***OFFICIAL*** 2012 Washington Redskins Season Thread (1 Viewer)

[dgreen]

I was just thinking about how rare it was to hear Ware's name on Thanksgiving. He had the big hit on Griffin when he was unblocked. Trent Williams must have owned him all game.

 

[Assani Fisher]

While RG3 bought friends and family 20 tickets to the game, his left tackle, Trent Williams, doubled that as he returned to Texas to play. This was not the display he wanted to put on for those friends and family. Though he won the game, and didn’t allow Griffin to hit the deck, he was responsible for four hurries and owed as much to Griffin’s escapability than to his blocking for that. Williams was also flagged for a false start and was beaten in the run game frequently, most worryingly by backup Tyrone Crawford.Williams has the ability to be one of the league’s premier tackles, and has been at times this season, but this was a game he will not look back on fondly, and perhaps the pressure of playing in front of so many friends and family simply got to him. He will look to bounce back.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/11/23/refo-redskins-cowboys-week-12/

 

[Marvelous]

Does everything John Mara does center around the Redskins? From PFT:

John Mara favored the red-flag rule, now wants to see it reviewedPosted by Michael David Smith on November 24, 2012, 6:45 AM EST Giants owner John Mara, who supported the NFL rule preventing any play from being reviewed if a coach wrongly threw his challenge flag, has had a change of heart. Mara e-mailed Mike Garafolo of USA Today to say the rule — which handed the Texans a gift touchdown on Thursday because Lions coach Jim Schwartz wrongly challenged the obviously wrong call — needs to be reviewed. “I certainly plan to address that with the competition committee,” Mara wrote. “I think that play needs to be reviewed and I’m sure we will have a discussion about the rule in February.” Mara had previously favored the rule in part because of something that happened in a 2010 game between his Giants and the Redskins: After a close play went against them, the Redskins wanted some extra time to determine whether they should challenge it. So after the officials had spotted the ball for the next play, Redskins linebacker London Fletcher walked up to the ball and kicked it, delaying the game and giving the Redskins more time to consider a challenge. Fletcher was flagged for that move, but the Redskins were still allowed to challenge, and Mara wanted a rule that said a team can’t benefit from a replay review after committing a penalty to delay the next snap. But on Thursday, Schwartz’s challenge didn’t delay the next snap. Schwartz was simply asking the officials to review the play, which they were going to do anyway. It’s dumb to take away a replay review just because a coach asks for a replay review. This is a rule the NFL needs to change. The sooner, the better

 

[dgreen]

So much talk recently about the Giants losing tonight, setting up a showdown next week in DC. But, something that has already happened today is that the Vikings, Buccaneers, and Seahawks all lost and fell to 6-5 for final wild card spot. So, even if the Giants win tonight and the Skins can't take a hold of the division next Monday, they are already within a game of the playoffs. And they hold HTH tie-breakers over TB and MIN (and even NO who is in the wild card race).

Meaningful December games are awesome.

 

[thayman]

So much talk recently about the Giants losing tonight, setting up a showdown next week in DC. But, something that has already happened today is that the Vikings, Buccaneers, and Seahawks all lost and fell to 6-5 for final wild card spot. So, even if the Giants win tonight and the Skins can't take a hold of the division next Monday, they are already within a game of the playoffs. And they hold HTH tie-breakers over TB and MIN (and even NO who is in the wild card race).Meaningful December games are awesome.

That loss to St Louis is really hurting.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

So much talk recently about the Giants losing tonight, setting up a showdown next week in DC. But, something that has already happened today is that the Vikings, Buccaneers, and Seahawks all lost and fell to 6-5 for final wild card spot. So, even if the Giants win tonight and the Skins can't take a hold of the division next Monday, they are already within a game of the playoffs. And they hold HTH tie-breakers over TB and MIN (and even NO who is in the wild card race).Meaningful December games are awesome.

That loss to St Louis is really hurting.

Carolina

 

[Sebowski]

So much talk recently about the Giants losing tonight, setting up a showdown next week in DC. But, something that has already happened today is that the Vikings, Buccaneers, and Seahawks all lost and fell to 6-5 for final wild card spot. So, even if the Giants win tonight and the Skins can't take a hold of the division next Monday, they are already within a game of the playoffs. And they hold HTH tie-breakers over TB and MIN (and even NO who is in the wild card race).Meaningful December games are awesome.

