Washington Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III used to watch John Elway with the Denver Broncos as a kid. Now Griffin is playing for Elway's old coach.
"Growing up, I was a Bronco fan, so, you see Coach (Mike) Shanahan, and you know that that's the coach of your favorite team," Griffin said Thursday. "So when I met him at the combine and they traded up for me, it was kind of like a dream come true to be here and play for him and his offense and the offense that I watched John Elway tear defenses up in."
Shanahan has endured some ups and downs since the Elway era, but he's undoubtedly one of the best coaches when it comes to developing quarterbacks. Especially mobile ones. And he has a willing pupil in Griffin.
"I'm not a teacher's pet," Griffin said. "Like, I didn't bring him any apples, or anything. But I make it a point to make sure I see coach every day. Talk to him for at least five, 10 minutes."
Shanahan's reputation took a beating during the Donovan McNabb "era," but Griffin isn't trying to hear that.
"What some former quarterbacks have said about him, to me, isn't true," Griffin said. "He seems like a great guy. I'm really looking forward to working with him."
