Under the C: Indians-A’s & An Ode to Steve Karsay
August 24, 2016A conversation with WFNY ownership – WFNY Podcast No. 525
August 24, 2016When the Washington Redskins traded up and selected quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the team was expecting him to be their franchise quarterback for years to come. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2012, Griffin had yet another knee injury in 2013, this time a torn ACL, the gunslinger was never the same on the field, or so we thought.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter joined WKNR’s “The Golden Boyz” and had plenty to talk about, including the fact that this preseason, RG3 is playing as well as he did during his first season in the NFL.
Schefter: Everything that we have seen has RGIII looking as good as he was during his rookie year.
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 23, 2016
Obviously, it’s a small sample size, but the 26-year-old has shown plenty of promise this preseason. In two preseason games with the Browns, Griffin has completed 10-of-16 pass attempts for 163 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception for a 110.2 rating. While it may not have been against the opponents’ top defense—with plenty of opposing starters deciding to sit out—his level of play has been refreshing for a player who did not take a snap a season ago.
For comparison’s sake, during his rookie season Griffin completed 258-of-393 passes for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions, to go along with 120 carries for 815 yards and seven touchdowns.
Just two games this preseason is too small of a sample size to fully comprehend and predict what RG3 might do this season, but why not have a little fun and make some predictions, right?
The Browns are arguably the worst team in the NFL and may not have much of an offensive line, but with a receiving group that includes Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor Sr., to go along with Josh Gordon when he returns after his four-game suspension, this offense has nothing to lose.
Griffin may never be able to fully recover from his knee injuries and from not playing a single snap in 2015, but if he resembles just a little bit of his rookie self, he has the chance to be one of the most talented quarterbacks to don the Browns uniform since their return in 1999.
63 Comments
sure, genetics mean that even on the short-side of the Matthews lottery you get a chance to play in the NFL after starting in the SEC. not too shabby.
Which is absolutely nuts. They had JUST drafted Joel Bitonio and noted that the main reason for his success was that they pigeon-holed him at LG from Day 1 and had him focus on footwork from that position.
So, let’s take another high-round OL but make him learn all five OL positions and see what happens. Ugh.
Well, it is just his second year. Most places are going to give a guy that chance if he is showing anything in OTA’s. Some will just be quicker w/ a hook should he fail. Let’s see how he does against McCoy this week.
Now, Justin Gilbert, on the other hand, …
I honestly think they took Cam Erving to be their utility 6th man on the offensive line and never had full intentions of him being the starting center heir apparent. And that they used a first round pick to do it.
If Griffin is anything closely resembling a competent QB, I think it speaks most highly of Hue.
That dude made Dalton look good.
No doubt they picked him to be utility 6th man in 2015 from how he was handled.
I do think they knew Mack was gone and picked him to eventually take over. They learned the lesson that you don’t pick for the next year when you aren’t guaranteed to be there that long.
I caught this little tidbit from the PFF preview: https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-2016-season-preview-cleveland-browns/
“The last time we saw RG III in the regular season was 2014, with Week 2 that year being his last positively graded game. RG III is one of the most accurate QBs in the league when healthy, but his issues stem from decision-making under pressure. He still ranked in the top five in adjusted completion percentage when facing pressure, but when forced to go through progressions and throw late, he struggles. When throwing under/over 2.5 seconds per dropback, Griffin’s passer rating drops from 99.9 (under 2.5 seconds) to 66.4 (over).”
This is available data that the front office would have had, which makes me think this isn’t just a happy coincidence. Hue Jackson’s stated goal is to get RG3’s average time-to-throw below 2.5 seconds. I like to see a plan come together.
Nice info!!! Good find.
I know, right?
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One one-thousand, two one-thou…..dammit Cam!
So far Cam has been unsuccessful in thwarting Hue’s plan. RG3 is getting the ball out in an average of 2.4 seconds through six series in the preseason. But be wary… GAME PLANNING is coming, and we will need to batten down the hatches.
Thanks for this. I’m going to have the A-Team theme song in my head every time I see Hue Jackson on the sidelines from now on.