Robert Griffin III has mechanic struggles explained by Steve Beuerlein
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) walks on the field during a break in the action against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Redskins defeated the Raiders 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Redskins second-year QB Robert Griffin III has been criticized heavily for what looks to be a big sophomore slump from the Baylor product, and we can only hope that RG3 has figured things out over the Redskins bye week. This week’s contest will pit the Washington Redskins against the rival Dallas Cowboys, and Robert Griffin III will definitely need to be at his best in order to match the Cowboys offense, which has been firing on all cylinders due to amazing play from Tony Romo and Dez Bryant.
Griffin’s struggles this season have been well-documented, as he’s thrown for four interceptions in four games this year. The funny thing is that I wonder if RG3’s struggles have simply been over-exaggerated, because he has still completed a little over 62% of his passes with a solid average of 7.1 yards per attempt. He isn’t playing nearly as well as a player of his talent should be, but I think some people are too quick to criticize him. He’s been throwing the football a lot this season, and the Redskins absolutely horrific secondary has put too much of a strain on Griffin to take risks and throw it deep to keep his team in games. If you look closely, Griffin’s struggles are over-exaggerated.
Former NFL quarterback Steve Beuerlein had a really nice NFL career with teams like the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, and he spoke with fellow analyst and former NFL QB Phil Simms on Robert Griffin III during yesterday’s “NFL Monday QB” on CBS Sports. Here’s the transcript from the Washington Post, and I found Beuerlein’s quote to be especially insightful.
“He had the major knee injury and I think it has affected his mechanics. Look how lazy he gets with his footwork. He’s not really planting off of that injured right leg. You can see him trying to get any help he possibly can by opening the gate and trying to muscle the ball out there. He’s just not throwing the ball the same way that he used to. So I think with his mechanics he has taken a step back, but I still think he’s potentially going to be as good as (any of the second-year quarterbacks). Also from a leadership standpoint, he showed a little bit of immaturity with the way he handled the playing time thing with head coach Mike Shanahan. I still think this guy is a fantastic leader and has an incredible future.”
Fair assessment right there from Beuerlein.
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