Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Sure it was a terrible performance and we've seen the struggles RG3 has endured as we have switched systems to a new offense. Watching that performance its easy to knee jerk and start the doom and gloom predictions to the season. We all saw the game thread, its funny to go back and read, especially Saden posts...but lets look at the big picture.

Its preseason, this doesnt count. Seriously.

New offense. Folks need to remember we haven’t installed the entire offense yet. You saw it Saturday, no rollout, boots, play action, screens, etc. All the strengths of RG3 passing game we didn’t get a look at. Gruden knows this and will build the game plan around these strengths as the Third becomes a more comfortable pocket passer. Also, Alfmo and the running game will be the focus of the offense, just as it was when we won the division.

The offense has strongest skill players since the Posse, Byner years. We have guys who can do nothing but take the pressure off RG3 and Gruden will design to get the ball to these guys one way or the other. Remember we are going up against some bad defenses in the East too.

Our Special Teams and Defense look much better. Better field position, less pressure on the offense. Im really excited what im seeing from those 2 units.

With RG3 we are not talking about an unproven guy. Have a little faith, like it or not we did win the division just 2 years ago with this guy winning big games down the stretch to get us in. This isnt a guy who hasnt shown folks.

We need to be patient and let Gruden develop RG3 as the pocket passer. Are we that dumb to be giving up on RG3 now? Some of the stuff in the game day thread was bs and who ever gave a shit with Thiesmann thought? Come'on man.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Remember, Theismann is no Norman Einstein.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

While I agree that RG3 has not as good as I had hoped for in the preseason, I do believe we need to give him some more time to get it all together.
After watching the game the following Sunday, he did miss some wide open targets and scrambled when he should have hung there and ran out of bounds with the damn ball in his hands instead of throwing it away.......
Sorry kind of went on a mini rant.

This season should tell us if he can continue to learn as he goes along.

There was alot of mistakes that he made, let's see if he gets better each week.
I did not think that the O line was as bad on Sunday.... Ravens have a pretty stout front four.
Can he learn to stop running out of the pocket and be confident in his throw?

He might be just over thinking every thing..... only time will tell.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Co Worker just arrived and first thing he said was "start Cousins"

RG3 isnt trusting his eyes and he is a lil late on his throws.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Listen to Jaws and you'll feel better.
"It is Roberts team.... Until he is a complete failure and that won't be happening. He is extremely talented QB. Gruden is working with him to rework his style of play. Gruden will get it done. He will be very successful in this league for a long time"!!
"It will take a little time to transition"

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

There are legitimate reasons to be concerned and being critical is far from hitting the panic button. Missing wide open receivers, running out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage, taking bad hits and doing things like jumping in the air on passes are inexcusable from even rookie QBs. Jumping on passes. Really?

I think most fans can deal with rust and growing pains, but what we've seen this pre-season is pure amateurism. Not hitting the panic button just yet, but definitely concerned and definitely not 100% positive we will see a drastic turnaround in 2 weeks.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Hog1;1078937]Listen to Jaws and you'll feel better.
"It is Roberts team.... Until he is a complete failure and that won't be happening. He is extremely talented QB. Gruden is working with him to rework his style of play. Gruden will get it done. He will be very successful in this league for a long time"!!
"[B]It will take a little time to transition[/B]"[/quote]

But we dont have time! Just the last 23 years...

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Chico23231;1078930]Sure it was a terrible performance and we've seen the struggles RG3 has endured as we have switched systems to a new offense. Watching that performance its easy to knee jerk and start the doom and gloom predictions to the season. We all saw the game thread, its funny to go back and read, especially Saden posts...but lets look at the big picture.

Its preseason, this doesnt count. Seriously.

[B]New offense. Folks need to remember we haven’t installed the entire offense yet. You saw it Saturday, no rollout, boots, play action, screens, etc. All the strengths of RG3 passing game we didn’t get a look at. [/B]Gruden knows this and will build the game plan around these strengths as the Third becomes a more comfortable pocket passer. Also, Alfmo and the running game will be the focus of the offense, just as it was when we won the division.

The offense has strongest skill players since the Posse, Byner years. We have guys who can do nothing but take the pressure off RG3 and Gruden will design to get the ball to these guys one way or the other. Remember we are going up against some bad defenses in the East too.

Our Special Teams and Defense look much better. Better field position, less pressure on the offense. Im really excited what im seeing from those 2 units.

