So, I have a small confession.  I didn’t get to watch any of the game on Sunday.  There was an engagement party.  I blame the groom.  While I know this is blasphemous, it was generally unavoidable in a happy girlfriend equals happy life kind of way.  Most readers will side with the bewildered authors of the numerous texts I received during the game (that followed the same progression from stunned (wait, what?), to inquisitive (are you ok?!), to mocking (I remember reading about castration), to informative (RGIII is owning this game)), but I don’t.  Let me explain why.  For most of the last 15 years, the Redskins have made the second half of the season largely irrelevant. Yes, at times we had mathematical abilities to make the playoffs (that occasionally worked out) but in reality, we were not contenders.  To me, the beginning of the season was the only time when I was actually excited (as my hopes hadn’t been crushed yet).  This meant I HAD to watch opening day as it was one of a precious 6-8 games that actually mattered.  So while I would have loved to see our Washington Redskins post 40 points in a winning, opening game effort at New Orleans, for the first time in years, its not that big a deal that I didn’t. This year, I’m optimistic that I still have at least 15 more games that matter, a refreshing concept that has been gone for too long.

- GBIII

Dan Daly analyzed Robert Griffin III’s limited number of passing plays this season for the Washington Times, finding that he has thrown far less than other highly drafted quarterbacks immediately called onto start.  Griffin threw just 31 times in 3 preseason appearances.  This is comparatively low relative to previous rookie quarterbacks over the past four years who threw nearly twice as often:

Cam Newton – 57

Andy Dalton – 60

Sam Bradford – 55

Matt Stafford – 55

Matt Ryan -59

Joe Flacco – 68

Andrew Luck – 64

Jay Cutler – 62 (2006, for Shanahan)

The numbers provide a very stark contrast as to how Griffin was used this preseason versus the way other comparable quarterbacks were used in their rookie preseasons.   The working theory is that Shanahan is playing his cards extremely close to the vest and does not think 25 more throws in preseason work outweighs the value of keeping RGIII’s ultimate role in the offense a mystery.  Okay. People are suspicious.  We’ll trust in Shanahan, and the role that he will play in throwing all sorts of novel and complicated looks at a defense.

Throughout preseason, RG3‘s speed put pressure on defenses in multiple regards.  On the wide zone outside running plays Shanahan’s ground game is built on, Griffin gets out from under center and wide to hand off to the running back at a trajectory that increases the speed of the runner, the angle he has when receiving the ball, and the overall efficiency and quickness of the play.   He’s perfect for Shanahan’s running game, which relies on wearing a defense out by moving them sideline to sideline.   He’s also perfect in his ability to make defenses respect him in bootleg situations and through play action, the second staple of a Shanahan offense.  Griffin is a former world-class 400-meter hurdler, considered by many to be the toughest race in track.  He’s got the energy to sell counters and run bootlegs for all four quarters; the defense will tire before he will.

The third preseason game is always the most important, and the Redskins put forth an encouraging performance against the Colts on Saturday night at Fed Ex Field.  The Colts were the worst team in the NFL last year, so excitement over the game must be tempered, but the Redskins did play very well.  Robert Griffin III was given more leeway than usual, and he responded with two solidly efficient scoring drives in the second quarter.  He was 11 for 17 for 74 yards and a touchdown.   He also ran once for five yards to convert a first down in the first quarter.  He showed an ability to move decisively in the pocket, taking short quick steps to evade pressure and find open throwing lanes.

Griffin was actually a very conservative runner at Baylor following his sophomore year knee injury.  He picks his spots and then tends to make purposeful open runs to territory.   He’s also not afraid to slide.  Where Griffin’s speed and the tireless energy of a world-class hurdler come into play is in his ability to execute all facets of the Shanahans’ spread option techniques.  Rich Campbell points this out in his film review of the offense.  On the touchdown throw to Moss, Griffin bursts to the outside and gets to the right point to hit Moss on the flat route. Throughout preseason, RG3‘s speed put pressure on defenses in multiple regards.   His 3^rd down pass to Josh Morgan looked great on both sides of the exchange.  Griffin comfortably eluded the rush then fired a dart to Morgan who made a nice catch to bring it in.   Griffin seems very comfortable within the pocket.  He demonstrated the ability to extend plays with his feet and find open receivers downfield numerous times this preseason.  Both he and his counterpart in the game and in history, Andrew Luck, seem to do this with relative ease.

