The Development of Robert Griffin III

[Caliskinsfan]

Great article


Excerpt

THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS ON PATIENCE

Those who know me, know that I’m as critical as anyone about the Redskins. I truly want perfection and a win on every snap and a W when the clock strikes all zeros.

As a Redskins fan, I understand people’s frustrations. In 2012, the Redskins broke out a shiny new toy, and it truly was so magical season, seeing a Redskins rookie quarterback succeeding as well as Griffin did. I don’t know if that had ever happened before in the Redskins 82-year history. You’d have to go back to the Sammy Baugh era, perhaps.

In 2012 with Griffin at the helm the Redskins beat the Cowboys at the “big post office” for the NFC East Division Championship. But since then, it’s all been downhill.

When looking back on the past 20 years of futility, it is easy to understand why most Redskins fans don’t want to hear about moral victories. They don’t want to hear about how it takes time for young players to make progress. They don’t want to hear anyone analyze and break down a game with positive points after a mistake-filled loss. I get that.

That said, the criticism of Griffin and Gruden after one game has been at times down right laughable. Many act like Griffin isn’t improving in the pocket and as a passer. The truth though is that RG3 is improving in every facet of his passing game; it’s just, coming out of Baylor in the spread offense, he had so much to improve upon. Many, including myself, realized this when RG3 was drafted.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

This thread should get interesting.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

I almost didn't create this thread. But I thought the article very well written, addressing a lot of points we've debated as well as beaten to death.

We will have more info about Griff after this weekend to analyse and MMQB.

Bottom line for me, I need and want to see continued progress from Griff. As long as there are positives moving in the right direction, Griffs my guy.

I am a fan of the team first always. My take is that most of us here feel the same way.

 

[j_y19]

This thread should get interesting.

Not really. Its going to be the same guys taking the same sides spouting the same shit they have been spouting for the last 8 months.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Not really. Its going to be the same guys taking the same sides spouting the same shit they have been spouting for the last 8 months.

Um, yeah. I know. I was kidding.

Maybe I need to mix in an emoticon now and then? Not a big fan of those things.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

FYI, On the Hoop, the font comic sans is used for sarcasm... .

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Can't you just remember to assume that pretty much all I post is sarcasm?

OK that was sarcasm too.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Can't you just remember to assume that pretty much all I post is sarcasm?

OK that was sarcasm too.

I can and will

 

[gkekoa]

I'll go the opposite route and say he is regressing as a pocket passer. Go back to year one...he was quick and decisive on his decisions...he also created mismatches that opened up the running game and opened up passing lanes that do not appear with other QBs.


Now he is too tentative in the pocket and afraid to make mistakes. If he is afraid to make mistakes, he is also afraid to make plays.

 

[martinez]

Not really. Its going to be the same guys taking the same sides spouting the same shit they have been spouting for the last 8 months.

lmao pretty much. but we've beat the topic to death over and over so i dont see this thread getting heated. we all know where everyone stands on rg3 and everything has been discussed. all we can do now is wait for sunday.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I'll go the opposite route and say he is regressing as a pocket passer. Go back to year one...he was quick and decisive on his decisions...he also created mismatches that opened up the running game and opened up passing lanes that do not appear with other QBs.


Now he is too tentative in the pocket and afraid to make mistakes. If he is afraid to make mistakes, he is also afraid to make plays.

Yeah I see it the same way. But I really can't remember too well, wasn't a lot of his production from the pocket a result of the play fake on the read option? I know especially early that play fake, hit the TE in the seem was devastating.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Not really. Its going to be the same guys taking the same sides spouting the same shit they have been spouting for the last 8 months.

Bingo. Let's just watch the game on Sunday & take it from there. Should provide more insight one way or another. Hopefully - it will be enjoyable for Redskins fans. Talking about the Redskins is alright but watching them winning games (which has been rare recently) is - umm I don't know - 100 times better.

HTTR

 

[tlance]

My issue is that the entire thought process behind making RG3 a pocket passer is totally flawed. He was efficient in the pocket his rookie season because defenses were scared to death of the his running ability and they had to devote a lot of attention to that aspect of his game.

Trying to make RG3 into a pocket passer would be the same as telling LeBron James not to drive to the rim and to only shoot jump shots. RG3 may be able to function as a decent pocket passer, but the Redskins did not give away all those draft picks for this player because they thought he would be the next Manning/Brees, etc. RG3's value lies in his ability to make plays and his running ability is a huge part of it.