With RG3 we are not talking about an unproven guy. Have a little faith, like it or not we did win the division just 2 years ago with this guy winning big games down the stretch to get us in. This isnt a guy who hasnt shown folks.

We need to be patient and let Gruden develop RG3 as the pocket passer. Are we that dumb to be giving up on RG3 now? Some of the stuff in the game day thread was bs and who ever gave a shit with Thiesmann thought? Come'on man.[/quote]

I agree but there will be several instances where he's going to have to drop back, scan the field and beat the defense on 3rd and 8. I do think we all need to wait and see until week one before we hit the panic button. But what my eyes are telling me is that RG3 has a long way to go. Some of the things we saw Sat are the same things we saw last year.

Also the patience thing doesn't work for me. It's his 3rd year. Everything is in place for RG3 to go out and have a great year. If Nick Foles can have a great 2013 then why can't RG3??? Is Nick Foles better? I sure as hell hope not.

One last thing too, it's time to let go of 2012. Different system, different coaches. RG3 doesn't want to run that offense. I don't blame him. But it's time for him to go out and prove that he can run the offense we need him to run.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

My thought on his struggles are this, it's preseason and Gruden is using his time with RG III in the game to work on the things that he is the least comfortable doing. Like Chico said, we have yet to see a game in which Gruden has designed the game plan around Robert's strengths.. Let him work on his weaknesses now and not fly off the handle with the Cousins talk or split reps with the ones.. That's worked great for CLE.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

People need to realize the difference between playing to win (regular season) and playing to evaluate (preseason).

Everything changes once the bullets are live. Game planning and play calling are completely different when the games count.

Does anyone really think Gruden is showing anything right now? Or that he's not going to put Griffin in calls that he's comfortable with and able to execute well once the games count?

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

If STL gave you two first round picks today for RGII? Would you take it?

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Mattyk;1078942]People need to realize the difference between playing to win (regular season) and playing to evaluate (preseason).

Everything changes once the bullets are live. Game planning and play calling are completely different when the games count.

Does anyone really think Gruden is showing anything right now? Or that he's not going to put Griffin in calls that he's comfortable with and able to execute well once the games count?[/quote]

My point exactly.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

BTW, I'm not clamoring for Kirk Cousins, but it's funny how everyone assumes RG3 just needs time to develop and KC has somehow already peaked in his 3rd year and will never get any better. Who's to say he can't fix the turnover problem and evolve into a pretty good starting QB. Can't he at least get to the Alex Smith level?

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Cousins is a decent backup QB going against 2nd and 3rd stringers, what happens when Aldrick plays against starters?

RG3 looks like crap right now, and if he is a bust, they don't have much at QB.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Interesting quote from King's MMQB today.

There is a saying on the whiteboard in Rams general manager Les Snead’s office. “Build to dominate using Redskin picks!” it reads. The Rams made the mega-trade with Washington in 2012 that allowed their NFC neighbor to draft Robert Griffin III. The Rams, meanwhile, thought they had their quarterback of the future, and didn’t draft one until the sixth round this year in SMU’s Garrett Gilbert. And now those picks are gone.

Right now neither of these teams are loving life after that trade. I rather be the Skins then the Rams right now.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1078940]I agree but there will be several instances where he's going to have to drop back, scan the field and beat the defense on 3rd and 8. I do think we all need to wait and see until week one before we hit the panic button. But what my eyes are telling me is that RG3 has a long way to go. Some of the things we saw Sat are the same things we saw last year.

Also the patience thing doesn't work for me. It's his 3rd year. Everything is in place for RG3 to go out and have a great year. If Nick Foles can have a great 2013 then why can't RG3??? Is Nick Foles better? I sure as hell hope not.

[B]One last thing too, it's time to let go of 2012. Different system, different coaches. RG3 doesn't want to run that offense. I don't blame him. But it's time for him to go out and prove that he can run the offense we need him to run[/B].[/quote]

So in one breath its no patience thing not working, but the other is let 2012 go different system, different coaches. As Redskins fans, its become easy for us to make that transition, but QB it takes time whether you like it or not.

My reference to 2012 says a couple things, one point is saying this isnt a Ryan Tannehill type of perspective we should be taking with RG3

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Why I'm not gonna panic about our QB? Because I can't change it.

Also, because I do trust Gruden. After the first preseason game, and our run game was effective, how much more did we see? If he trusts that the [B][U]team[/U][/B] was effective at some parts of the offense, we didn't see it. That makes me believe he was using preseason exactly for what preseason is - getting coachable moments on tape.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[QUOTE=mredskins;1078949]Interesting quote from King's MMQB today.



