Three things that RGIII needs to prove against the Ravens
by Chad Morgan
Robert Griffin III has practiced all week long for the Washington Redskins. Griffin was knocked out early in the second quarter of last week’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions. He left the game with a shoulder stinger and a concussion.
All indications are that if Griffin passes the league mandated concussion protocol, he will start in the game against the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday night in Baltimore. Griffin will undergo the league mandate concussion protocol exam on Thursday.
Head Coach Jay Gruden has said that if Griffin is cleared to play that he will indeed start the game. If that is the case then Griffin is going to have to improve his play and he will have to hope for better offensive line protection.
Here is a small look at three things that Robert Griffin III must do against the Baltimore Ravens to prove that he should be the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins heading into the 2015 NFL regular season:
1. Griffin needs to call better plays
The one thing that critics have been saying about Robert Griffin is that he is not able to call the right plays. One thing that Jay Gruden plans on doing with RG3 this season is allowing him to call his own plays from the line of scrimmage.
Griffin needs to know what plays to call according to the defensive setup and alignment that is being presented to him. It is apparent that Griffin has not been able to do that.
The running game has certainly been the bright spot on offense for the first team this preseason. The first team passing game has not been there. Griffin has been pressured but that too could have to do with not calling better plays to ensure blocking.
Griffin will certainly need to show in Baltimore that is able to call better plays according to the defense scheme that he is lining up against.
2. Griffin needs to show he is a better passer
One thing for certain is that Robert Griffin has a strong arm. That was evident in the opening game against the Cleveland Browns when he hit a wide open Pierre Garcon but Garcon dropped the ball. That is the only downfield pass he has thrown the whole preseason.
RG3 has been opting for short passes but he has not been accurate with them and that has been his biggest problem. This was actually a problem that has plagued him for the past two years.
Griffin needs to be more confident in the pocket and when he throws a pass he needs to be more controlled and not see how hard he can throw it or take zip off the ball just because he thinks he has the time to do that.
Several balls were batted at the line last week against the Lions because Griffin just didn’t have zip on the ball.
3. Griffin needs to show more confidence
Ever since RG3 had the devastating knee injury in 2012, his confidence in the pocket has taken a nose dive. This has been the reason that his stats have been so poor.
Griffin needs to show that he has a lot of confidence in his offensive line. He needs to show that he has confidence in his receivers.
The woes from last week have to stay there and he has to be confident that he can beat the Baltimore Ravens. The game in Baltimore will be one where RG3 can wipe his slate and go out and prove to his critics that he indeed is worthy of being the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins.
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