gruden, he muddies the water with vague responses that people have to interpret. The head coach needs to be crystal clear, leave nothing for interpretation and actually lead. He is the one that sets the standards.

[emoses14]

I don't read much into what people say in May! There are a number of people that love to stir up trouble by reading into comments, or assuming what people mean. For example, Jason Reid from the Post. I know he isn't a RGIII fan, but I'm sort of surprised he doesn't imply Gruden doesn't like RGIII because he's black!

I like RGIII -- and hope like heck that he has a great year...he's the most talented guy we have at QB (NO question). Hopefully, a better line, solid running game, and an offensive scheme that takes advantage of his skills and strengths will result in better qb play.

BUT...if he falls flat and is replaced, I'll be ready to move on and root for the next guy. I like the SKins, not just one player, and want the team to be good.

I actually think Jason Reid doesn't like Griffin because he's black (and yes, I meant to leave it ambiguous which one of the two's blackness Reid has a problem with).

Oh, and Reid is with ESPN now working with Keim on the skins' beat. And his writing has been exactly what you'd expect re: the skins.

[riggofan]

I actually think Jason Reid doesn't like Griffin because he's black (and yes, I meant to leave it ambiguous which one of the two's blackness Reid has a problem with).

Oh, and Reid is with ESPN now working with Keim on the skins' beat. And his writing has been exactly what you'd expect re: the skins.

He also co-hosts a regular morning show on the Redskins owned radio station, and I could not disagree more with what you're saying there. I always get the sense listening to that show that he just wants the Redskins to field a good team. I don't find his commentary much different from what we hear often from Brian Mitchell on that same radio station.

Honestly I just don't get why fans are so down on these beat writers. If you were a professional journalist, how many positive stories would YOU be able to write about this perpetually crap team over the past five years?

[emoses14]

I actually think Jason Reid doesn't like Griffin because he's black (and yes, I meant to leave it ambiguous which one of the two's blackness Reid has a problem with).

Oh, and Reid is with ESPN now working with Keim on the skins' beat. And his writing has been exactly what you'd expect re: the skins.

He also co-hosts a regular morning show on the Redskins owned radio station, and I could not disagree more with what you're saying there. I always get the sense listening to that show that he just wants the Redskins to field a good team. I don't find his commentary much different from what we hear often from Brian Mitchell on that same radio station.

Honestly I just don't get why fans are so down on these beat writers. If you were a professional journalist, how many positive stories would YOU be able to write about this perpetually crap team over the past five years?

I'm down on Reid because his written material on ESPN (i've never listened to him on a show) is very negative re the skins. I am/was down on Wilbon because he's a sanctimonious prick who presumes facts and narratives while also being too lazy to do any actual work or think past broad stroke stereotypes and tropes (see e.g., commentary on Sean Taylor's death). I was down on Jason LaCanfora because, well, I think we all remember his "style." I don't remember Reid being this skewed in his perspective previously, but the stories he's written for ESPN have been tone deaf at best:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12963 ... zation-nfl


You can cover this team (as bad as it has been) without being a constant butthole (see e.g., John Keim and Rich Tandler)

[Irn-Bru]

Honestly I just don't get why fans are so down on these beat writers. If you were a professional journalist, how many positive stories would YOU be able to write about this perpetually crap team over the past five years?

Probably not many more than the WaPo guys have, but I can guarantee you I'd be fabricating fewer stories by bending quotes and later acting like a coach or player is backtracking when he clarifies what he originally meant.