Robert's development or lack thereof is going to play a huge role in determining not just how the Redskins fare on the field in 2015, but what direction the franchise goes at the crucial QB position down the road.
If we can, let's keep an eye out for relevant articles, discussions, signs, signals and other ruminations on his development through the summer, and use this thread to post appropriate links and discuss them in one easy-to-find place.
Saw this from Keim a few minutes ago, and it strikes me as a perfect jumping-off point:
If we can, let's keep an eye out for relevant articles, discussions, signs, signals and other ruminations on his development through the summer, and use this thread to post appropriate links and discuss them in one easy-to-find place.
Saw this from Keim a few minutes ago, and it strikes me as a perfect jumping-off point:
Washington Redskins RG III report: Extending plays during OTA work - NFL Nation - ESPN
It's only June 3, so do not go crazy reading too much into every throw or missed throw. What I try to see now is what he's working on and trying to accomplish. This is not a final grade; consider it a quiz early in the semester.
- One thing that jumped out is I did see him going through progressions in the red zone on multiple occasions; the hard part to know from our vantage point is whether he should have unloaded the ball or not.
- When his first read was there, Griffin got rid of the ball quickly. When it wasn't, he tended to hold the ball a little while. It led to a mixture of good and bad plays. Just a guess, but I'm sure the coaches would like to see the ball out quicker. But if he extends and then makes plays? That's OK, too. It's what he can do. The problem last year is that not enough good plays occurred outside the pocket and that must change this season. So it's an area to monitor.
- One bad play occurred in the red zone when he showed a skill that is useful in this area. The ability to extend a play is vital down here -- it's something they wanted to see more of from Kirk Cousins last year, especially against particular three-man rushes. On this one, Griffin was chased to his right by Trent Murphy and then tried to whip a sidearm pass into the end zone. Bad move. Bashaud Breeland played it well and was running to that area (right at the goal line) and intercepted the ball. Griffin then fell to the ground.
- Earlier, on a seven-on-seven drill, Griffin connected with running back Chris Thompson over the middle. Griffin did not panic despite Thompson not being his first read; of course without a rush it's easier to stay calm but he's also operating under an internal clock. Griffin gave a little fist pump after this throw.
- Griffin did a better job than he had in the past of trying to keep the ball alive when he runs. Saw him take off a couple of times and there was a mixture of runs and passes when he did so. But what I liked is that he kept the ball alive; in other words, he did not immediately commit to the run as he often had in the past (sometimes 10 yards behind the line). Quarterbacks should be getting rid of the ball in these drills and not running, but that is part of his game and always will be.
- Another time in the red zone Griffin looked over the middle, then to the left where he connected with Thompson, who got inside Chris Culliver.
- Griffin was sacked -- and knocked to the ground -- when the defense ran a little stunt with Trent Murphy and Trevardo Williams. The ball needed to come out quick, but without seeing film of the play it's hard to know if someone was open. I just know he was sacked.
- A good example of what I was talking about in terms of keeping a play alive: Under pressure, Griffin escaped to his left and rather than take off he set his feet and connected with rookie Evan Spencer over the middle.
- Now, another time in which he did escape the pocket and probably did what he should have considering the coverage. It occurred during a two-minute drill and the pressure forced him to the left. With the defense in man coverage, a quarterback with good wheels can take advantage and Griffin did, sprinting 20 or so yards to the 30-yard line where he slid (not the prettiest, but he got down). Three years ago he would have tried to get a few more yards.