A morning roundup of what the local and national media have to say about the Washington Redskins on Thursday, December 12, 2013.

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--On Wednesday Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan officially announced that quarterback Robert Griffin III will be inactive for the remainder of the season and quarterback Kirk Cousins will start vs. the Falcons.

--Even after getting the start on Sunday, quarterback Kirk Cousins reaffirms that quarterback Robert Griffin III is the franchise quarterback and Griffin will be the starting quarterback going into next season.

--Redskins players are focused on beating Atlanta despite the recent news that Kirk Cousins will start vs. Atlanta. Left tackle Trent Williams said, "Coach made his decision and that’s the way it is."

--One reporter feels that the quarterback change is another distraction to the Redskins team. Quarterback Robert Griffin III said, "I just know coach decided to shut me down, and that's that."

--Why one reporter feels that quarterback Robert Griffin III will benefit from being benched. According to ESPN Griffin had suffered 102 quarterback hits and sacked 38 times this season.

--Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan discussed his decision making process as he chose to bench quarterback Robert Griffin III for the last three games of the season. Shanahan spoke with owner Daniel Snyder and said Snyder approved of his decision.

--Important quotes from head coach Mike Shanahan's press conference on Wednesday including his reasoning for benching quarterback Robert Griffin III for the remainder of the season.

--Quarterback Robert Griffin III's reaction to being benched and how he is staying positive despite being on the inactive list for the final three games.

--Why former Redskins player Chris Cooley feels that quarterback Kirk Cousins is a better pocket passer than quarterback Robert Griffin III. Cooley spoke about Griffin and said, "His technique right now, as far as dropping and throwing the ball, is dreadful."

--Former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann weighs in on the benching of quarterback Robert Griffin III and why he thinks it is “admirable” to keep him from playing the last three weeks of the season.

--Former NFL head coach John Madden disagrees with the benching of quarterback Robert Griffin III and said, "I’ve never heard of a football player being shut down."

--ESPN analyst Adam Shefter spoke on ESPN 980 on head coach Mike Shanahan and the reports that said Shanahan was ready to quit at the end of last season.

--Veteran wide receiver Santana Moss feels that quarterback Robert Griffin III deserves a healthy offseason before judgments can be made as to his ability to pay in the NFL.

--One writer looks at Mike Shanahan's press conference and argues what Redskins fans should and should not believe about the benching of Robert Griffin III.

--Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins is focused on Atlanta and not on the unusual circumstances that have caused Cousins to start his first game this season.

--A look at head coach Mike Shanahan's decision to bench quarterback Robert Griffin III and if the decision to bench Griffin could cost Shanahan's job.

--An injury update on Redskins players heading into the Atlanta game including tight end Jordan Reed who did not practice on Wednesday due to a concussion sustained vs. the Eagles on Nov. 17th.

--Redskins players show their support of quarterback Kirk Cousins on Wednesday. Veteran linebacker London Fletcher said, "We all know Kirk can play, he proved his abilities last year."

--How the benching of quarterback Robert Griffin III may help the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys will face the Redskins Dec. 22 at FedExField and are currently in 2nd place in the NFC East.

--Why one reporter feels that benching quarterback Robert Griffin III cannot be entirely about his health. Griffin has been sacked 24 times in the past five games but Griffin has been declared 100 percent healthy. 

--During head coach Mike Shanahan's 28 minute press conference, Shanahan explained that he wants to return for a fifth season in Washington but said he will know for sure after speaking with owner Daniel Snyder after the season.

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What's Trending In @Redskins Nation?

1) QB @KirkCousins8 set to start final 3 games of 2013 season. Shanahan explains; Cousins, Griffin III react: http://t.co/7iyrm34g0i

2) QB @RGIII takes questions about his situation for the rest of 2013. Watch live: http://t.co/nuVWgkJCFK

3) WATCH: #Redskins QB @KirkCousins8 on his opportunity to start and the future of QB @RGIII. #HTTR #RedskinsTalk -http://t.co/5UeCZuzhUw

4) Wed Practice Snapshots of @KirkCousins8 @RGIII @TreyDeuces@PierreGarcon @AldrickRobinson http://t.co/QGYosOHZRShttp://t.co/DxU7t2rRkW

5) WATCH: #Redskins QB @RGIII initial reaction to media after news of QB @KirkCousins8 starting this week. #HTTR -http://t.co/k03XcHE7lQ

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