That loss to St Louis is really hurting.

Carolina

 

[dgreen]

This is the Sean Taylor week. Five years.

 

[TxBuckeye]

From Peter King's MMQB article:

Dr. Z Unsung Man in the Trenches of the Week

The award for the offensive lineman who was the biggest factor for his team in the weekend's games, named for my friend Paul Zimmerman, the longtime SI football writer struggling in New Jersey to recover from three strokes in November 2008. Zim, a former collegiate offensive lineman himself, loved watching offensive line play.

Will Montgomery, C, Washington. A standout all season for Washington, he's the No. 2 rated center in the game this year, according to ProFootballFocus.com rankings. Montgomery kept Robert Griffin III clean all game Thursday and was a force in the running game as well. The Redskins did a very smart thing in the offseason when they knew they were in cap jail but also knew they wanted to keep this promising 29-year-old center as the centerpiece for a rebuilt line to protect RGIII. They signed him to an extension through the 2016 season, guaranteeing only $2.5 million of his deal; Montgomery will earn $12 million over the next four years, a good deal for a center who earned it, and a good deal for the team paying him.

 

[dgreen]

While RG3 bought friends and family 20 tickets to the game, his left tackle, Trent Williams, doubled that as he returned to Texas to play. This was not the display he wanted to put on for those friends and family. Though he won the game, and didn’t allow Griffin to hit the deck, he was responsible for four hurries and owed as much to Griffin’s escapability than to his blocking for that. Williams was also flagged for a false start and was beaten in the run game frequently, most worryingly by backup Tyrone Crawford.

Williams has the ability to be one of the league’s premier tackles, and has been at times this season, but this was a game he will not look back on fondly, and perhaps the pressure of playing in front of so many friends and family simply got to him. He will look to bounce back.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/11/23/refo-redskins-cowboys-week-12/

@granthpaulsen

Trent Williams said he bruised his thigh on the third play of the game in Dallas. Said he played at 60% health for the rest of the game.

 

[dgreen]

A short ESPN piece, Remembering Sean Taylor.

 

[dehaven123]

this is it, boys.

the 2012-13 wash redskins' season defining gm is upon us.

gmen @ wash, mon nite.

r the skins a legit contender going into nxt season or r they jus another team with 'promise'.

cowboys and philly wins bak to bak is solid, but we all know they r not contenders, and instead r 'feather in the cap' type wins.

the gmen? totally diff. in yrs past recently, we know the deal, the gmen get hot and make a run. the win over the pack sun nite does nothing to discredit that eventuality. gmen win the div and make a deep run, right?

but wat if the skins win?

standings aside(yes, gmen still prolly win the div), it would for sure preclude a run to the playoffs for the skins, imo, and a team defining win going forward into nxt season.

a loss and were jus another team w/ upside, but no record of true achievement to build on. close losses to atl and the gmen are no reason to expect anything different nxt yr.

a win and it's a game changer. maye not this yr, but nxt yr.

 

[dgreen]

Moss' 3.8 receptions and 49 yards per game last year were career lows for him. And that was as a starter. He's on the downside of his career. He's not as fast as he used to be. The talk this offseason was about him losing weight, but I still have a hard time believing he's going to increase his production.I think Moss is headed for WR3 or WR4 status on the Redskins. Once you include the TE and RB positions receiving targets, the picture isn't pretty for Moss as a fantasy-relevant WR. The Redskins were 5th in pass attempts last year. I don't see that repeating.

In a way, I owe Moss an apology. In a way, I don't.Basically, Moss is WR3 or WR4 on the Redskins. Garcon, when healthy, is clearly WR1. Morgan gets the starts at WR2. When Garcon was injured, the starting role mostly went to Hankerson. Morgan leads the team in targets (52) and Moss is tied with Hankerson for second (45). Moss is currently averaging 2.6 REC and 37.8 YDS per game.Of course, Moss' largest value to the team has come in the value of his receptions, scoring 7 TDs already. His first four TDs this season either tied the game or gave the Skins a lead after trailing. His 5th TD cut a Pittsburgh 10-0 lead to 10-6 (missed XP). His two TDs the last two games have been of the back-breaking variety. Against PHI, he beat two defenders for a jump ball to give them an 18-point 3rd quarter lead and scored the 4th TD of the Redskins monstrous 2nd quarter in Dallas to give them a 28-3 lead.Other than his fumble to end the Giants game (on a day that everyone was turning the ball over), he's been very solid. He's picked up key first downs (had one or two on the final drive in Dallas) and has been a clutch receiver for RG3.RG3's propensity to spread the ball around to many receivers and the Redskins' running philosophy will keep anyone not name Garcon from having a huge day. So, statistically (other than the TDs), my Moss prediction is pretty much right on. However, my view of him as a player was a bit off since I was pretty much ready to write him off as a meaningful part of the offense.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Jammal Brown placed on IR.

