Robert Griffin III Abused by Lions and His Offensive Line
By Chris West
Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) is looked at by trainers after suffering an apparent injury against the Detroit Lions during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
After a week of praise for their performance, the Washington Redskins starting offensive line took a huge step back. Robert Griffin III was knocked around and out with a concussion by the Detroit Lions defensive front. Griffin was hit at least ten times in little over a quarter of play.
The Redskins ran the ball with Alfred Morris three times to begin the game. After gaining one first down, they faced a second down and eleven. Griffin dropped to pass and before he could set to throw, he was grabbed by Ziggy Ansah who bull rushed Brandon Scherff back into Griffin.
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Ansah had Griffin in his grasp and 305 pound Tyrunn Walker fell on top of Griffin. Walker got around Willie Smith who was starting in place of Trent Williams. The initial drive ended with a dump off pass to Andre Roberts which was well short of the first down.
After not having any success with the pass on the first series, the Redskins put the ball in the air again on first down of their second drive. A Lions defender batted the ball right back at Griffin and the Redskins after driving Smith across the pocket and in front of Griffin as he set to throw.
Ansah took his turn abusing Smith as he seemed to be on roller skates while Ansah drove him into Griffin. Ansah knocked Griffin to the ground as he released the ball and James Ihedigbo blitzed untouched from his safety spot to add another hit on Robert Griffin III.
On third down, Griffin threw to Roberts and was hit again and laid on the ground by DeAndre Levy. Levy lined up in the middle of the line and then faked a drop into pass coverage before coming at Griffin full speed and untouched. Griffin already was hit five times by four different Lions on three separate pass plays.
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Matt Jones ran the ball twice to set up a third and two on the Redskins third series. Griffin dropped to pass on third down and was hit as he threw by Phillip Hunt and driven to the ground. Smith blocked to the inside attempting to help Shawn Lauvao who had the defensive tackle blocked before turning back toward Hunt who quickly got past him and knocked Robert Griffin III down.
Griffin’s fourth series would be his last of the game. After trading penalties with the Lions, the Redskins ran the ball with Jones. They faced a second and twelve and Griffin dropped to pass and was hit by three different Lions before he could release the football.
Hunt beat Smith again and got his hand on Griffin who slipped his grasp. Jermelle Cudjo grabbed Griffin and slammed him to the ground helped out by Larry Webster. Griffin had then been hit nine times by seven different Lions over five separate pass plays.
With a third and 16, Griffin dropped to pass but quickly tried to escape the pocket inside of Morgan Moses’ block of Devin Taylor. Taylor swiped at the ball and Griffin dropped it. As he attempted to pick up the ball, Griffin was fallen on by Corey Wootton.
Griffin laid on the ground for minutes before walking off the field with a concussion and maybe a shoulder stinger. The Lions hit Griffin 10 or eleven times by 8 or 9 of their players on 6 different pass plays. Griffin had open receivers on his final play but after being knocked around by the Lions for over a quarter of football, who could blame Griffin for wanting to escape the pocket?
Colt McCoy came in to replace Robert Griffin III on the next series and brought four new offensive linemen with him. Smith stayed at left tackle with the second unit. It was a dismal performance by the Redskins starting offensive line.