Robert Griffin III's critical fourth campaign is underway.
The Washington Redskins starting quarterback saw his first action of the preseason in Thursday night's 20-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. Griffin came close -- but not close enough -- to quick points.
The former No. 2 overall pick unleashed a beautiful deep pass to Pierre Garcon, who toasted embattled second-year Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert on the route. Garcon, though, dropped the ball at the 15-yard line, bailing out Gilbert in the process. One play later, RGIII's third-down strike to wideout Evan Spencer also fell incomplete, shutting down Washington's first drive of the year at their own 39-yard line.
Griffin returned for a second march, turning a third-and-2 scenario into a fresh set of downs with a nice three-yard run up the middle to move the sticks. One play later, Griffin was hit hard by a Browns pass rusher, but not before he spun the ball downfield to Ryan Grant for 22 yards. The drive shut down after Griffin overthrew Garcon on back-to-back fade routes in the red zone, triggering Kai Forbath's 33-yard field goal.
Griffin finished the night 4-of-8 passing for 36 yards at just 4.5 yards per toss. The most encouraging sign was his arm power on the initial shot to Garcon. Once uncorked, it resembled some of the burners he tossed before a laundry list of injuries sidetracked Griffin's career.
It wasn't perfect, but after two mediocre, troubled-filled campaigns from Griffin, Redskins fans will take it.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast questions whether "True Detective" has been more disappointing than the Jets and dives deep into the mailbag to answer questions about the Redskins' offense.