On defense, the Redskins completely controlled the line of scrimmage. The Colts offensive line is their biggest question mark, so it’s difficult to draw any conclusions from the performance.  The defensive line looked great, Perry Riley continued to move quickly and noticeably from sideline to sideline, London Fletcher reminded everyone he’s ageless.  Ryan Kerrigan abused Winston Justice all game and drove him right into Luck several times.  The Colts couldn’t get anything going in the running game. The Colts had to earn every play, including the touchdown –though Madieu Williams was complicit on the play.  Tanard Jackson outplayed Williams.  Jackson is another player who has seemed to be all over the field during the last two preseason games.  Mike Jones agreed in his observation of the game.

Most of the line played and overall, the starters looked pretty good.  However, the Colts are not known for their ability to stop the run.  Alfred Morris gained 107 yards and made numerous gutty, weaving, inspired runs.  He seems to have locked down a spot in the final 53, but CFA still believes Royster is the starter.  The Shanahans enjoy cloaking their personnel decisions in veils of secrecy, so it’s likely we won’t know who’s starting at running back until we see who trots out to the huddle against the Saints

Chris Cooley was the most fun friend I never had.  He’s the guy that you hoped would show up to your party but you weren’t quite sure would. He’s the guy that breaks out the beer pong table at your little sister’s graduation party.  Well, at least I like to think he would.  Like most fans, I didn’t know Chris Cooley, and like most fans I thought he was great.  Why?  Because he tried to revitalize tight shorts, because he enjoyed Tony Romo’s failure, because he married The Redskinette, because he caught 428 balls and 33 tds, because he referred to himself as Captain Chaos, because he deposited his $9 million check at a drive-in, but mostly because despite all this, he seemed down to earth.  So Chris, from all of us, thank you for being the guy that for eight years invited the fans to experience just how fun being a professional football player can be.

P.S.- If you think your game is up for it, re-racks are only on 6 and 3.

The look

The party

The style

The legend

It will be interesting to see how the Redskins use the Colts game to evaluate the trouble at running back.  While the picture may seem cloudy, CFA believes the Evan Royster will ultimately hold onto the starter’s job he did so well with at the end of 2011.  Royster ran for over 120 yards in the last two games of last year, and he posted the highest all time DVOA for any running back with at least 40 carries.   56 carries is small sample size, but I think he definitely showed enough to be considered the starter especially given the current discord at the position.

Helu’s a physical specimen, but Royster’s perfect for the zone-blocking scheme.  It really stands out on the coaches tape from last year (now available!!!!,) he ALWAYS -like every play- picks the right hole to run through and is incredibly slippery in and out of cuts while maintaining control.  He’s like the blue car in F-Zero with incredibly tight steering in addition to slightly better than acceptable breakaway speed.

The Luck-Griffin debate is a difficult one for me.  I could not be more excited about spending the next 15 years or so rooting for Robert Griffin III.  I believe Griffin’s the answer we’ve been looking for in this city, and he can lead us to multiple championships.  The guy could and should own this town and win the hearts and minds of a battered, broken fan base.  If I weren’t uneasy about creating a decade long roadblock to post work happy hours, I would get a dog and name him RGIII just because it would give me a constant excuse to hear his name being called.  By me.  Still fun.  But after watching nearly every Stanford game last year, I’m incredibly bullish on Luck’s career path, namely I’m pretty much ready to crown him the greatest of all time before he’s played a snap.  His floor seems to be Canton.  It’s a lot to put on a guy but everything Luck has shown us so far indicates the expectations are warranted.

That said – Screw ‘em.  RGIII is our guy and he’s got the talent and composure and leadership abilities to compete with Luck for glory for the next two decades.  It’s one of them there good problems.   We look forward to this game and any others these two future stars may play.