 

[Assani Fisher]

The Washington Redskins are a team that has struggled to replace Brian Orakpo and it’s made life a lot harder for Ryan Kerrigan. If they were to add a complimentary pass rusher, even in just their sub-package defense so Babin has his hand on the ground, would that not help? They got a firsthand look at what we could do when he got the better of Tyler Polumbus with ease. A serious playoff push requires seriously asking these questions.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/11/27/jason-babin-trash-to-treasure/

 

[Sidewinder16]

The Washington Redskins are a team that has struggled to replace Brian Orakpo and it’s made life a lot harder for Ryan Kerrigan. If they were to add a complimentary pass rusher, even in just their sub-package defense so Babin has his hand on the ground, would that not help? They got a firsthand look at what we could do when he got the better of Tyler Polumbus with ease. A serious playoff push requires seriously asking these questions.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/11/27/jason-babin-trash-to-treasure/

'Skins made an attempt to claim him. Too bad they're better than the Jags?

 

[Sidewinder16]

Jammal Brown placed on IR.

Didn't see it noted earlier, but Keenan Robinson was also put on IR. Bryan Kehl was claimed off waivers to replace him.

 

[Assani Fisher]

really good RG3 analysis: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/01/robert-griffin-perfect-play-action/

 

[dgreen]

:crickets: around here.

Don't make me go to extremeskins to find someone to talk to about tonight's game.

 

[Sebowski]

:crickets: around here.Don't make me go to extremeskins to find someone to talk to about tonight's game.

I'll be your huckleberry.I was really confident going into Dallass. Tonight, not so much. Monday Night games make me nervous. I don't know the stats, but I'd bet our winning percentage in recent history might be around 20% on MNF. Giants games also make me nervous. I We swept them last year and almost won in NY this year, so I should feel a little calmer about tonight, but I can't shake the previous few years of getting owned by the Giants. position by position they are better than us everywhere except QB. We really need to get ShEli on his ### early and keep him there. I don't see us stopping all the big plays. Hopefully we can match them with some of our own. We got some great big plays last week. Part of me is still stunned that Robinson didn't drop that ball. I'm just too used to seeing those big plays fall through the finger tips. It is different now with RG3 though. Corner is turning in or favor. A win tonight would be a great statement. Not to the league, not to the media. To the fans. And I could really use it.

 

[dgreen]

Yeah, we are used to seeing Redskins teams come out completely un-matched in big games. Before the last Giants game, I talked about it being a big game and how the Redskins tend to fail in those situations. Well, depending on one's perspective, they either failed in that game or showed positive signs. They basically had the Giants beat. They were up 3 with a minute left despite badly losing the turnover battle. Those are the positives. The negative, of course, is that they didn't win. They, once again, lost a big game.

I'm more excited about tonight than any other regular season game since 2007. We've seen Griffin on various stages and now we get the MNF stage.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

im excited and nervous. ultimately, the Giants are a better team, and i suspect they will win. i just hope we make it a game and dont get embarrassed. If we do happen to win..... i will be very very happy!

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

I'm sad because I can't watch the game. I work for the company that names our field so I'm super busy. I will see who wis at midnight when my alarm goes off. If they where to win, the next few weekd would be great. Besides the more we win, the further down the Rams pick with our draft pick.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I'm sad because I can't watch the game.

No you aren't. Defense is absolutely embarrassing themselves tonight.

 

[Raider Nation]

I heard that Shanahan said in his presser that it is time to start evaluating talent. That matches his claim before the game that this was a must-win game. Interesting to see what "talent" he is talking about.

Well this seems like a long time ago.

 

[dgreen]

The meaningful games last at least one more week.

