Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden has returned from bye week film hibernation with a defined conclusion on his 3-6 team.
"... a lot of things need to change," Gruden said Wednesday, via CSN Washington. "We're very optimistic that we can win all of the games that we play. Obviously, we have a long way to go."
Thinking about the Redskins in the playoffs two years ago seems crazy. Either it was a true reflection of how unprepared the league was for a quarterback with Robert Griffin III's speed, or it says something about the way Mike Shanahan can run a team.
Either way, Gruden can go a long way in Washington by handing the fans some progress down the stretch. Obviously, playoff expectations are nonexistent in the NFC East, but showing a consistent level of competence offensively would be meaningful.
For at least the next year and a half, the Redskins will hinge on the way Griffin is used and whether or not he succeeds.
Could you imagine the relief Gruden would feel at 8-8 heading into this offseason after watching Griffin complete more than 65 percent of his passes on the season and finish with a positive touchdown to interception ratio?
A lot of things would need to change, for sure.
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