Whos afraid of Griffin?

[StorminMormon86]

C00ley brought up the o-line's play on 980 on Tuesday. He basically said that they did "ok" for the most part. But he adamantly refuted the notion that the o-line sucks, and that Griffin was getting killed behind the line. He said that once Griffin starts moving, the "pocket" moves with him, and that no one should expect these huge linemen to try to keep up with Griffin.

[crazyhorse1]

Really? Even though he completed 75% of his passes and moved the offense most of the day in spite of horrid offensive line play? Honestly, at this point he just needs to move on because apparently no matter what he does it isn't going to be good enough for people here.

According to my math, Griffin's completion percentage was a couple of points higher than 75%. I also note that most of his incomplete passes were throw-aways. The man completed more than 80% of his actual attempts. I also note that he leads the league in completion percentage. If he keeps on doing that, we'll be in the playoffs.
We're not going to keep on losing because of freak plays.

[markshark84]

Really? Even though he completed 75% of his passes and moved the offense most of the day in spite of horrid offensive line play? Honestly, at this point he just needs to move on because apparently no matter what he does it isn't going to be good enough for people here.

I am less concerned with a 75% completion rate and more concerned with the fact his average completion went 3.7 yards vertically. In the NFL, I am fairly confident almost all QBs and backups could throw the ball 4 yards and complete it. Completion % is not the stat anyone should rely on to determine performance. After all, RGIII's completion % was only 5% lower in 2013 vs. 2012 --- and he only completed >75% in 2 games in 2012; in those games we scored 38 and 31 points, respectively -- a far cry from our 6 against HOU.

The stat that shows true performance was a horrendous 29 QBR (a stat that assesses "contribution" to scoring points) --- which he ranked 27th in the league last week. Over 50% of our drives were 5 plays or less. He fumbled twice (one recovered); once in the redzone. The fact of the matter is that last week --- no matter how you look at it --- was sloppy. Only 1 player touches the ball on every offensive play (other than the C in a meaningless snap).

And we move on when it is appropriate. And he was good enough in 2012. In fact, he was unreal, the best QB I had seen in DC --- IMHO, CLEARLY better than any QB I have seen in my life as a skins fan --- even better than my personal favorite Mark Rypien in 1991. But the fact is he got hurt, and appears to be a vastly different player. I don't believe he currently SHOWS the confidence on the field he once had --- he may say he has it, but I don't SEE it on the field. Talk is cheap. He makes more mistakes, he hesitates/takes longer to make decisions, etc. This could very well be a by product of playing in his first "true" game back after the injury or that he needs to re-gain his confidence by playing. The jury is still out.

What I find concerning is the predisposition people (fans, media, etc) have towards RGIII right now --- without having a true understanding of where he really stands as a player. People either are apologists providing excuses or want him gone now without giving him a true chance to show he has fully rehabilitated. I am neither. He has EARNED a shot to show us that he has fully recovered from his injury by giving him an ENTIRE season. If he doesn't show us that he has recovered, we should CONSIDER alternatives. If no better alternatives are available via THE DRAFT, our FO should weight the options on the roster next August.

But in the meantime, I don't see why we can't evaluate HIS PERFORMANCE on a game to game basis. That is what I am doing. I am not concluding what we should do with RGIII long term. I am only providing my opinion on how his performance up to this point in time.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Since we are straying from the topic...

My friend is a big Pats fan.. and Brady put up a nearly identical game to Robert only less yards worse completion percentage less ypa an int and more sacks..
instead of breaking down every play bla bla bla he actually started a poll in my FF league on if Brady is the best qb in the league! Lmmfao thats Skins fans for ya!
Winning cures all... this fan base needs a large dose of it

[Irn-Bru]

I think Griffin did as well as anyone could with that putrid offensive line. You could put Tom Peyton Brady-Manning Namath behind that porous O-line and they'd get creamed, too. I'm amazed that nothing was done to improve that vital aspect of the team.

The line can be better, but not sure what you mean that nothing was done to improve the o-line. They spent a third round pick on Morgan Moses and a third on Spencer Long. Signed Shawn Lauvao and moved Lichtensteiger out of the guard position where he struggled so bad. I know these aren't necessarily immediate improvements, but what is it exactly you think they should have done?

Personally I kind of think the o-line was a lot like Griffin last week. Not great, not terrible. If I were handing out grades, they'd both get a C or C-.

Agreed. What a bizarre comment. We have two new starters and are working hard to train the replacement of one other — he might be in there before the season is done. We also improved the quality of our backups, with one or two of them legitimately looking like a replacement for yet another current starter.