 

[dgreen]

I heard that Shanahan said in his presser that it is time to start evaluating talent. That matches his claim before the game that this was a must-win game. Interesting to see what "talent" he is talking about.

Well this seems like a long time ago.

It was a ploy to...oh, nevermind.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Haslett is improving this defense week after week. It still needs alot of work. Good game. We would have lost if it wasnt for penalties on the Giants part. But ill take it. They owe us for the last game.

Either way.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Next week against Baltimore will be tough, but I could see them winning the last three and winning the division. They'd need the Giants to go 2-2 down the stretch, which could happen, given how inconsistent the Giants are.

 

[dgreen]

Yes, Baltimore could be tough. It'll be cool to have such a big game against a geographic rival. After that is CLE, PHI, and DAL; not the toughest stretch of games.

 

[Ghost Rider]

They should be able to run all day on Baltimore. On the flip side, Torrey Smith could be dangerous against the torchable Redskins secondary. Should be a fun game.

 

[Raider Nation]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheetRedskins owner Dan Snyder congratulating everyone in locker room, tells one staffer, "I hate those motherf-----s."

 

[dgreen]

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheetRedskins owner Dan Snyder congratulating everyone in locker room, tells one staffer, "I hate those motherf-----s."

Sometimes I like that guy.

 

[dgreen]

Despite the win, I must point out the horrible use of a timeout in the first half. After a Morris run with about 1 minute left in the first half at the Giants 10 yard line, Shanahan called a timeout. Absolutely horrible decision. The Giants ended up getting the ball back with about 40 seconds and drove down for a FG as the half ended.

I just don't get that timeout at all.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Suggs apparently tore his biceps yesterday, and is not likely to play next week, so running on the Ravens probably just got even easier.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Loved the 2nd down play action pass to Garcon just before the 2 minute warning. Too often we see teams get conservative, be content to run the ball and punt.

Season defining moment there.

This year is starting to remind me of the two late season runs Gibbs had in 2005 and 2007. Except they don't need to play over the heads or be inspired by tragedy. They have the talent to run the table.

 

[TeddyKGB]

<br />Despite the win, I must point out the horrible use of a timeout in the first half.  After a Morris run with about 1 minute left in the first half at the Giants 10 yard line, Shanahan called a timeout.  Absolutely horrible decision.  The Giants ended up getting the ball back with about 40 seconds and drove down for a FG as the half ended.<br /><br />I just don't get that timeout at all.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Inexplicable. Idiotic. Infuriating. And the play that came out of that timeout was the screen to Garçon where he went OOB. Just a bunch of fail all around.

 

[thayman]

Not sure if you guys have noticed but that Griffin kid is pretty good.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I did not see the second half. Did the D actually wake up and play well? Or was it a matter of the Giants shooting themselves in the foot? Because I saw nothing in the first half that made me think this defense could stop anyone, but apparently they did!

 

[BobbyLayne]

I did not see the second half. Did the D actually wake up and play well? Or was it a matter of the Giants shooting themselves in the foot? Because I saw nothing in the first half that made me think this defense could stop anyone, but apparently they did!

In stretches they played very well. Forced a 3 and out, ending with a sack, after the TD pass. But mostly they owned the flow of the game thanks to AlMo and Co.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Despite the win, I must point out the horrible use of a timeout in the first half. After a Morris run with about 1 minute left in the first half at the Giants 10 yard line, Shanahan called a timeout. Absolutely horrible decision. The Giants ended up getting the ball back with about 40 seconds and drove down for a FG as the half ended.

I just don't get that timeout at all.

When they completed the pass to get the first down at the 12 the offense starting to move as if they were in hurry up mode. I was begging them to slow down and milk a little clock. They did, but they screwed it up with the TO + running out of bounds.

I was sure we'd lose the game because of it, but they made up for it with that smart and gutsy second down play action pass during the clock-killing drive in the 4th.

 

[dhockster]

One observation about the skins offense: I live in Houston so I see all their games, and obviously they run the zone blocking scheme very well. I know the skins O-line is still a work in progress but they seem to be opening up good cutback lanes for Morris and he is doing a great job of hitting them. The one dimension that the skins have that the Texans don't is Griffins running ability. So when they run the play-action bootleg, they not only have a chance to hit a big play down field if the safeties bite on the run, but RGIII can also take off if nothing is open, and make a huge play that way. This offense will be very good for quite a few seasons and could be scary good if they get another good lineman and a top tier WR1.

