Robert Griffin III ready to turn career around with Redskins in 2015

[JoeRedskin]

It's some of both.

Players have to be able to demonstrate the ability to learn and accept coaching. At times last year, it was clear RGIII just was not doing what the coaches wanted him to do. There are at least two examples that come to mind (the play in practice from my earlier post, the TD at the end of the half in the Rams game that was called back) where RGIII just outright ignored things he was specifically told to do by JG. Then there's the whole "taking 5 step drops when he should be taking 7 steps" thing. If I'm Gruden and the QB is just flat out ignoring me or unable to perform basic, fundamental QB skills, damn right I have a trust issue. Hard to believe in a guy who seems unable and/or unwilling to do the tasks you ask him to do. Especially when his f-ups could cost you your job.

On the other hand, if a coach insists on shoving a round peg into square hole, the he is going to be doomed and the peg is going to be ruined. JG needs to coach RGIII as he is, not how Gruden believes a QB should be. Gibbs completely revamped his offensive thinking to take advantage of a big OL and John Riggins. Gruden probably can't and shouldn't rewrite his playbook to tailor it to RGIII - otherwise its the R/O all over again. For RGIII to succeed, he needs to develop in the pocket, but Gruden needs to find a way to help him with that transition and take advantage of his unique skills.

It's both of them. In the short term, RGIII needs to step up and make "the ordinary" plays routinely. In the long term, Gruden needs to give him room to do that and to be flexible enough to maximize the skills of all his players.