There is a saying on the whiteboard in Rams general manager Les Snead’s office. “Build to dominate using Redskin picks!” it reads. The Rams made the mega-trade with Washington in 2012 that allowed their NFC neighbor to draft Robert Griffin III. The Rams, meanwhile, thought they had their quarterback of the future, and didn’t draft one until the sixth round this year in SMU’s Garrett Gilbert. And now those picks are gone.



Right now neither of these teams are loving life after that trade. I rather be the Skins then the Rams right now.[/QUOTE]


They gambled and lost big time on Bradford.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Sucks for Bradford, but hey in our situation if something happens to RG3 at least we have a very serviceable back up.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

There are some decison making problems going on with RG3 right now that I don't like. This running for the sideline and going out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage WITH THE BALL is driving me crazy. When you get close, throw the ball at the down maker up to the line of scrimmage out of bounds please!!!! An incompletion is better than a sack.

Also, I still don't see him stepping into throws. He is kind of all arms and upper body. Does he still doubt his knee? Must think and make decsions faster. Also, we have seen no read option where RG3 has KEPT the football. I know its preseason, but we need to burn Clowney and Watt with this in week one. They will bite and go for Almo. I'm not sure the Skins line can handle them but a read option will slow them down.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gARRX67GUc[/ame]

That's why I'm not panicking. Shows everything needed to be successful in this league right now. I'm standing behind RG3 because I've seen him make the reads, and throws.

Kap for the 49ers hasn't lead the 49ers to a TD in the preseason either and has just as many turnovers as RG3. Yet, nobody wants to talk about it because they have Blaine Gabbert behind him who is also looking sharp.

It's an evaluation game. God coaches evaluate their talent and test their limits in meaningless game. There is no point in running the plays RG3 is comfortable running that work in a game that means nothing.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Mattyk;1078942]People need to realize the difference between playing to win (regular season) and playing to evaluate (preseason).

Everything changes once the bullets are live. Game planning and play calling are completely different when the games count.

Does anyone really think Gruden is showing anything right now? Or that he's not going to put Griffin in calls that he's comfortable with and able to execute well once the games count?[/quote]

I agree that preseason is totally different and JG isnt showing anything now but why wouldnt he do things in preseason to also get RG3 comfortable and confident? There's gotta be a way that they can get RG3 gong in the right direction without giving away what they will be doing this year. JG has a couple of weeks to get it all worked out and time will tell.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Panicking before RGIII has even played a real game in the new offense is foolish.

No panic allowed until October at the earliest, and likely not even then.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

In order to improve you have to focus on your weaknesses. Doesn't make much sense to just focus on what you already do well.

Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Would everyone feel better if we had him hit a few quick screens, maybe some read option, and get some easy completions and have some pretty preseason numbers? In the end does that really help him vs working on getting through reads and working on improving?

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

RG3 has strengths and weaknesses.

He needs to learn to see the field better, anticipate and make better decisions.

We win or lose with RG3.

I am a RG3 fan and believer. We will be a SB contender in the next 5 years if we build with him and no major injuries.

what im really writing for - im pretty sure it was the browns game where RG3 hit andre roberts for that long pass at the end of the 1st quarter. the camera showed rg3 running down the field anticipating getting into a huddle and looked back and realized everyone else was taking off their helmets and sauntering over to the sideline ... apparently everyone else was aware of the time on the clock except RG3 ... maybe he was excited about the long strike and forgot ... just odd. you have to know down distance and clock. every snap, every play.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Mattyk;1078958]In order to improve you have to focus on your weaknesses. Doesn't make much sense to just focus on what you already do well.[/quote]

What is RG3 doing well right now? From what I have seen its not much but like I said, there's still time to get thing ironed out. I'd really like to see him play at least a quarter in the final preseason game because it seems like he needs the live action reps.

BTW, all this QB controversy is baloney. There is no QB controversy because the Skins didnt give up all those draft pick for RG3 to not play. RG3 is the QB until something catastrophic happens.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=mredskins;1078949]Interesting quote from King's MMQB today.

There is a saying on the whiteboard in Rams general manager Les Snead’s office. “Build to dominate using Redskin picks!” it reads. The Rams made the mega-trade with Washington in 2012 that allowed their NFC neighbor to draft Robert Griffin III. The Rams, meanwhile, thought they had their quarterback of the future, and didn’t draft one until the sixth round this year in SMU’s Garrett Gilbert. And now those picks are gone.