One caution on Griffin: I watched the montage of big hits he has taken this year, and he is going to have to learn how to avoid some of those hard direct hits. I think he is a lot like Vick in that up to this point in his career he never really had to worry about getting hit because he could always run away from the pressure. Now, if he is going to stay in the pocket and make throws he has to develop a pocket awareness and take a step or two to slide away from the big hit. If he can stay healthy, Griffin is going to put up big numbers for a lot of years (Captain Obvious comment).

 

[TobiasFunke]

One observation about the skins offense: I live in Houston so I see all their games, and obviously they run the zone blocking scheme very well. I know the skins O-line is still a work in progress but they seem to be opening up good cutback lanes for Morris and he is doing a great job of hitting them. The one dimension that the skins have that the Texans don't is Griffins running ability. So when they run the play-action bootleg, they not only have a chance to hit a big play down field if the safeties bite on the run, but RGIII can also take off if nothing is open, and make a huge play that way. This offense will be very good for quite a few seasons and could be scary good if they get another good lineman and a top tier WR1.

One caution on Griffin: I watched the montage of big hits he has taken this year, and he is going to have to learn how to avoid some of those hard direct hits. I think he is a lot like Vick in that up to this point in his career he never really had to worry about getting hit because he could always run away from the pressure. Now, if he is going to stay in the pocket and make throws he has to develop a pocket awareness and take a step or two to slide away from the big hit. If he can stay healthy, Griffin is going to put up big numbers for a lot of years (Captain Obvious comment).

This is a concern for everyone of course, but I kind of think too much is being made of this. I think the montage makes it seem worse than it's actually been. Every QB takes defenseless hits throughout the season- it's impossible to avoid at the position. I don't think he takes more than anyone else in the pocket. Sure he takes 1-2 more per game overall because he runs so well, but he seems to have already learned to avoid contact on his runs. As soon as he crosses the line he seems to look ahead and see what's available and when he should consider sliding or getting out of bounds. I don't think he's made a wrong decision in that respect since he took that shot in the Falcons game.

 

[dhockster]

One observation about the skins offense: I live in Houston so I see all their games, and obviously they run the zone blocking scheme very well. I know the skins O-line is still a work in progress but they seem to be opening up good cutback lanes for Morris and he is doing a great job of hitting them. The one dimension that the skins have that the Texans don't is Griffins running ability. So when they run the play-action bootleg, they not only have a chance to hit a big play down field if the safeties bite on the run, but RGIII can also take off if nothing is open, and make a huge play that way. This offense will be very good for quite a few seasons and could be scary good if they get another good lineman and a top tier WR1.

One caution on Griffin: I watched the montage of big hits he has taken this year, and he is going to have to learn how to avoid some of those hard direct hits. I think he is a lot like Vick in that up to this point in his career he never really had to worry about getting hit because he could always run away from the pressure. Now, if he is going to stay in the pocket and make throws he has to develop a pocket awareness and take a step or two to slide away from the big hit. If he can stay healthy, Griffin is going to put up big numbers for a lot of years (Captain Obvious comment).

This is a concern for everyone of course, but I kind of think too much is being made of this. I think the montage makes it seem worse than it's actually been. Every QB takes defenseless hits throughout the season- it's impossible to avoid at the position. I don't think he takes more than anyone else in the pocket. Sure he takes 1-2 more per game overall because he runs so well, but he seems to have already learned to avoid contact on his runs. As soon as he crosses the line he seems to look ahead and see what's available and when he should consider sliding or getting out of bounds. I don't think he's made a wrong decision in that respect since he took that shot in the Falcons game.

Yes, I'm sure the montage made it look worse. Having watched Michael Vick over the last two seasons it just reminded me of the physical punishment he has taken. I do think someone like Griffin who is such an athletic speciman, does have more to learn about getting hit in the pocket in the NFL because he has not had as much experience at it. There are times, depending on opponent and game situation when it is better to bail on a play and save your body then hang in there and get killed. Hopefully, for the Redskins, RGIII learns that quickly.

