As the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins lay in a concussed heap upon FedEx Field, you could feel the collective grimace of the fans who witnessed the hit live, the despair of those watching on television, and the hindsight of those on social media. “It’s possible he could play next week against Baltimore”.
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A Redskins executive official told ESPN on Friday Griffin was “fine” and could be fit to face the Ravens next week. Was he wrong to send Griffin back out like a sacrificial lamb?
After the beating Griffin took, why did the coach send him out for that fourth series?
“No”, he answered.
The coach adds that he “would imagine, depending how long” Griffin is out, “he’s still going to be our starter”. “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen”.
Griffin completed just 2 of 5 passes for 8 yards and once again looked like a shell of the quarterback who took the NFL by storm as a rookie. Early on, he had one pass batted down by linebacker Tahir Whitehead. Griffin’s appearance on the field against Detroit was a category five disaster.
Stat of the game: The Redskins’ first-team offense played four series and recorded a grand total of 16 yards.
Griffin’s numbers were pathetic, but the offensive line should also be held accountable here.
Colt McCoy, Griffin’s replacement and backup, threw for 80 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-6 passing in the Redskins’ 21-17 win. I know I wouldn’t want the guy that came out and said “Yeah I’m the worst QB in the NFL, but I’ll get better”.
Left tackle Trent Williams did not play, and his backup, Willie Smith, was a revolving door on the left side. They were 125/1 long shots last week, so somehow their odds have improved despite obvious question marks at quarterback and along the offensive line.
“We gave up some pressure tonight, no doubt about it”, Gruden said after the game. He also got a stinger in his right shoulder, but Gruden said that should be OK. Then comes a day of non-contact activity during practice.
Griffin himself isn’t exempt from blame here. “We’re going to have things to improve on every game”. We didn’t see him use read options or rollouts.
Warford was injured a short time later when his right leg got caught under a pile and he fell backwards awkwardly. He fumbled twice.
The final point the Redskins desired to observe.
[Breaking down all six hits on RGIII].
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The players filed into the stadium early and walked down to greet Crowder and Cofield, two players that helped turn Duke’s program around in the last couple of years. Another time the end rushed past him, but he said his job was to block down on the play.