Right now neither of these teams are loving life after that trade. I rather be the Skins then the Rams right now.[/quote]

Too much was made of those picks. The Skins had a first round pick every year before that trade and what did it amount to? Eternal suckitude and missing the playoffs every year. All the Orakpos and Kerrigans in the world won't get you anywhere unless you have a franchise QB. Let's hope we have one.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[QUOTE=irish;1078969]What is RG3 doing well right now? From what I have seen its not much but like I said, there's still time to get thing ironed out. I'd really like to see him play at least a quarter in the final preseason game because it seems like he needs the live action reps.



BTW, all this QB controversy is baloney. There is no QB controversy because the Skins didnt give up all those draft pick for RG3 to not play. RG3 is the QB until something catastrophic happens.[/QUOTE]


What does he do well? Put on the tape from 2012. Check tape from 2013 (it wasn't all bad considering the circumstances).

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

Is there anybody who may remotely consider the possibility of dishing Captain Kirk to STL to recoup at least something from that RGIII trade? I know that it's risky, but maybe just the act of getting Cousins out of town could help stabilize things

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Mattyk;1078971]What does he do well? Put on the tape from 2012. Check tape from 2013 (it wasn't all bad considering the circumstances).[/quote]

I know what he did well but what's he doing well now? He's not even close to the same player he was in 2012 (because if he was we wouldn't be having this discussion) and he did do some good things in 2013 but so far in 2014 he seems to be struggling with everything.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=irish;1078973]I know what he did well but what's he doing well now? [B]He's not even close to the same player he was in 2012[/B] (because if he was we wouldn't be having this discussion) and he did do some good things in 2013 but so far in 2014 he seems to be struggling with everything.[/quote]

i think he is the same player. what happened in 2012 was a beautiful piece of coaching and scheming that constantly had RG3s first read wide open, a deadly PA bc of the read option/pistol formation and alfmo excelling at running the zone read.

until RG3 learns to see the field better, he needs to have the offense dialed down for him - i.e. only have him scan half the field on any given passing play. its unrealistic to expect him to see/read the entire field.

he is the same player as 2012 imo in terms of explosiveness/intangibles but he is being used/coached differently. but it is only preseason so who knows how he really will be used come reg season.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=irish;1078969]What is RG3 doing well right now? From what I have seen its not much but like I said, there's still time to get thing ironed out. I'd really like to see him play at least a quarter in the final preseason game because it seems like he needs the live action reps.

BTW, all this QB controversy is baloney. There is no QB controversy because the Skins didnt give up all those draft pick for RG3 to not play. RG3 is the QB until something catastrophic happens.[/quote]

Like I said earlier, we didn't see what he does well in the preseason. There were very few, if any bubble screens, no play action, no rollouts, no misdirection. Every pass he threw was a designed pocket play. Maybe, just maybe, that was so Gruden can evaluate the line, and Griffin's pocket awareness. There will be plays where Griffin has to stand in the pocket and deliver, but at least at first, I doubt that will be our primary offensive plan. We should see heavy run and play action in the early downs, and rollouts and bubble screens on 2nd/3rd intermediate downs.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=over the mountain;1078976]i think he is the same player. what happened in 2012 was a beautiful piece of coaching and scheming that constantly had RG3s first read wide open, a deadly PA bc of the read option/pistol formation and alfmo excelling at running the zone read.

until RG3 learns to see the field better, he needs to have the offense dialed down for him - i.e. only have him scan half the field on any given passing play. its unrealistic to expect him to see/read the entire field.

he is the same player as 2012 imo in terms of explosiveness/intangibles but he is being used/coached differently. but it is only preseason so who knows how he really will be used come reg season.[/quote]

Ok so Devil's Advocate here, we all love the 2012 RG3 because of read-option and play action and misdirection and all the things that made RG3 a "force". NOW we can't play "2012 RG3 football" because he might get hurt. So we basically have to hamstring him and make him a pocket passer so he won't get hurt, but in all honestly maybe he is not an Andy Dalton pocket passer. So then what do you do? Cousins is a pocket passer. Yes he was playing with and against the 2nds but he looks good in an Andy Dalton offense.

Here is what I think, I think we see 5-10 read options on Sunday September 7th, we see more bootlegs, we see quick screens. I hope what happens is Gruden takes a look at RG3 and asks him "tell me 10 plays you really like, and lets run those!"