 

[dgreen]

<br />Despite the win, I must point out the horrible use of a timeout in the first half.  After a Morris run with about 1 minute left in the first half at the Giants 10 yard line, Shanahan called a timeout.  Absolutely horrible decision.  The Giants ended up getting the ball back with about 40 seconds and drove down for a FG as the half ended.<br /><br />I just don't get that timeout at all.<br />

<br /><br /><br />Inexplicable. Idiotic. Infuriating. And the play that came out of that timeout was the screen to Garçon where he went OOB. Just a bunch of fail all around.

I think that was a check down to Garcon and not a screen. Still, a horrible decision by Garcon to go out of bounds.

 

[dgreen]

One observation about the skins offense: I live in Houston so I see all their games, and obviously they run the zone blocking scheme very well. I know the skins O-line is still a work in progress but they seem to be opening up good cutback lanes for Morris and he is doing a great job of hitting them. The one dimension that the skins have that the Texans don't is Griffins running ability. So when they run the play-action bootleg, they not only have a chance to hit a big play down field if the safeties bite on the run, but RGIII can also take off if nothing is open, and make a huge play that way. This offense will be very good for quite a few seasons and could be scary good if they get another good lineman and a top tier WR1.

One caution on Griffin: I watched the montage of big hits he has taken this year, and he is going to have to learn how to avoid some of those hard direct hits. I think he is a lot like Vick in that up to this point in his career he never really had to worry about getting hit because he could always run away from the pressure. Now, if he is going to stay in the pocket and make throws he has to develop a pocket awareness and take a step or two to slide away from the big hit. If he can stay healthy, Griffin is going to put up big numbers for a lot of years (Captain Obvious comment).

This is a concern for everyone of course, but I kind of think too much is being made of this. I think the montage makes it seem worse than it's actually been. Every QB takes defenseless hits throughout the season- it's impossible to avoid at the position. I don't think he takes more than anyone else in the pocket. Sure he takes 1-2 more per game overall because he runs so well, but he seems to have already learned to avoid contact on his runs. As soon as he crosses the line he seems to look ahead and see what's available and when he should consider sliding or getting out of bounds. I don't think he's made a wrong decision in that respect since he took that shot in the Falcons game.

It's overblown because he's a "running quarterback". I'd like to see someone measure the historic injury risk to QBs in the pocket vs on the run. Not sure how someone would go about it, but my guess is the idea that running QBs take more punishment is a little overblown.

 

[dhockster]

One observation about the skins offense: I live in Houston so I see all their games, and obviously they run the zone blocking scheme very well. I know the skins O-line is still a work in progress but they seem to be opening up good cutback lanes for Morris and he is doing a great job of hitting them. The one dimension that the skins have that the Texans don't is Griffins running ability. So when they run the play-action bootleg, they not only have a chance to hit a big play down field if the safeties bite on the run, but RGIII can also take off if nothing is open, and make a huge play that way. This offense will be very good for quite a few seasons and could be scary good if they get another good lineman and a top tier WR1.

One caution on Griffin: I watched the montage of big hits he has taken this year, and he is going to have to learn how to avoid some of those hard direct hits. I think he is a lot like Vick in that up to this point in his career he never really had to worry about getting hit because he could always run away from the pressure. Now, if he is going to stay in the pocket and make throws he has to develop a pocket awareness and take a step or two to slide away from the big hit. If he can stay healthy, Griffin is going to put up big numbers for a lot of years (Captain Obvious comment).

This is a concern for everyone of course, but I kind of think too much is being made of this. I think the montage makes it seem worse than it's actually been. Every QB takes defenseless hits throughout the season- it's impossible to avoid at the position. I don't think he takes more than anyone else in the pocket. Sure he takes 1-2 more per game overall because he runs so well, but he seems to have already learned to avoid contact on his runs. As soon as he crosses the line he seems to look ahead and see what's available and when he should consider sliding or getting out of bounds. I don't think he's made a wrong decision in that respect since he took that shot in the Falcons game.

It's overblown because he's a "running quarterback". I'd like to see someone measure the historic injury risk to QBs in the pocket vs on the run. Not sure how someone would go about it, but my guess is the idea that running QBs take more punishment is a little overblown.

I wasn't talking about the fact that he is a running QB taking more punishment. I was talking about him not having as developed a pocket awareness because he has always been able to for the most part use his athletic ability to get away from pocket hits. He can't always do this in the NFL, and thus needs to learn how to take a hit in the pocket that does as little damage as possible. Vick has never learned this, and for all his athletic ability, has taken more physical abuse in the pocket over the last two years than any other QB.Some of these hits can be eliminated altogether if Griffin learns to get rid of the ball quickly, again, something Vick has not learned to do.

