The best QB in Fedex tonight...

[Primus Porcus]

The only problem I had with Robert last night was the decision to lower his shoulder into a tackler instead of ducking out of bounds. Because that's a mental thing. We know he KNOWS he can't throw his body into people like that, but his instinct still took over on that one. In a preseason game. And that's cause for concern.

The awkward sliding problem is clearly a problem, but it's physical, not mental. Yeah he slides like an octopus falling out of a tree, but the point is he's sliding--not taking on a tackler. At some point he's going to figure out how to fall down without twisting up his legs under him--I really have no doubt about that.

Assuming he lives long enough to do so given he'll still lower his shoulder into a tackler in a preseason game.

I honestly think his mind cant wrap itself around conceding anything. He's lived his whole life believing that he has to gain EVERY YARD or he wont achieve his goal. It's year, 3 and I agree that the bigger picture needs to be in the front of his mind. That he cant live 1 play at a time anymore. I will say that I'd rather have a guy we need to reel in, instead of a guy we need to push harder.

My response to the thread is this:


What I saw has it's fair share of concerns but it also had some positives we can take out of it.


Griff made a few plays where he made a couple reads, as well as one that he looked downfield and saw nothing, immediately felt pressure and dumped it to Helu... Helu dropped the pass but it was a catchable ball and led him enough that he had room to gain extra yardage. Griff went 6 for 8 with that dropped pass and an INT where he was essentially chewing on his centers helmet when he released the ball. There was ZERO possibility to step up into the pocket. He should have either tucked that ball and taken the sack, or thrown the ball 10 rows into the seats. Bad decision on his part, but a bad play as a whole.

As other have mentioned, the scramble to the left side was ugly. Take off? Sure. Gain the 6 yards and get the hell out of bounds. That is not acceptable and I'm sure Gruden is going to point that out.


I'm going to continue to be more patient with the offense because they are going to be a step behind the defense. The defensive playbook did not change. The learning curve is not there like it is on the offense. Griffin is re-inventing his style of play. He's doing it while learning a new playbook, and doing it in a vanilla system at game speed. Had it been the regular season, I firmly believe we would have scored on that goal line stand because even I saw they stacked the line and knew the run was coming. In that situation we probably would have seen Griff boot out and look for Reed or Paulsen with a run option...and it probably would have converted. IMHO Gruden kept that stuff tight to the vest and didnt want to put it on film.

 

[Cycleans]

Are we talking about his sliding skills or being coachable? I saw attempts to slide granted they were exceptionally poor...but I see progress. It's such a small sampling it's hard to say how much. Perhaps my definition is different when it comes to being coachable....

Its the 2nd preseason game of his third season. If he can't avoid big hits with his mind his legs can't cooperate. Cue the crowd who defend him by saying he didn't play two complete seasons so its not his 3rd year really... He didnt complete those seasons because he doesnt avoid big hits.


Throwing that pick when it should've been tossed out of bounds isnt being talked about enough either. That was a rookie throw.

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[Boone]

I'm not talking about sliding - he's made progress there be it ugly or not - at least he's attempting to slide. I'm talking about not going out of bounds when it's clear he can and should. He also had a couple plays where he should've taken a sack but instead took off and had unnecessary contact. I know it's a contact sport and sometimes it's a split second judgment. But a couple of his decisions last night were just plain dumb and likely totally contrary to what his coaches have preached all summer long.

 

[Dead Money]

We been told by coaches for all 3 of his NFL seasons that he had to be smarter and either throw it away, get out of bounds or slide. He continues to do his own thing. This tells me he's not very coachable in this particular facet of being a frachise qb, AND leads me to wonder what else he does his own way. Perhaps you see it different but chucking the ball into a defenders arms while feeling pressure is another indication hes not doing what he's told...protect the ball, take a loss there and make another play at another time. Smarts, coachable, greatness, these are all words that are still being thrown around and Im just saying show me...dont tell me. And yes the OL has issues but I saw him with some time last night at times...when you dont have time you have to live to fight another day.


And while we're on the subject of sliding...he should be the best sliderv in the nfl by now. The fact it hasn't improved is very dissapointing to me

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[Elephant]

I am not sure if my previous comment about Griffin's performance last night was taken as negative, but I saw more from him last night than I have seen in a while...especially looking off the defenders on the Roberts' completion. That was great! Although had he hit Roberts in stride, it would have been a TD. The completion to Jackson on the 2nd play of the game was him taking his time to read through his progressions to find the open man. This is all stuff, I was convinced he'd have a hard time with...and on both plays he got some protection.

