A notch in the win column always leaves something of a good feeling, but in the preseason when it counts for nothing and your starting passer suffers a concussion, you have to wonder what it was for.
The Redskins (2-0) are yet to strike paydirt with their now-concussed quarterback on the field. Nor did they in their last preseason.
- Pride is the deadliest of the seven deadly sins, and some would say it collected on its bets Thursday night. Griffin had said this week that he was the best quarterback in the NFL, then said his comments were taken wrongly. Whatever he thinks and whatever he says,
It was a concerning fourth series overall for the Redskins offensively, as had they all been until that time. The pressure came fast and furious on a 3rd-down on the Redskins 20. Griffin stepped back to pass and fumbled without being even so much as grazed. Dutifully, he plunged to the turf in pursuit of the pigskin, only to be landed on by Lions end Cory Wilson.
He favored his right shoulder as he lay on the ground for three minutes, attended to by trainers and milled around by concerned teammates. Originally called favorable to return with a stinger, he was downgraded to out after concerns emerged about a possible, then confirmed, concussion.
- It was hardly a hopeful exhibition until then, and to place all the guilt on the quarterback would be unfair, and untrue. Griffin finished 2-for-5 on eight yards and was sacked three times and given three other noteworthy hits, as well. Looking for blame? Look in front of Griffin. The Redskins' front was helpless in the early going as Washington came away with all of 10 yards in the first quarter. Willie Smith was mournful at left tackle in place of Trent Williams, on one play in the first allowing a defensive end past him untouched, leading to a blind side hit on Griffin. Smith allowed another and rookie right guard Brandon Scherff permitted another from Lions end Tyrunn Walker.
- Matt Jones may be the only silver lining in the Redskins' offensive cloud this preseason. The rookie back has 82 yards total in two preseason appearances, averaging 6.3 yards per carry mixing in with first-teamers in relief of Alfred Morris on 3rd-down and late-game plays, a role he's expected to keep going into this season. Jones powered for a 1 yard score his first as a pro, finishing with 44 yards on eight rushes. His 31 yards powered that drive.
- Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins both tossed a touchdown in relief, McCoy to Reggie Bell from 19 yards and Cousins to Rashad Ross for a 4 yard play in the final session. McCoy manned the second grouping and Cousins the third after serving the opposite roles seven nights ago in Cleveland. That backup competition that began in the spring is still open. McCoy finished 5-of-6 for 80 yards, but fumbled the snap on the Lions 1 at the end of the first half on what was a drive with great potential.
- "It's unfortunate that my name keeps getting used for headlines for people to click on stories," Griffin said this week after he said his comments about being the best at his position in the NFL were taken out of context. What's more unfortunate? That he keeps winding up on the bottom of a pile in a twisted mess because he didn't know what he was doing.
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