Rumors are swirling that Redskins coach Jay Gruden has handed down an ultimatum: Washington can either move on from Robert Griffin III, or they can find a new head coach.
That might not sit well with owner Dan Snyder. Snyder still hasn't given up on Griffin, and he's reportedly willing to part with Gruden after just one year - despite the next four years on Gruden's contract being guaranteed - to move forward with RG3.
If Gruden goes, the Redskins have a few options they can turn to...but there's one option they aren't considering who really deserves a shot.
What if there was a former team legend - a four-time Super Bowl champion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame - who wanted nothing more than a shot at coaching the team he loves. He wouldn't come in without experience - he spent two decades on the sidelines as a position coach, was beloved by his players, and was a finalist for previous head coaching positions.
That man is out there - he's at FedEx Field every weekend, watching the team he loves - and his name is Russ Grimm.
Fans remember Grimm as one of the Hogs - Washington's fearsome offensive line of the 80's and 90's. After retiring as a player, Grimm spent nine more seasons with the franchise, first as a tight ends coach, then as an offensive line coach. After moving on to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Grimm was a finalist for the head coaching job after Bill Cowher retired. Despite hearing reports that the Steelers would offer him the position, Pittsburgh eventually went with Mike Tomlin...and Grimm moved on to the Arizona Cardinals.
Grimm hasn't coached since the Cardinals cleaned house when firing Ken Whisenhunt, but he told ESPN 980 in Washington this summer that he'd be open to the right opportunity:
“I always keep it open,” Grimm said. “You know, the game’s changing a little bit as far as what the owners want, what the general managers want. I have a certain path that I want to follow, that I think will be a successful one. If somebody wants to give me a chance, then I’ll do it."
If Jay Gruden is out, Washington shouldn't try to bring in another untested coordinator, or someone with no ties to the franchise - they should at least interview the man who lives and breathes Redskins football. Would an old-school guy like Grimm be the answer for a team trying to build around a dual-threat quarterback? That really comes down to his coordinators - with the right coaches in place, Grimm can do what he does best - motivate, inspire, and lead.
Washington's players never rallied around Mike Shanahan, and they haven't taken to Jay Gruden, either - it's time to try someone who can really connect to the guys out there in the trenches. That's something Grimm never struggled with.
“I will be at FedEx this year, because I have nothing else to do, and I’m enjoying it.” Grimm said. It's time the Redskins gave him something to do.
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