Hazard's Huddle: Robert Griffin III Must Trust "Ordinary" Vision

"They are not asking me to be Superman. They are asking me to be basic and take the plays that are there. If that's what Jay wants me to do, that's what I am going to do. It doesn't mean you take everything out of your game. When those opportunities come up to make plays out of the pocket, I will do it and not think twice about it. But if they are asking me to do the ordinary, that's what I am going to have to do." Robert Griffin III to Peter King

Finally, some Washington Redskins football! Robert Griffin III and the team took the field last night to begin their 2015 crusade. Although they won (which doesn't really matter), the Redskins put out a mixed bag. But in Redskins tradition, there is going to be no bigger storyline than the quarterback position. I posted the above quote, from Robert Griffin III to Peter King, to remind the mindset he has going in to this year. As someone who has been critical of RG3 (also defending the man from fans who blame him for a billion things that really affect nothing), his on-field performance is all I've ever cared about.

Last year, Robert Griffin III developed a habit of not trusting his eyes or thinking too much. Last night, he showed that again. It was only once, but it's not like he was given an opportunity for a large sample size (I don't know why). I can deal with an inaccurate throw, a look to the wrong side of the field, or the occasional run but when he makes the right read, sees what he is suppose to, and the play doesn't happen that is going to hurt him as a QB in more ways than one. It's these things Jay Gruden means when he is talking about "ordinary" and "ordinary" is not a bad thing.

Here's a quick diagram of the play. Easy Man/zone staple. This is basically a Spot/Out. The two inside hitches aren't exactly hitches in nature. These two guys are finding a spot and turning around to show Griffin his numbers and provide a big target. They are the zone beaters. They sit in zones. On the outsides, you have two out routes to beat man coverage. You take your best match-up and hit the out.

1. Notice that the play here does not look like the above diagram. That is because Jay Gruden built in a motion to help alert Robert Griffin III to man or zone coverage and make it easier. They start in Trips Left.

Griffin moves Pierre Garcon in motion and no Browns player trails him (Usually a good indication of zone coverage). Because of the zone look, Griffin should be looking at one of the inside spot routes by Ryan Grant or Niles Paul.

Robert Griffin III makes the correct read, looks to Ryan Grant is a great route runner and finding space. Grant is making his break here to sit in this zone and is about to be open. All Griffin needs to do here is throw the ball and it's a first down.

Instead, Griffin shifts his eyes to the right side of the field to find Niles Paul on his spot route which is covered. Meanwhile, Grant is still open.

When Griffin sees Paul is covered, he tucks the ball and runs. He gets the first down, yes, I won't deny that but he opens himself to a hit from Karlos Dansby and Danny Shelton.

Not trying to start the criticism early on Robert Griffin III, as I've said, people give him far too much grief as an individual but his on-field performance is what counts. He's still young and learning the nuances of the position but needs to understand, at this point, "ordinary" would be spectacular.