Sure, keeping RG3 in the pocket will extend his career, but he will never be anything more than an average to below average QB unless the Skins unleash him again. Then, he has a chance to be special, although probably not for a very long time.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I don't know about that. Can you think of one top QB who couldn't stand in the pocket and deliver the ball? Everyone knew he wasn't a pocket passer coming out, yet he was the unanimous #2 pick. Why is that? Because they saw a QB who was not just a runner, they saw a guy who can throw the ball very very well.

I'm sick of the losing too but I'm in this for the long haul. That's why I'm willing to give it some time to see if this is something he can learn. Sure beats going with a lesser talent or starting over in the draft.

 

[gkekoa]

Yeah I see it the same way. But I really can't remember too well, wasn't a lot of his production from the pocket a result of the play fake on the read option? I know especially early that play fake, hit the TE in the seem was devastating.

Yes it was but the ball came out on time.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

I remember his first big play as a Redskin. The read was to the back (or TE, can't remember). It was covered so he immediately switched off to Garcon who took a short pass to the house. So it's not like he can't read a defense and make adjustments.

 

[tlance]

I remember his first big play as a Redskin. The read was to the back (or TE, can't remember). It was covered so he immediately switched off to Garcon who took a short pass to the house. So it's not like he can't read a defense and make adjustments.

I am not saying that he can't be an adequate pocket passer. He can be. Thing is, so can Cousins.

RG3 is awesome running the football though, so why take his legs away? His running ability along with the fact that he can throw the football is what makes hims a special player. If he is JUST a pocket passer, he is replaceable.

 

[j_y19]

I am not saying that he can't be an adequate pocket passer. He can be. Thing is, so can Cousins.

RG3 is awesome running the football though, so why take his legs away? His running ability along with the fact that he can throw the football is what makes hims a special player. If he is JUST a pocket passer, he is replaceable.

This is the point. We didn't pay all we did to get a developmental pocket passer that might become a good QB. We gave up all those picks because RG3 was a unique player that could beat you with his arm or his legs. If we take away the threat of him running, he was no where near worth the price we paid. Defenses will continue to blitz him aggressively if he is determined to sit in the pocket. We have got to make them honest and the only way to do that is to kill them with the run, both Alfred and RG3 taking off. RG3 doesn't have to run 10 times a game, but if he does it 3 or 4 and then we design a few pass plays off the same look, Defenses will be on their heels and it will free up our WRs to stretch the field. It will also assist our questionable OL in pass blocking.

BTW, I'd bet big this week we do see RG3 on some designed runs. This is just obvious that our offense needs this threat.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

This is the point. We didn't pay all we did to get a developmental pocket passer that might become a good QB. We gave up all those picks because RG3 was a unique player that could beat you with his arm or his legs. If we take away the threat of him running, he was no where near worth the price we paid. Defenses will continue to blitz him aggressively if he is determined to sit in the pocket. We have got to make them honest and the only way to do that is to kill them with the run, both Alfred and RG3 taking off. RG3 doesn't have to run 10 times a game, but if he does it 3 or 4 and then we design a few pass plays off the same look, Defenses will be on their heels and it will free up our WRs to stretch the field. It will also assist our questionable OL in pass blocking.

BTW, I'd bet big this week we do see RG3 on some designed runs. This is just obvious that our offense needs this threat.

Would it be so bad if he developed into a QB who plays the game as Aaron Rodgers does? Note I said "like" and not "as good as". What I mean is being primarily a pocket passer who makes his living by hitting guys in stride but can also make something happen with his legs when the play breaks down. That's what I'm hoping for in a year or 2.

 

[j_y19]

Would it be so bad if he developed into a QB who plays the game as Aaron Rodgers does? Note I said "like" and not "as good as". What I mean is being primarily a pocket passer who makes his living by hitting guys in stride but can also make something happen with his legs when the play breaks down. That's what I'm hoping for in a year or 2.

No, that would not be so bad. But that's not what we paid for. We paid for someone to tear apart defenses as good as Aaron Rogers, not like Aaron Rogers. We paid a stiff premium and should expect a premier QB for that premium. You keep referring to his accuracy as if he is the most accurate QB in the league. Well, when your average pass only goes a couple of yards, any of us could be accurate. He has not shown any accuracy since his injury with mid or longer passes. He shows flashes, but no consistency. His mechanics became flawed and while he has worked to correct them, we have seen no evidence that he has.

The fact is he is not Aaron Rogers. He is not Peyton Manning. He is not Tom Brady. Hell, for that matter, he is not Mike Vick. He is Robert Griffin who has a unique set of skills that allows him to create havoc with defenses. What makes him special is the combination of skills, not any one skill. SO if you take one of his skills away, his other skills become pedestrian very quickly.