Grading Robert Griffin III Against Tampa Bay

Nov 16, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III has had a rough week. From losing to the previously one win Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the media storm that followed his post game comments. The comments were not a problem for me but Griffin’s play against the Bucs was.

Here I will grade his performance play by play. Quarterbacks can be tough to grade at times because you don’t know what they are seeing. In this game however, the problem as HC Jay Gruden has said, was what Griffin wasn’t seeing.

Running plays were not graded unless Griffin ran the ball or it was a Read/Option play. Positive plays get a +1 to +5 grade while negative plays receive a -1 to -5 grade. A 0 is given on no impact plays.

The first play was an interception on a pass intended for TE Niles Paul. Griffin had a chance for a very positive play if he made the quick throw to Jordan Reed but Griffin was too tentative & was thrown off by the blitz of Lavonte David after he lined up in the slot over Pierre Garcon but moved inside to rush just before the snap. Garcon was also open in the flat but Griffin scrambled left away from David & made the failed attempt to Paul. Grade -2.

Screen pass to Desean Jackson for 10 yard gain. +1

Pass to Reed for 12 yards and a first down. +2

Pass incomplete deep to Jackson. +1 for the attempt.

Incomplete to Reed. 0 points and a punt.

Third series and the Redskins pass from their own end zone, Griffin misses a chance to hit a wide open Garcon on a post-corner right when he pumps and scrambles needlessly but hits Darrel Young for a 4 yard gain. +1

Stares down Garcon on a slant and the ball is tipped and then intercepted. Johnthan Banks returns it for a TD. -3

Griffin with a 15 yard completion to Jackson. +1

Pass to Garcon for 6 yards. +1

Griffin scrambles for 10 yards but leaps over tacklers. +2

Second Quarter begins. Read Option left keeper for 4 yards. +1

Griffin is sacked quick but he did have Roberts and Jackson open. The hand in his face made him pull the ball down. -1

The Redskins recover a fumble on the ensuing punt and have the ball at Tampa’s 17 yard line. This was Griffin’s worst series of the game because of the loss of a great scoring opportunity. Screen to Jackson for 2 yards nullified for penalty.

Jackson is open but Griffin holds the ball because he is unsure about the zone coverage and scrambles around until sacked. -2

Jackson is again open but Griffin doesn’t pull the trigger quickly enough and is sacked again. Forbath then misses the longer FG. -2

Griffin has Roberts open but a defender flashes across his face and he scrambled right to hit Paul for 8 yards. +1

More from Riggo's Rag

Read option keeper by Griffin for 8 yards. +2

Read option fake and pass to Paul for 4 yards. +1

Griffin looks off defense and passes to Helu for 13 yards but Roy Helu fumbles. +1

With no one open, Griffin dumps to Alfred Morris for 24 yards. +2

Pass to Helu for 4 yards. +1

Avoids pressure and dumps to Helu for a 30 yard TD. +3

Second half

Bootleg pass right to Reed for 10 yards. +2

Scramble right for 6 yards. +2

Inc pass to Paul short right while Roberts and Hankerson were wide open on deep outs. -1

Griffin rushes throw to Jackson and misses TD. Play nullified by a penalty.

8 yard pass to Jackson after avoiding rush. +1

Has Jackson open but takes a sack. Forbath misses a 50 yard FG. -1

Low snap leads to an Inc pass to Morris. 0

Throws to Andre Roberts for 13 yards. +2

Swing pass to Jackson for 2 yards but Griffin doesn’t throw to open receivers on deep outs. +1

Doesn’t see Jackson open to the left as he looks right first and then feels pressure and scrambles right and throws Incomplete out-of-bounds. -1

Paul open in right flat but Griffin scrambles left to avoid rush for 5 yards, punt. +1

Fourth Quarter

Griffin passes to Morris for 24 yards. +2

Garcon open on a crossing pattern but Griffin holds the ball and takes a sack. -1

Griffin bounces an Inc pass to Jackson. -1

Griffin dumps to Helu with Jackson and others open. +1

Griffin runs 8 yards for a first down with no one open. +2

Paul and Roberts open but Griffin holds the ball and takes a sack. -1

Screen to Helu loses 3 yards. +1

Pass to Helu for 7 yards, punt. +1

Last series of the game for the Redskins. Griffin holds the ball with multiple receivers open and throws Inc to Redd. -1

Screen to Redd for 4 yards. +1

Pass to Roberts for 8 yards. +1

Pass to Paul for 5 yards. +1

Pass to Redd for 5 yards. +1

Game ends.

Griffin scores a 25 out of 44 graded plays for a 0.57 grade. That scores as an F.

This was the worst game that I have seen Griffin play and I’ve seen all of them with the Redskins.

Griffin has had bad games before and he has rebounded to have good and great games. I fully expect him to play well against the San Franciso 49ers this Sunday. He just needs to get away from all of the distractions and concentrate on football.

Griffin’s mechanics weren’t bad against Tampa Bay. His problems are almost entirely mental. Griffin doesn’t release the ball on time with his first read even when that receiver is open. Whatever the reasons for this are, Griffin needs to get past it and pull the trigger.

Jay Gruden has a big hurdle to clear with Robert Griffin III this season. Griffin must progress in this offense and show that he is the Washington Redskins quarterback for now and for the future. Both their jobs may depend on it.

Next: Redskins vs. 49ers: Game Preview and Pick

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