3 and Out: Redskins down Lions, 21-17

The chorus of boos were in midseason form as Robert Griffin III lay at the bottom of a pile, his shoulder stung and his brain rattled. After his departure, the Redskins mounted a 21-17 victory over the Lions behind touchdowns from Matt Jones, Colt McCoy, and Kirk Cousins. 

1st: That Griffin looked unsure and unsteady and eventually crumpled in a ball on the field was scarcely surprising. That he was put back in after the 10-yard opening quarter with the first-team was, somewhat. It was understandable. Jay Gruden had been lauding Griffin's so-called progress this spring and summer and wasn't satisfied with what he saw to open the game. Gruden was between a rock and a hard place: to test your quarterback against an attacking front with poor protection, or play it safe with a backup and deny Griffin the starting opportunity. 

Commentators were ecstatic with his third-down play one week ago in Cleveland. With the pocket breaking down and (seemingly) no options, Griffin rushed for the short gainer and picked up the first down. Looking back, that was the wrong move. He had receivers open to his left and right, the left for a short gain and possible conversion, the right for a long pick-up.

That shows the same inability or unwillingness to take the better play. Either one is bad. Instincts die hard, and his instinct to take off and make the game his own still remains from his days at Baylor. A dual-threat passer and rusher combo is a consistent weapon against the Kansas Jayhawks, not against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Cue the same concerns on that fateful 3rd-and-16. Did he really think he could convert it with his feet? Did he not see that he could check-down and take the shorter punt? The answer, for him, is no. His ego wouldn't allow it. The man who posits himself the best passer in the NFL, whether he takes it back or not, believes he can make any play. He cannot.

2nd: The Redskins' first-down effort was abysmal. The ability to rush for neglibile yardage on first-down is vital, hence the offensive line moves they made this offseason. None of which looked to have worked on Thursday. Bear in mind, left tackle Trent Williams was out and Brandon Scherff is a rookie finding his way still. He and reserve Willie Smith allowed the three sacks, one of which Smith permitted without even his knowledge. 

Staying ahead of the chains is imperative for a first-down offense. Gaining three yards, then two more on second-down gives coaches freedom to be creative on the third-down snap. It keeps them, and opposing defenses, away from obvious passing situations. But on four first-down plays Thursday, the Redskins netted four yards -- all but forcing Griffin to be something he will never be: a decisive pocket passer. 

3rd: On the other hand, their defensive line play looks promising. Particularly Jason Hatcher, who got consistent pressure against both Detroit's guards. While his ability has rarely been questioned, he's had trouble with consistent play in his career, so that will be his next step forward. 

Only one of the Lions' 13 rushes gained more than seven yards on the night. The Redskins' ends are making good penetration, causing trouble at the line that creates disruption in the pocket, putting the clamp on potential developing plays. That pressure on the edges is the luxury coaches were hoping would be created as a result of their acquiring nose tackle Terrance Knighton. Control of the line of scrimmage determines who wins or loses; control of the middle of the line determines who controls the line. Knighton stood out in the middle, and that control was the result.

Out: The Redskins are unsure if Griffin will be good to return when they clash with the Ravens on Aug. 29, but with the solid outings of relief passers McCoy and Cousins ( a touchdown each Thursday), maybe flipping the coin on one of those *actual* quarterbacks would be the better option.