WASHINGTON — Coming off the Redskins’ worst two-year stretch in two decades, fan optimism seems to be more muted heading into 2015 than in recent years. For most fans, anyway.

Listening to The Junkies while driving into work several weeks ago, I heard an especially sanguine prediction, if not moderately laughable, from a caller whose voice was unmistakable.

“My prediction for Griffin: 3,800 yards, 31 touchdowns, 11-5, NFC East title,” said lifelong Redskins die-hard Rich Turpin, who offers his season outlook through burgundy-colored glasses annually. Griffin, as a reminder, threw for four touchdown passes and six interceptions last season.

Turpin praised ex-NFL QB Chris Simms for raving about the Redskins’ roster, which Simms predicts will have Washington in the playoff hunt come December. “I don’t understand why what he said is so far-fetched,” Turpin said.

After being roundly mocked by the show’s hosts, Turpin backed up his argument.

“I really believe [Griffin’s] going to have a turnaround,” he said. “Having a guy like Matt Cavanaugh to just work with him, I think it’s huge. And plus, this is the first time he’s not coming off the injury. This isn’t a new offense. Last year there were all kinds of excuses. He destroys his ankle in, what, Week 2? There’s no excuses. This kid obviously can play. You saw it in 2012. He can play this game, he just needs to be able to do it.”

My interest was piqued. I needed to know more, specifically how someone could draw these conclusions. Below is our Q&A.

[Read Turpin’s full season predictions here. Not entirely Redskins-positive; he does have Griffin throwing 10 interceptions. “He’s not perfect.” Listen to his call at the bottom of this post.]

There’s so much negativity surrounding Griffin. What makes you think he’s put in the time, and he’s healthy?

Turpin: RG3 has just had time to rest physically and mentally. He needed this off-season to rejuvenate and purely focus on football. Also he has been through so much. He has been put down and hated on by everyone, and he knows this is it. If you see how he is talking you can tell that he understands this his last chance and I just think he has a winner’s mentality. He refuses to be a bust!!!

Last year the franchise unquestionably seemed to hit rock bottom. Their 4-12 record gave them a combined 7-25 record over two seasons (2013-14), their worst stretch since 1993-94 (Super Bowl fallout). From where do you draw your renewed optimism?

Turpin: In addition to what I said above, I also factor in the time he has had to practice as a pocket passer. He had been used to being a running QB for his whole career dating back to youth football. He now has had a couple of years playing from the pocket. Yes, he didn’t play like a Pro Bowler, but I think the experience he gained is invaluable.

Griffin’s touchdown percentage has steadily declined from 5.1 percent in his rookie year to 1.9 percent last season; his interception percentage has steadily risen from 1.3 percent in 2012 to 2.8 percent in 2014; last season his 4 TDs and 6 INTs were career lows and his worst TD-to-INT ratio since 2012. What makes you think Griffin can suddenly turn it on, to the tune of — as you predicted — 3,800 passing yards and 31 TDs, on the way to an NFC East-leading 11-5 record?

Turpin: In addition to what I wrote above in the top two questions, I’m also going to factor in the fact that he doesn’t have to learn a new offense. Having to learn a new offense would be hard on any QB in the NFL to deal with. Not only this but Jay Gruden has another year of coaching experience and he will have another with DeSean Jackson. DeSean is one of the best WRs in the NFL and to be able to work with him again under Jay is invaluable.

Recently, an anonymous personnel director described Griffin as seeing himself in the same light as Peyton Manning. “When he looks in the mirror, he is seeing things that everybody else is not seeing,” the personnel director said. What do you think Robert Griffin III sees when he looks in the mirror? And is he seeing what he should be seeing?

Turpin: I think Robert is seeing a WINNER and I agree! Why? Because if you are going to be a starting QB in the NFL you better damn believe that you can win it all. As a fan if RG3 didn’t think like this, I would be upset. He better think he is as good as Peyton, I actually wished he said that he was better. That mentality is so critical in the NFL and especially so with the QB position.

Last December, Tony Kornheiser said of the Redskins, “I have never felt like I do now, that they are hopeless.” Granted, that was before the Scot McCloughan hire. Was there ever a second last season when you too felt hopeless about this team?

Turpin: I didn’t feel hopeless. Not even for one second. In the NFL things can change fast. It was just a few years when no one thought Seattle was a threat. Now they are a top team and the transformation was fast. I see the burgundy and gold doing the exact same thing.

Is there an image that keeps you going — a vision of something that’s happened, or perhaps something that will happen — that drives your continued passion?

Turpin: My vision is those 3 Super Bowls we have earned. That makes me proud and admire this franchise. We have been winners and will be again. Our history is so rich and full of both championships and Hall of Famers. I don’t see our history running away from us. It is very much in our future and in fact, is in our present.

Do you ever feel used by the franchise? Like, each offseason Dan Snyder has to turn up another shiny new toy to keep the fans engaged, and maybe McCloughan is just the latest toy?

Turpin: No, my friend, I do not! Why? Because Mr. Snyder just wants to win, he is a fan just like me. He is trying to put the best team out there possible, it’s not as though he is trying to make us lose. When I see McCloughan, I don’t see a toy. I see a proven winner! He has built teams before and can help us do the same. I love hiring him and thank Mr Snyder for opening up his wallet for McCloughan.

Who would you rather keep around: Jay Gruden or Robert Griffin III?

Turpin: RG3, and I say this without hesitation. RG3 is our franchise QB and showed his talents in his rookie year. Unfortunately, I have yet to seen Jay at his peak so I have to side with Robert. Robert was amazing his rookie year and he will reach that level again, but this time as a pocket passer.

What would make you abandon your team?

Turpin: The only way I abandon the team is if I die. Nothing else could stop me from supporting the BURGUNDY and GOLD!

[Follow: @ChrisLingebach | @1067TheFanDC]