PFF:2014 Inc Pass Breakdown: QBs

I think that the statistics 30gut posted go a long way towards proving that RGIII is an accurate passer - and his accuracy is something that some folks who post here have questioned. I am ready to accept that accuracy is not his problem.

On the other hand, I believe that he also has a long list of flaws in his game that are keeping him from becoming an adequate pocket passer. Our offseason player acquisitions won't help him much unless he learns things like taking the proper number of steps when he drops back, quickly going through his progressions, stepping up in the pocket, feeling the rush and moving just enough to get off a throw instead of running, throwing the ball out of bounds when necessary, etc., etc.

Agree w Hog1, statistics can "prove" anything.. But that doesn't stop discussions in a long offseason.

We've improved on paper with (1) pass blocking (Sherff, ?Long, ?MJones pass blocking), (2) ?better defense (?closer games, less passing situations / less pass rush). (3) ?better ST play (?better field position).


If the above changes translate to the field, Griffin should be more comfortable / more time to make good decisions. He had good accuracy in 2012, and maybe these stats confirm (?) that he still has that potential. We all knew Griffin needed several years to develop, but we never gave him good protection like Wilson. I'm willing to hope Griffin makes a comeback this year...

This team needs to be a run first offense, with a passing game as support of the run. Given what I saw in the draft, it looks like we're heading in that direction.

We don't need RG3 to be a playmaker or to try to win games by himself. We need to throw less passes (last year Dallas and Seattle were at the bottom of the NFL in pass attempts), run more (and that includes RG3), and have a solid defense to help with that plan.

I like these statistics but they definitely need to be interpreted carefully. The adage that statistics can prove anything you want is completely false, if you're thinking about them carefully, including what the statistics are NOT telling you, then they can only tell you one thing.

1) These stats do not take into account the distance the ball travels downfield. Obviously the shorter your passes the easier it is to be accurate. I don't think Griffin was just dinking and dunking all the time but he wasn't bombing it either.

2) These stats measure only your success rate when you threw the ball. Holding onto the ball too long due to missed reads and bailing out early due to pressure were Griffin's biggest problems. The worst part of his game isn't captured by these metrics - missed opportunities. He misses the opportunity to make throws because he's not getting through his progressions fast enough. He double clutches, he second-guesses, and he takes lots of sacks. Those don't show up as throws.

3) It does show that when he throws the ball, he's accurate. But you can't directly compare his accuracy numbers here to those of the other QBs, because he's throwing more of his passes when the 1st or 2nd read is open. Obviously when you drop back and your first read gets open, it's very easy to hit the target. Other QBs are throwing the ball when the 3rd or 4th option is open, which reduces accuracy because by the time you get to the 3rd or 4th read the defense is bearing down on you. Where other QBs are giving their teams a chance on the 3rd or 4th read, Robert is busy taking a sack.

It says this: he has no shortage of arm talent. He's plenty accurate enough and has plenty of arm strength. That we knew. His issues are mental.

Good stats if interpreted correctly. Of course, if you're watching the game you don't need the stats. You can see the problem is mental.

The run first mentality will do much for many of our weakness both O and D and make our QB's much improved. The much Pundit....ized idea that this cannot work is absurd
Love the thought of actually running on 3rd and 2

It says this: he has no shortage of arm talent. He's plenty accurate enough and has plenty of arm strength. That we knew. His issues are mental.

Good stats if interpreted correctly. Of course, if you're watching the game you don't need the stats. You can see the problem is mental.

Exactly. Arguments that RGIII dinks and dunks are just ridiculous. I too "saw with my own eyes" as balls went over the heads of defenders. Physically, he has all the tools.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, RG3 has the physical ability to be great. I also think he has certain leadership "it" factor intangibles that will work for him IF he can demonstrate the ability to learn the mental/instinctual aspects of the QB position and win on the field.

However, we are four years into it, he has suffered multiple injuries, and he has demonstrated a lot of immaturity/divaness at times. I am pulling for him and I think the team Scot McC is trying to build is the one that will help him take the next step. At the same time, he needs to demonstrate significant strides in understanding the NFL QB position.

Ultimately, I just don't know if he ever learn the proper "feel" the position. I don't doubt he's smart. I don't doubt he works hard and is willing to put time in the film room (yes, yes, I know the reports). Just not sure you can "learn" proper pocket instincts, etc.

I agree with the last two posts.