RGIII v Luck Hoopla:

Heavy wallet? Lighten it with this $35 piece of history:

And Finally for those keeping track at home…

On Tuesday Tandler asked if Brandon Banks was a lock to make the roster.   His excellent kick-off return (punctuated by a pre-season appropriate muted celebration that CFA approved of given the circumstances) has left Banks’ stock soaring.  Tandler writes that in one breath Shanahan seems to confirm his spot is safe while in the next reiterating that he will need to contribute on wide receiver to make the team.   However, Rich Campbell wrote that Banks knows he still needs to prove himself at wide receiver to make the team.   He’s a dynamic player, but so are Aldrick Robinson and Dez Brescoe, and those two could make legitimate contributions as 4^th and 5^th receivers in the passing game.

Today Mike Jones spoke with Chris Cooley about managing expectations during the dog days of August.  Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen have gotten the majority of the targets in the preseason, and Cooley and Davis would like to see more balls throw their way.  But, the two veterans understand that Paul and Paulsen need to be evaluated and there are only so many balls to go around.

The chief concern coming off of the Bears game –besides the play of the offensive line- was the health of a number of key contributors, London Fletcher who didn’t play, and Brian Orakpo and Brandon Meriweather who were injured during the game.  In Orakpo’s case, the injury tore scar tissue from the torn pectoral muscle he had surgery on in January.   Meriweather has been coy about his knee injury but is generally expected to be available for Week 1.   So far it has appeared the Redskins have seemed to have had horrible injury luck, but the only significant contributor they are expecting to miss for Week 1 is Jammal Brown.

Even if Meriweather can come back healthy, it’s not a lock that he can plug the hole at strong safety.  CSN asked that question today; Tandler and El-Bashir both felt that he has been playing noticeably well in training camp and can be an asset for the club.   Meriweather has always been a ferocious tackler with considerable talents.   The concern for Meriweather will be his abilities in deep pass coverage where he has always been inconsistent.

Niles Paul still appears to be struggling; however the team has a lot invested in him.  Shanahan sees him in the same mold as Shannon Sharpe and even introduced the two according to this Times piece by Stepehen Whyno.   We like Niles Paul and laud him for his special teams play.  We’d like to see him be Shannon Sharpe.  Thus far in the preseason he has not done so.

CFA was particularly concerned with the performance of the first team defense on the opening drive where they walked down the field.  If everyone’s healthy Week 1 –and for right now it appears that everyone will be though there have been more than a few scares already- then we should feature an elite front seven.  Perry Riley has looked particularly explosive this preseason, though he got completely faked out by Michael Bush on the Bears second touchdown of the first quarter.

The secondary however, continues to have questions that went unanswered Saturday.  Brandon Meriweather has played well during training camp, so the team was relieved to learn his injury wasn’t serious.  But it’s still a concern for a player who’s bounced around a lot prior to joining the team.  Cedric Griffin was victimized on the first long pass to Marshall and was also beaten on a long pass to Stevie Smith last week.  It’s early, but he’s going to be counted on to be our nickel back and needs to perform better to keep us from getting shredded in the passing game.  At least Tandler liked the play of Richard Crawford.

Kirk Cousins was spectacular but he did it against backups.  We think preseason games can be informative, however only in the sense that starters going against starters is still a game between professional football players even if the formations are vanilla.  And really, that criticism of preseason play might be decreasing at least where defense is concerned. Chicago was using a number of different blitz packages against Griffin, and the Redskins have also been using various zone blitz concepts in each of the last two games.

But any success accrued when the scrubs are in must be taken with a grain of salt as any Marko Mitchell jersey owners can attest.  Most of them are exceptional football players, but the majority is not at the professional level.  It was great to see Kirk Cousins do so well just as it was great to see Brescoe and Robinson shine.   But it cannot be carried farther then that their performance indicates they are developmental players with a nice shot to make the tail end of the roster.  The idea of a quarterback controversy is nonsense.  However, it is worth getting excited about Cousins as a player who could step in for 4 or 5 games and perform competently if Griffin went down.

On the other hand, this is the official Redskins  Rap Sheet (in terms of the police).