Washington Redskins: (RG)3-Headed Attack

The Washington Redskins have benefited from two rookies who are having historic seasons. Quarterback Robert Griffin III and running back Alfred Morris are proving to be a lethal duo that could set the tone for the Redskins’ offense in the future. They feed off each other and are forcing opposing defenses to go through a major thought process, which slows down their pursuit.

The Washington Redskins’ offense has not put up stats like this in a very long time:

• Ranks first in the NFL in rushing yards per game (167.2)
• Ranks first in the NFL in yards per play (6.2)
• Ranks second in the NFL in 10+ yards gain rushing (64)
• Ranks tied for second in the NFL in yards per rush attempt (5.3)
• Ranks tied for first in the NFC and tied for second in the NFL in yards per pass attempt (7.2)
• Ranks second in the NFC and third in the NFL in passer rating (102.5)
• Ranks third in the NFC and fourth in the NFL in yards per reception (12.4)

Washington’s offense is as balanced as it gets in the National Football League because of Alfred Morris and Robert Griffin III. But now they’ve been able to add a third element – a legitimate #1 receiver. Pierre Garçon has changed the game. He hasn’t been healthy this season and has only played in half of Washington’s games, but the stats don’t lie: in the six games played by Pierre Garçon, the Redskins are 5-1, averaging 402 yards and 27.8 points per game. It’s an (RG)3-headed attack.

“Pierre has been a big part of our system going in to the preseason,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He gave us a lot of confidence and unfortunately we lost him after that first quarter but I think he has demonstrated the last couple of games exactly what type of wide receiver he is both in the running game and the passing game. We are glad to have him.”

Let’s take a look a the film:

• Here’s one of the key plays in Washington’s victory over the New York Giants Monday night. In the 4th quarter, with 2:19 remaining on the clock – this 2nd and 8 conversion was huge. This is a play Washington has had major success on throughout the season. The Redskins are lined up in a full house pistol formation. It’s essentially a two-man route with a check down. Robert is going to read the linebackers – if they step-up and bite for the run, this ball is going straight to the X-receiver, who in this case is Pierre.

•  Post-snap, the linebackers bit on the the fake hand-off to Alfred Morris. Again, without Morris’ success on the ground, he wouldn’t be a big enough threat for linebackers to bite on this play. This has been the centerpiece of Washington’s success. So, with the linebackers biting on the fake – it left the middle of the football field wide open for Garçon. This was a great play-call and it was executed by Washington’s “(RG)3-Headed Attack.”

•  As soon as the linebackers realized this was a passing play, they all bailed for the route. But it was too late.

•  It’s easy to just call Mike Shanahan an offensive genius, but here’s a picture to prove it. Throughout their Monday night game against the Ravens – Shanahan left the Giants’ top pass rushers unblocked. Circled in yellow is a confused Jason Pierre-Paul getting chipped by the Redskins’ tight end Logan Paulsen.  Also, as an early film study on the Ravens – peep the single high safety in red. That’s a position the Ravens put Ed Reed in – allowing him to make plays on the football. The Redskins have had success against this coverage, but Ed Reed vs Robert Griffin III will be the match-up of the game.

Speaking of the Ravens, their head coach John Harbaugh made an interesting statement on Wednesday when describing Washington’s offense: “The disadvantage is they’re better at what they do.” That speaks volumes for an offense led by two rookies. But the offense is improving on what was already an electric group. I believe a lot of that has to do with the return of Garçon.

•  Perfect example of Garçon being a game changer came in the 2nd quarter of Monday night’s football game. Garçon already has the football in the screenshot above, but look at the players around him. Garçon gained extra yards after this catch – not because of missed tackles, but pure speed. It’s easy to find fast players, but Pierre is different. He runs with a certain aggression, and his lateral – stop and go speed is epic. Garçon’s ability to out-run perfect angles and sprint laterally towards the sideline – then back downhill provides the Redskins with something they haven’t had in a long time.

“He’s [Pierre] a guy, as we all like to say, he walks to the beat of his own drum and it’s a different drum,” Robert Griffin III said. “It’s not a normal drum. It’s good to have him out there with the tenacity that he plays with. He’s fearless and he’s our guy, so that’s why we like him out there.”

It’s an (RG)3-Headed Attack. The next defense that finds a way to stop Washington’s trio will in fact be the very first.