If you think of Griffin's football genesis - he came up looking at one read and bolting at the first sign of trouble. He shredded high school competition. He shredded college competition. And he even shredded pro competition when the Shanahans built an offense around it, enabling him to do it.

But in the pros he got hurt that way. So now he needs to learn.

All of that pride that came with shredding defenses his way contributes to his diva nature. And contributes to his penchant for inspirational quotes - in his mind it truly is mind over matter because all he's ever had to do was run faster, will himself to do that which is physically difficult and physically exhausting in order to win.

But now it's obvious that it's not mind over matter, it's mind over mind. He's got do do what's mentally difficult and mentally exhausting in order to win. It's a complete gear change.

So JR you're totally right to question whether he can do it. He never has had to before. The question is will he be too prideful to fully recognize it. And if he's not too prideful, then CAN he learn the mental aspects of pro quarterbacking?

Either way, he's got one year to demonstrate it and earn that $16M option season. And Hog is totally right, put a stronger run game in place and a stronger pass protection unit and maybe he'll no longer feel he needs to do everything himself with his legs.

Time will tell.

I like these statistics but they definitely need to be interpreted carefully. The adage that statistics can prove anything you want is completely false, if you're thinking about them carefully, including what the statistics are NOT telling you, then they can only tell you one thing.

1) These stats do not take into account the distance the ball travels downfield. Obviously the shorter your passes the easier it is to be accurate. I don't think Griffin was just dinking and dunking all the time but he wasn't bombing it either.

2) These stats measure only your success rate when you threw the ball. Holding onto the ball too long due to missed reads and bailing out early due to pressure were Griffin's biggest problems. The worst part of his game isn't captured by these metrics - missed opportunities. He misses the opportunity to make throws because he's not getting through his progressions fast enough. He double clutches, he second-guesses, and he takes lots of sacks. Those don't show up as throws.

3) It does show that when he throws the ball, he's accurate. But you can't directly compare his accuracy numbers here to those of the other QBs, because he's throwing more of his passes when the 1st or 2nd read is open. Obviously when you drop back and your first read gets open, it's very easy to hit the target. Other QBs are throwing the ball when the 3rd or 4th option is open, which reduces accuracy because by the time you get to the 3rd or 4th read the defense is bearing down on you. Where other QBs are giving their teams a chance on the 3rd or 4th read, Robert is busy taking a sack.

It says this: he has no shortage of arm talent. He's plenty accurate enough and has plenty of arm strength. That we knew. His issues are mental.

Good stats if interpreted correctly. Of course, if you're watching the game you don't need the stats. You can see the problem is mental.

You got it right, arm/accuracy has never been the problem with RGIII.
Reading defenses, running a play correctly, dropping back with the correct number of steps and unloading the ball has been the major issue. So these stats do not mean anything. It is not like anyone is saying he is the second best Qb. Anyone that saw him play will say he is one of the least prepared and under performing QB's in 2014. That is the simple truth....I hope nobody upset by it. His TD production was terrible.

I really don't care about physically ability, arm talent and so on. Geno Smith has arm talent and is a terrible QB. Phillip Rivers doesn't have a big arm, isn't mobile and is a damn good QB. Why? Rivers has instincts to play the position and Griffin doesn't. You're born with that. You either have it or you don't.

What it appears Scot Mc is trying to accomplish with the building of our team is what they have done up and over in Seattle. If he can accomplish this than RGIII can be very effective with that team being that the pressure of him having to take the team on his back and win games solely by himself will be alleviated.

I am excited for this kid and the team as a whole. I don't expect a ton of wins this year but I do expect to see a gritty team who will find its way down the stretch. leading to another positive offseason and a team who will start to compete heavily very soon. I like this all the way around..

I can't wait to see a competent defense again. That is one key that helped turn 2012 around in the last half of the year the defense came in step with the offensive production and we started winning.

I think that the statistics 30gut posted go a long way towards proving that RGIII is an accurate passer - and his accuracy is something that some folks who post here have questioned. I am ready to accept that accuracy is not his problem....In another thread I posted PFF's stats on 'time to throw' and Griffin's accuracy is evident in those metrics also. I find it interesting that despite Griffin's struggles his accuracy remains. And for me that's a positive. I often liken Griffin to a human juggs machine; when he knows what he's doing/where to go with the ball.... he's automatic with the throw. But last year he didn't where to go with the ball often enough.