Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III Has To Get Out His Head

The Washington Redskins didn’t lose Sunday against the Houston Texans because of QB Robert Griffin III. In fact, after reviewing film of the team’s passing offense, he really didn’t play bad at all. The offense actually had success. Of their 11 total offensive drives in the game, only four resulted in three-and-outs. Three of those four three-and-out drives were the team’s first three in the game. So, they were able to move the football. The team just didn’t finish their drives.

Robert Griffin III was efficient with what he was asked to do. However, he wasn’t impactful. The one time he was able to make an impact play was on the 48 yard pass to TE Niles Paul down the seam. It was a beauty and it was a momentum swinging play. That is, until Paul decided to drop the church’s money. It was that kind of day for Griffin and the Washington Redskins offense.

“We had a route we use right down the middle of the field, and Robert (Griffin III) threw a great pass to him [Niles Paul] and they broke through there, broke the tackle and I guess he didn’t see they guy behind him, and he stripped him. Have to keep it tight when you’re down the field. We talk about it all the time. Good play by whoever that was, the defensive back. Unfortunately for us it was a negative play”.

In order for this team to improve, Griffin needs to make a few impact plays a game. That’s what made him so good in 2012. Of course, he needs time in the pocket to do that. It was a tough task for Washington going against the league’s best defensive player in JJ Watt. Texans Linebacker Brooks Reed and safety DJ Swearinger also gave the team fits.

“The thing is when you’re trailing, every pass rusher in the NFL becomes a problem,” said Jay Gruden. It’s a lot of third downs and you’re trying to catch up. Third down and long is also a terrible situation, but we’ve got to do a better job of protecting him. No question about it. We decided to do a play action pass and take a shot, and we’ve got to do a better job protecting. The quarterback has to do a better job of throwing it away if it’s not there. We tried to take a shot early in the game with the double move to Pierre (Garcon), and we took a 15-yard sack and then we’re at third and long. We tried a screen pass, and we’re out of there. There’s a lot that goes in to protection, quarterback decision making, receivers routes, and then obviously the protection in general. It’s a work in progress, and we’re going to continue to work.”

As Gruden mentioned, there’s a lot that goes into protection. Many people are quick to blame it all on the offensive line when pressure gets in the face of a QB. However, that’s not always the case.

In Sunday’s game, there were several occasions where Griffin could have made an impact play by eluding pressure. “He can run if he sees fit,” said Gruden on RGIII. “That is a decision every quarterback has to make in a drop back pass. We didn’t have many designed runs today, but when he is back to pass, he makes the decision to tuck it and run, that is on him. That is what a quarterback has to do. They have to make a decision. Saw (Ryan) Fitzpatrick today on the last third down and eight, and he made a decision to tuck it and run and made a good first down. We are never going to tell him not to run that’s for sure. We are going to tell him to  go through his progressions and if he sees a lane, run it.”

When I heard Gruden convey that last quote, it sounded to me as if he was graciously calling Griffin out on missing a few opportunities to make an impact play. As Gruden said, Fitzpatrick made an impact play by scrambling for a crucial first down late in the game. Griffin did well a couple times eluding pressure, but it needs to happen consistently. This is all part of his maturation process.

Right now, it’s a mental thing for Griffin. He’s got to get out his head and just play ball. That’s what made him so great in 2012. But I think he is hearing the noise a bit and trying to please the doubters. Everyone has to realize, however, he’s getting quality QB coaching for maybe the first time sine he’s been in the league. So it’s a week to week learning curve for him.

“I think he [Griffin] did some good things,” said Gruden. “There is no question about it but overall when you are grading your quarterback and you get a loss, you don’t get a very good grade. The quarterback is responsible for us getting in the end zone and we only had six points. So the play caller and the quarterback will get most of the criticism, as well they should, but then the turnovers, the ball carriers, the receivers – we have to protect the football. He did some great things at quarterback. Going 26 for 31 in the NFL is not easy, a lot of them were short passes, I understand that and I think it is a good start for him. A good building block moving forward to Jacksonville.”

As Gruden said, this game was a good building block moving forward to Jacksonville. The offense should feel good about some of the things they accomplished. But in order for the offense and Griffin to improve, they have to correct the errors. Griffin held himself accountable — “I have to be able to get rid of the ball quickly and also be accurate and be on time with all of those throws. That’s just part of playing quarterback. You might throw a great ball and have to pick yourself up off the ground because no one is going to have seventy second back there.”

I looked back at some of the film and placed a few screenshots on Instagram. Here’s the breakdown:

“Second sack that was allowed. Think #Redskins Trent Williams was supposed to slide over and fill. #FilmStudy”

• Above is one of the three sacks Houston had on Griffin. The Texans had a total of 14 QB hurries and three sacks. This is one that wasn’t on Griffin. It appears that LT Trent Williams missed a blitz pickup. He should have slid over to fill that hole.

“Here’s a sack that will get credited to Trent Williams, but I think it’s on Robert. Had opportunities to step up. He also had two outlets (Helu and DJax). Instead, he started moving back and ran into the sack. Trent did nothing wrong here. #Redskins #FilmStudy”

• Here’s one of those plays Griffin will need to improve on in the coming weeks. Again, Griffin was thinking too much here instead of going by instinct. It’s one of those “darn if you do, darn if you don’t” situations for him. He’s get criticized for trying to make a play. He’ll also get criticized if he doesn’t make a play. But you can’t miss opportunities like this.

“Here’s the other sack that will get credited to Polumbus. Helu did a great job with the blitz pickup. Polumbus handled JJ Watt — there was a lane for Griffin to either step up in the pocket for more time or scramble. But he stood there and began moving back. Watt then disengaged and sacked Robert. Not really Polumbus’ fault. #FilmStudy #Redskins

• Another example of where Griffin is thinking too much. The 2012 Griffin would have ran this. But again, Griffin is learning to improve on his game inside the pocket. If he improves on plays like this, you’ll see him making more of an impact.

“On that (horrible) RTP call. DJax has to read the hot blitzer. Griffin wanted to throw it. Would have at least been a first. Could have been a TD. #FilmStudy #Redskins”

• Here’s an example of  a missed opportunity that’s the receiver’s fault. Griffin was going to get hit either way. But it could have been an impact play.

“JJ Watt sack in the 4th Q. Polumbus held his own. Again, Rob should step up in the pocket. There were two lanes. He stood there and Watt disengaged. He’s learning — these are things Rob will continue to improve on. #Redskins #FilmStudy”

• Again, Griffin in 2012 would have ran this. It’s pretty obvious that Griffin is in his head contemplating what to do. In a way, that’s good to know. But he has to convert what he’s learned into a new instinct.

If the Griffin and the Washington Redskins clean up the errors, they should be just fine on offense. There’s no need to overreact. Once Griffin settles down and stops over-thinking things, he’ll be just fine.

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