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

My biggest concern is that to improve you have to know you need to improve. RG3's attitude has not been, "[I][U]I need to improve[/U][/I]", it has been "[I][U][I]I am great, but I am being held back by coaches, teammates, injury, haters, doubters, etc[/I][/U][/I]". Always excuses.

I just don't think he gets it.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[QUOTE=Hijinx;1078983]My biggest concern is that to improve you have to know you need to improve. RG3's attitude has not been, "[I][U]I need to improve[/U][/I]", it has been "[I][U][I]I am great, but I am being held back by coaches, teammates, injury, haters, doubters, etc[/I][/U][/I]". Always excuses.



I just don't think he gets it.[/QUOTE]


That's not reflected in how he works on and off the field. He puts in the time and effort, and the some.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=mredskins;1078949]Interesting quote from King's MMQB today.

There is a saying on the whiteboard in Rams general manager Les Snead’s office. “Build to dominate using Redskin picks!” it reads. The Rams made the mega-trade with Washington in 2012 that allowed their NFC neighbor to draft Robert Griffin III. The Rams, meanwhile, thought they had their quarterback of the future, and didn’t draft one until the sixth round this year in SMU’s Garrett Gilbert. And now those picks are gone.

Right now neither of these teams are loving life after that trade. I rather be the Skins then the Rams right now.[/quote]

Yeah, there were a lot of talking heads clamoring in January and April about how badly the Rams beat us in that trade and all of the great picks they got as a result. Well they still don't have a QB, apparently the player they got at #2 (Robinson) hasn't looked good at all, not to mention they haven't even reached .500 since the trade. Let Kiper, McShay, etc. get all frothy over the number of picks, I'll take results.

That being said, I'd be lying to say I'm not disappointed in how Griffin has looked overall in the preseason. I know it's a work in progress and he has the benefit of a full offseason to improve. I think the Cleveland game (overall good with a couple glaring mistakes) will be more indicative of what we will see from him early on than the Baltimore game. I think the running game and defense will carry the 1st quarter of the season and Griffin will round into form around midseason.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=Hijinx;1078983]My biggest concern is that to improve you have to know you need to improve. RG3's attitude has not been, "[I][U]I need to improve[/U][/I]", it has been "[I][U][I]I am great, but I am being held back by coaches, teammates, injury, haters, doubters, etc[/I][/U][/I]". Always excuses.

I just don't think he gets it.[/quote]

What articles have you been reading.

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=NYCskinfan82;1078986]What articles have you been reading.[/quote]

Ones like [URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/will-robert-griffin-iii-help-or-hurt-the-next-washington-redskins-coach/2014/01/06/a7e3be02-771b-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html"]this[/URL].

:laughing2

Re: Why I'm Not Gonna Panic About Our QB
 

[quote=scowan;1078982]Ok so Devil's Advocate here, we all love the 2012 RG3 because of read-option and play action and misdirection and all the things that made RG3 a "force". NOW we can't play "2012 RG3 football" because he might get hurt. So we basically have to hamstring him and make him a pocket passer so he won't get hurt, but in all honestly maybe he is not an Andy Dalton pocket passer. So then what do you do? Cousins is a pocket passer. Yes he was playing with and against the 2nds but he looks good in an Andy Dalton offense.

Here is what I think, I think we see 5-10 read options on Sunday September 7th, we see more bootlegs, we see quick screens. I hope what happens is Gruden takes a look at RG3 and asks him "tell me 10 plays you really like, and lets run those!"[/quote]
So generally speaking, I'm not sure how anyone who watched Cousins play in relief against Atlanta and Seattle as a rookie or in any of his starts last years can really consider that he's a better option at QB. He's played one good game (vs. Cleveland) and two good drives (vs. Baltimore) and otherwise has been mediocre. He's Rex Grossman 2.0 at best.

While nobody has seen our new offense overall, to expect it to be a bland, straight dropback offense is as foolish as expecting it to be a 2012 RG3 centric offense. I'd expect it to be lots of movement off of the run game, playaction with drop back elements and limited read option. Against the Texans, probably no read option plays because Watt and Clowney are beasts off of the edge so don't play into the strength of them potentially hitting your QB. Against the Jags in week 2, they don't have much in terms of DL studs so we can run some read option plays and keep them on their toes.

Too many people are focused on RG3 being a perfect QB on opening day. I'm much more interested on how he will be on December 8th than September 8th.