Let’s start with a caveat because a reminder is needed: It’s mid-May and Robert Griffin III has never thrown a pass in an NFL game. It might be easy for him. It might be difficult. Until Griffin goes through this, no one really knows what will happen. Thus ends our disclaimer. Now here’s a few takes on Griffin from Monday’s organized team activity session:
» The ball just jumps out of Griffin’s hand at a different speed. Because of that, he’ll get away with some throws that others just can’t make. For example, on one out route to Pierre Garcon, Griffin stood in the pocket and delivered a strike into a tight window. Rookie Richard Crawford had good coverage, right on Garcon’s hip. But Griffin zipped it in to Garcon — and it would have allowed him to gain yards after the catch, too.
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» His most impressive throws really came on the out patterns rather than straight downfield. That’s where you see the arm as much as anything. Remember the times when tight end Fred Davis had to wait on passes on the bootleg toss-back plays? A 30-yard gain would be made, but another 20 or 30 were lost because he had to wait.
» On the bootlegs, Griffin gets on the perimeter ultra-quick. That, plus the velocity on his throws, will stress defenses. Because Griffin gets on the edge and squares his hips so fast, it’ll give the receiver a chance to make more plays, especially on clear outs. Corners or safeties might not arrive as fast as they would have vs. other quarterbacks. Not that Rex Grossman threw lollipops, but Griffin is much faster and throws a faster ball. He had one throw Monday to Niles Paul where you could hear it hum as it arrived. Griffin’s traits will give the offense a faster tempo.
“It’s a total difference when he’s out there running on the play-action,” Davis said. “He gets out so fast. He sees the whole field. He can make throws other quarterbacks couldn’t make. He gets out on the play action very fast. Very fast.”
– John Keim
