Monday night watching the preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the team from Washington play (not going to say their “official” name out of respect) I noticed something more compelling than the bird Johnny football through up and the poor play both him and Brian Hoyer showed. One of the NFL’s youngest and most dynamic stars still has not learned to protect himself.
Robert Griffin III took off from the pocket three different times in limited action and failed to slide each time resulting in taking a couple unnecessary big hits. Having already torn his acl in college and again in the pros as well as sustaining LCL and meniscus damage, football fans across the world know it only takes one wrong play to alter a franchise.
Following the game head coach Jay Gruden expressed his desire for Griffin to slide and reduce contact as much as possible. Griffin said he is aware and happy the fans value his health, and that simply he will get better about it. I’ve always wondered how the fastest and most elusive quarterbacks seem to take the most hits? You hardly ever see Tom Brady or Peyton Manning’s jersey get dirty both of whom run the 40 yard dash in about 40 seconds. Mike Vick, especially in Philly, has taken some of the biggest hits and missed substantial time on the field because of it. RG3 has been on track to follow in those footsteps so far in his short career. Nothing wrong with sliding and keeping yourself available for your team throughout the entire game and season. To quote pops (John Witherspoon from Friday) “you win some, you lose some but you live to fight another day.” Even more to the point Griffin should listen to Wu-Tangs advice; “Ya best protect ya neck!”