 

[Marvelous]

One observation about the skins offense: I live in Houston so I see all their games, and obviously they run the zone blocking scheme very well. I know the skins O-line is still a work in progress but they seem to be opening up good cutback lanes for Morris and he is doing a great job of hitting them. The one dimension that the skins have that the Texans don't is Griffins running ability. So when they run the play-action bootleg, they not only have a chance to hit a big play down field if the safeties bite on the run, but RGIII can also take off if nothing is open, and make a huge play that way. This offense will be very good for quite a few seasons and could be scary good if they get another good lineman and a top tier WR1.

One caution on Griffin: I watched the montage of big hits he has taken this year, and he is going to have to learn how to avoid some of those hard direct hits. I think he is a lot like Vick in that up to this point in his career he never really had to worry about getting hit because he could always run away from the pressure. Now, if he is going to stay in the pocket and make throws he has to develop a pocket awareness and take a step or two to slide away from the big hit. If he can stay healthy, Griffin is going to put up big numbers for a lot of years (Captain Obvious comment).

This is a concern for everyone of course, but I kind of think too much is being made of this. I think the montage makes it seem worse than it's actually been. Every QB takes defenseless hits throughout the season- it's impossible to avoid at the position. I don't think he takes more than anyone else in the pocket. Sure he takes 1-2 more per game overall because he runs so well, but he seems to have already learned to avoid contact on his runs. As soon as he crosses the line he seems to look ahead and see what's available and when he should consider sliding or getting out of bounds. I don't think he's made a wrong decision in that respect since he took that shot in the Falcons game.

It's overblown because he's a "running quarterback". I'd like to see someone measure the historic injury risk to QBs in the pocket vs on the run. Not sure how someone would go about it, but my guess is the idea that running QBs take more punishment is a little overblown.

I wasn't talking about the fact that he is a running QB taking more punishment. I was talking about him not having as developed a pocket awareness because he has always been able to for the most part use his athletic ability to get away from pocket hits. He can't always do this in the NFL, and thus needs to learn how to take a hit in the pocket that does as little damage as possible. Vick has never learned this, and for all his athletic ability, has taken more physical abuse in the pocket over the last two years than any other QB.Some of these hits can be eliminated altogether if Griffin learns to get rid of the ball quickly, again, something Vick has not learned to do.

I think Griffin has already gotten a lot better about taking hard hits. I only recall twice where he was hit hard yesterday. One was early in the game on a pass play where he held the ball for a while. The second time was on a running play where he stretched for extra yards and I think he got a first down. His pocket awareness looks pretty good to me. There were a few plays where less mobile quarterbacks would have certainly been sacked and he was able to escape with little or no contract. So those are instances where his mobility actually decreases the amount of hits he takes.

 

[Swing 51]

Washington Post-

Washington Redskins cornerback Cedric Griffin has been suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.The seventh-year veteran, who signed as a free agent for one year at $1.25 million during the offseason, has recorded 33 tackles and four pass deflections while appearing in nine games this season. Griffin had served as Washington’s third cornerback and played frequently because opposing teams routinely use multiple receiver sets.Griffin will be eligible to return to Washington’s active roster on Monday, Dec. 31, following the team’s Dec. 30 regular season finale against Dallas.With Griffin injured early in the season (he missed three games), Washington used rookie Richard Crawford as its third corner. But Crawford has gone unused for much of the season since Griffin returned from his hamstring injury.

 

[Assani Fisher]

With 4 games left to be played, the Washington Redskins are favorites to make the playoffs. Pretty awesome to be saying that!

AFCHouston 100%NE 100%Denver 100%Baltimore 98.7%Indy 82.6%Pit 61.0%Cincy 48.9%NYJ 4.8%Buf 2.8%NFCAtl 100%SF 97.6%GB 94.9%Chi 79.6%nyg 70.9%Sea 55.5%Wash 50.4%TB 17.7%Dal 17.6%Min 9.2%Stl 4.1%NO 2.5%

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8708225/washington-redskins-getting-closer-playoff-spot-espn-insider-nfl-playoffs-predictor