RGIII did some Good things against the Texans too

Sep 7, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It seems more attention is being focused on what Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III didn’t do against the Houston Texans than what he did do. And while some of the criticism is valid he did do some good things in that game as well that seem to be going unmentioned.

First and foremost he didn’t throw any interceptions. Much has been made about 2013 when RGIII threw 12 interceptions on the season and he also had some in the preseason. But against the Texans Griffin didn’t put the ball in the hands of a Texans defender and that deserves some credit.

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Also, Robert Griffin III completed 78% of his passes. I’ve heard the criticism that his passes were dink and dunk and he didn’t take any chances down field. But if he had and thrown interceptions then the same people who are criticizing him for not taking chances would be criticizing him for it if they’d resulted in turnovers.

And no Griffin didn’t electrify with his running skills and some media pundits are criticizing him for that too. But it’s like I said the RGIII of 2012 is gone. Defenses aren’t caught off guard by his speed and are determined not to allow him to embarrass them running any more so he has to become a better passer and he can’t just rely on running.

Yes he’ll scramble and still pick up yards with his feet when the opportunity presents itself but why expect him to take the pounding if it will only result in him getting injured? Griffin needs to continue to do what he did against the Texans. If it’s not there just throw the ball away and slide to keep from getting hit.

So no Robert Griffin III didn’t light up the Texans defense with 300 yards passing a 3 TD’s and top it off with 100 yards rushing as it seems some expect him to do. But RGIII wasn’t the only quarterback whose team didn’t win in week one.

Quarterbacks like Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo, Alex Smith and others lost games and some even threw multiple interceptions in them. Sometimes you just have to grind it out and you can’t expect even the best quarterbacks to light up the stat sheet in every single game.

And I think there will be some games where RGIII does have great passing stats. But just because he doesn’t it does not mean the sky is falling. The NFL season is marathon not a sprint. No absolute conclusions can be drawn after one game. Even in 2012 things weren’t going well for the Redskins before they ended on a seven game winning streak

So let’s give the man some time. Did you see Eli Manning against the Lions? Learning a new offense can be hard for even an accomplished veteran quarterback. 2012 is over and the Redskins can’t expect Griffin to carry them to a championship any more.

Does RGIII need to play better? Yes, but it’s only one game and the Texans with J.J. Watt are a very good defense. The Redskins need to focus on winning as a team and in the long run I believe they will.

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