On the first drive of the 2012 season for Washington, Robert Griffin III faced pressure in the pocket, stayed calm, took a hit and completed an 88-yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon en route to a 40-32 upset of New Orleans.

The Redskins paid a huge price in draft picks when they moved up to select Griffin, but the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner paid immediate dividends, taking the Redskins to the NFC East division championship for the first time since 1999 and leading them to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Then, toward the end of playoff loss to Seattle, disaster struck and Griffin shredded his knee. If Griffin comes back to full speed, the sky could be the limit for this team. But the risk the team took to get him only pays off if the injuries don’t start to add up, says Kevin Ewoldt, managing editor for Hogs Haven.

Ewoldt shared some thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: How would you assess the 2012 season?

Ewoldt: The 2012 season was a huge success minus the RGIII injury. Vegas had the Redskins pinned at 6.5 wins and pretty much everyone all summer was hoping for an 8-8 season at best. Winning the last 7 games of the season to make the playoffs was magical. It’s clear RGIII’s presence made a difference on and off the field.

Zoneblitz: What are you hearing about Robert Griffin’s rehab and do you think he’ll be running the show in week one?

Ewoldt: Dr. James Andrews said he is way ahead of schedule. Kirk Cousins will be receiving all the team’s first snaps during the spring and early summer months though. Shanahan said he’ll likely know in July about Griffin’s availability for week one. The Redskins have to take this slow. Many quarterbacks have held out for money during camp and come right in week one and started, so it’s not like RGIII has to play every down in camp, especially with the entire starting offense returning. However, eight months I think is too tight a window. To be on the safe side, Cousins should probably start the first few weeks.

Zoneblitz: Washington paid a heavy price to acquire Griffin via trade with St. Louis. Was the worth it in retrospect?

Ewoldt: That’s tough to say. If he stays healthy the next couple years, then yes. If he re-injures the knee, then no. Every ACL injury doubles the chances of re-injury. So, having torn the ACL a second time now, the odds j0ump from 5 percent to 10 percent it’ll happen again. The leadership RGIII brought to Redskins Park instantaneously changed the free agent culture at Redskins Park. Every player works extra hard now. I remember Scott Pioli once saying at the combine “Your QB has to be your hardest working player or else it won’t work.” (It makes sense – Manning, Brees, Brady, Griffin).

Zoneblitz: How are the Redskins doing at providing the supporting cast to work with Griffin?

Ewoldt: Shanahan should get a standing ovation for what he’s surrounded Griffin with despite the $36 million in salary cap penalties. The Redskins still need to upgrade the defense, but drafting Alfred Morris and adding Pierre Garcon has made a world of a difference.

Zoneblitz: How would you assess the defense and its progress in 2012 and what the unit needs to do to improve?

Ewoldt: Well, the salary cap penalties have left the Redskins with zero monies to upgrade the defense for a second straight year. Shanahan free agent dumpster dived last year and did OK with Cedric Griffin and Jordan Pugh. The Redskins still need to add a free safety and starting cornerback, so all eyes are on that right now. DeAngelo Hall still is a free agent, which would be a big help.

Zoneblitz: The Redskins won the NFC East in 2012 and look like a team on the rise, but the Giants are neck and neck. With an $18 million cap penalty and no first round picks, what does Washington have to do to stay atop the division and to prepare for a longer playoff run?

Ewoldt: They need to draft well. The Redskins don’t have a first round pick this year, but they still do have seven picks. Adding a corner, a free safety and a change-of-pace running back will go a long way to improving this team.

Zoneblitz: Who on the roster do you see having a breakout 2013 season?

Ewoldt: That’s tough to say since everyone had a breakout season on offense last year and the defense is getting overhauled. Keenan Robinson, an inside linebacker the Redskins drafted last year, showed a lot of promise before his injury. I’ll go with him.

Zoneblitz: What would you like to see the Redskins do through the rest of free agency and the draft?

Ewoldt: Every Redskins fan is on the edge of their seat hoping they sign Antoine Winfield. He’s a very solid cornerback and would complement Josh Wilson and EJ Biggers well. I’d like to see a veteran free safety signed that can mentor whatever safety the Redskins hopefully draft in the second round (DJ Swearinger maybe).

Zoneblitz: The Redskins’ draft in 2012 received criticism from some of the “experts” for the price paid for Griffin and for doubling up on quarterbacks with Kirk Cousins (though we defended it on draft day). Looking back it also netted Alfred Morris and a couple other contributors. How would you assess it from top to bottom?

Ewoldt: One of thing I’ve learned in covering the Redskins for four years is that it’s important to pay attention to the right “experts.” The good ones admit their faults and don’t make Skip Bayless type rants. The Alfred Morris pick was genius. Shanahan coached him in the Senior Bowl and conveniently only gave him one carry as a Fullback to hide him. Most Redskins fans like the Kirk Cousins picks simply because quarterback is the most important position to have quality depth in, especially for mobile quarterbacks like RGIII. Here’s an article I did collecting what everyone said about the Cousins draft pick at the time. Many “experts” were way off.

Zoneblitz: Is there anything you would like to add?

Ewoldt: Cowboys suck!! (No, really, It was just reported that 0 of their 12 draft picks in 2009 are still with the team).

Follow Kevin Ewoldt on Twitter at: @kewoldt
Follow Hogs Haven on Twitter at: @HogsHaven
Follow Zoneblitz.com on Twitter at: @ZoneblitzCom

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