As the game progressed, he took more on his shoulders and tried too hard to make things happen, as has been discussed. This still shows lack of maturity. He has to know he cannot win on every play and throw the friggin ball away. That interception was Rex Grossman like!

The stats are a bit misleading, yes he was 6-8, and that is solid...minus the INT. But he reverted to trying to do it himself instead of simply throwing the ball away.

For those who say its just pre-season, ok...fine. But the reality is, he is a 3rd year pro...and more often than I'd like, I see less than that from him.

I am still impressed with much of his play last night, but he still has a long row to hoe to be the "Great" QB so many are convinced he already is.

 

[Chris]

Growing pains happen when, you know, you're growing.

 

[Ax]

Lots of people, in lots of professions, are trained/coached to do things a certain way. Only to revert to what's natural to them when the bullets start flying.

Robert will either learn to better protect himself, or he won't.

He may be charmed from here on out, playing with reckless abandon, and never get seriously hurt again. Making many jaw dropping plays along the way. Along with some cringers, too.
He may not survive the preseason.

Who cares?

I hope, and believe, that he will be a great QB for us, for many years. But if not, it's next man up.

For the record, what it took to get him doesn't really matter. I don't buy into "we sold the farm", or that the picks we traded "set us back years" nonsense. Besides, nothing any of us can do about it anyway.

I'm all in, for week 1.

 

[MikeSr619]

Season 1 Robert didn't slide ever....we got pissed. Last night he attempted to slide 3 times
Season 1 and 2 Robert hardly used the check downs and it cost him picks or plays he shouldnt have gambled with. Last night and all preseason he has used his check downs.
Season 1 he talked about himself and did a ton of commercials...we got pissed. Last night and all preseason he has talked about his team and as far as I can see his commercials are old and nothing new coming out.

I think the kid is learning..perhaps (and just perhaps) the fans need to understand that it is not a switch to turn off or on to make it happen.

In 2013 he still threw for 3200 yards and 16 TDs in 13 games...we haven't had that in FOREVER!!

 

[Ax]

Exactamundo Mike!

 

[Boone]

The one thing we're seeing is exactly what I've been talking about - that he is not a 'ruined' QB as many were proclaiming last year. I think the arm strength and great passing we're seeing now (for the most part) is directly correlated to that leg of his being healed. He simply couldn't put his legs into his throws last season and all the talk about him never being accurate or an effective pocket passer is going to be proven wrong.

 

[MikeSr619]

Those passes that would fit in there even off his back foot because he was playing "Appalachian St" are NEVER going to work against a stud like Haden!! That is where I think he needs to get his head right the most. I dont mind if he takes a "lick" every now and then...its just in his nature to try and fit thru. If he isn't going 100% reckless abandon (like the play against Ngata) I think it is good for him and focuses him.

Is it kind of odd that not a big deal is being made of Morris and that drive killing fumble? He had the same issues last year...but for some reason he sneaks thru without much flack. Not saying he deserves it or there is any motive behind it...but is it because he isn't the QB?

 

[Primus Porcus]

Those passes that would fit in there even off his back foot because he was playing "Appalachian St" are NEVER going to work against a stud like Haden!! That is where I think he needs to get his head right the most. I dont mind if he takes a "lick" every now and then...its just in his nature to try and fit thru. If he isn't going 100% reckless abandon (like the play against Ngata) I think it is good for him and focuses him.

Is it kind of odd that not a big deal is being made of Morris and that drive killing fumble? He had the same issues last year...but for some reason he sneaks thru without much flack. Not saying he deserves it or there is any motive behind it...but is it because he isn't the QB?

3200 yards in 2 seasons and he's not a chronic fumbler. He had early preseason fumblitis last year too and he worked it out quick.

 

[MikeSr619]

he had it last beginning of the year, too...I'm not looking to make Morris seem like a problem.

 

[Cycleans]

I noticed the fumble pondered the thought...Running backs fumble...some often some not. But I noticed Stephen Davis only fumbled when we couldn't afford it. Other than that he was a premium back. Morris reminds me of Davis...it's early he's a high character guy just like our qbs. I like the chemistry of the role players.

 

[MattFancy]

Season 1 Robert didn't slide ever....we got pissed. Last night he attempted to slide 3 times
Season 1 and 2 Robert hardly used the check downs and it cost him picks or plays he shouldnt have gambled with. Last night and all preseason he has used his check downs.
Season 1 he talked about himself and did a ton of commercials...we got pissed. Last night and all preseason he has talked about his team and as far as I can see his commercials are old and nothing new coming out.

