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Mike Shanahan says RG3 needs to learn how to slide

Robert Griffin III, Mike Shanahan

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan ranks with quarterback Robert Griffin III during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

AP

Whenever Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III is ready to play again, he’s going to have to be a more cautious player.

That’s the word from coach Mike Shanahan, who said at the league meeting that Griffin, who is recovering from major knee surgery, will have to learn to slide and throw the ball away to protect himself.

“You can’t take shots consistently,” Shanahan said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

Still, that doesn’t mean Shanahan plans to take the running element out of Griffin’s game. In fact, Shanahan said that the read-option forces defensive linemen to read and react and slows down their rush.

“The option will help a quarterback stay healthy,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan reiterated that Griffin is ahead of schedule on his recovery, although he cautioned that he doesn’t want Griffin to go overboard with his workouts and re-aggravate the injury.

“If hard work has anything to do with it, he’ll be ready,” Shanahan said. “You’re always optimistic.”

And Shanahan is optimistic not only about Griffin’s recovery from this injury, but about Griffin’s ability to change his game to avoid future injuries.