Joe Theismann thinks RG3 lacks basic fundamentals

The number of voices in opposition to the idea that Robert Griffin III is anything like a starting quarterback in the NFL are mounting.

Add former Redskins passer Joe Theismann to that list.

Watching Griffin get mugged repeatedly from the team's radio booth during Thursday's exhibition game, he failed to see any of the basic fundamentals that make a quarterback, particularly after Griffin lost an unforced fumble.

"The thing that disappointed me the other night is one of the things that is stressed very, very diligently by the coaches is protect the football in the pocket," Theismann said, via the Washington Post.

"Protect the football when you're trying to escape the pocket. The ball just fell out of Robert's hands when he wound up getting hurt. That's a concern for me. That has nothing to do with the offensive line, absolutely nothing to do with the protection. That has to do with the fundamentals of the position, and those are the things that Robert, he can't be a continuing work in progress." 

Theismann did acknowledge the condition of the Redskins' offensive line that night. Morgan Moses was a poor reserve for Trent Williams at the left tackle spot and rookie Brandon Scherff had some struggles at right guard. Moses allowed two sacks and Scherff the third. 

But it would be unwise to place all the blame there; this has been a long-term issue.

Last season, Griffin only attempted 214 passes after being sidelined with a dislocated ankle, but he was sacked 33 times. Not since Hugh Millen of the 1992 Patriots had a signal caller been brought down with that frequency. In comparison, Colt McCoy, the man who spearheaded two of the team's four victories, was sacked on 17 of the 128 times he dropped back. Kirk Cousins, a name synonymous with interceptions, was only sacked eight times out of 208 pass attempts.

The reason for those disparities? McCoy and Cousins were trained to be pocket passers who could run some if need be. Griffin is a runner who can throw passes if need be.

Something that, in Theismann's view, needs to be corrected before too long.

"You've got about two weeks for the works in progress to be up to speed to be able to play at a high NFL level," he said. "Time's running out. You need to see something. The fans need to see something to get excited, or at least get comfortable with where the Redskins are as far as their position at quarterback goes."