I think the kid is learning..perhaps (and just perhaps) the fans need to understand that it is not a switch to turn off or on to make it happen.

In 2013 he still threw for 3200 yards and 16 TDs in 13 games...we haven't had that in FOREVER!!

Damn it, don't come in here and post something logical!

Yes, he made some bad decision on his scrambling plays. Yes, the INT was bad. But overall, I liked what I saw from him. He was going through his progressions and making good decisions with his passes. He was 6/8 on the night. 1 drop by DJax that hit him in the hands and the INT. I didn't see anything last night that said to me that RG3 can't lead this team. I don't understand all the negativity from the fans.

 

[Special K]

I'm obviously an RG3 fan and want more than anything for him to be our star QB, no questions asked (like I think everyone else in here does). And while I believe that can happen, what concerned me last night (which a few others have mentioned) was his decision making with regard to extending plays at risk to himself. It's that mentality as a whole that concerns me and I hope to God we see him steadily improve his decision-making as far as getting out of bounds, sliding, dumping it off, etc. when needed.

I realize it's preseason, but a few of his decisions last night showed that the risk reduction mentality his coaches have been trying to pound into his head has still not fully sunk in. That absolutely is cause for concern. It appears he still hasn't fully grasped the notion that he's not superman and he doesn't need to extend plays and place himself at risk; this isn't about him and him being a hero, it's about longterm health and it's about the TEAM. He talks a good game as you can see from his post game comment last night, but I'm still waiting to see him consistently make that connection from what's coming out of his mouth to his actions on the field.

As for that slide....dear Lord. I will never, ever understand how such gifted athletes have such trouble sliding. Ahhhhhh!

 

[MikeSr619]

Adam Jones has offered to teach him how to slide. While it might have been a joke I would take him up on it if I was Griff

 

[micks113]

I love Griffin. I want him to be our QB for the next 15 years. I just do not understand why he cannot get it through his thick ****ing skull that a) his coaches have told him he has to eat bad plays and not make them worse by trying to make every play a TD, and b) that he can't survive playing recklessly. Brian has beaten this drum from day 1, and I have to say, I'm finally with him on this.

I hope Gruden has big enough balls to make it clear to Griffin that if he continues to make bad decisions, as well as put his own health at risk unnecessarily, that he won't be the starter.

I'm starting to think Griffin may really not be very coachable. I don't want to think that - but when your head coach has recently and repeatedly made public comments about your need to make better decisions and protect yourself, and your response is to come out and make terrible decisions in the very next game, and damn near get yourself hurt in a pre-season game - well, I don't know what else to make of that?

Looked pretty obvious didn't it Boone? And to think we all were worried if he had his mojo back or not. bwahaha

Here's what I saw:

I saw a QB that can't slide, doesn't know when to run out of bounds and can't throw from the pocket. In other words, he won't last long if he continues to run and take the hits. One more hit to the knee and career over. (I think I like Cousins so we must keep him or sink, Cousins will play 3- games this year imho.)

I saw a special teams play that still looks like last year that sucked.

I saw a defense that is average, and I can't give them credit for 3 and outs against a team like Cleveland.

( I won't say anything about the turnovers and goal line stand......it is preseason and those mean nothing at the moment, but Griffin has got a problem and lost a step).

We are still the worst team in the NFCEast.

 

[MattFancy]

Adam Jones has offered to teach him how to slide. While it might have been a joke I would take him up on it if I was Griff

Didn't he work with Bryce Harper last season? Now granted, Adam Jones is better

 

[MattFancy]

Looked pretty obvious didn't it Boone? And to think we all were worried if he had his mojo back or not. bwahaha

Here's what I saw:

I saw a QB that can't slide, doesn't know when to run out of bounds and can't throw from the pocket. In other words, he won't last long if he continues to run and take the hits. One more hit to the knee and career over. (I think I like Cousins so we must keep him or sink, Cousins will play 3- games this year imho.)

I saw a special teams play that still looks like last year that sucked.

I saw a defense that is average, and I can't give them credit for 3 and outs against a team like Cleveland.

( I won't say anything about the turnovers and goal line stand......it is preseason and those mean nothing at the moment, but Griffin has got a problem and lost a step).

We are still the worst team in the NFCEast.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but weren't all his throws from the pocket last night? That deep pass to Roberts came from inside the pocket. That 1st completion to DJax where he went through his reads, stepped up and completed the pass, came from the pocket. I'm wondering if we watched the same game?

Worst team in the NFC East? You're ready to declare that after seeing our first teams on the field for all of what, 5 or 6 drives this preseason?