Do the Skins keep the read option with RG3 or scrap it?

[Bacon]

RG3 is a better athlete than Wilson and much closer to prototypical QB height, but he definitely could learn something from the way Wilson throws the ball. I think Seattle also does a better job of mixing in the read option with more traditional sets than we do, and that can be partially blamed on RG3's learning curve, which I would say is a bit steeper. Nonetheless, I think he'll be a much stronger QB all around very soon. Won't even be close.

[s0crates]

I do not think you need to change the scheme, but you do want to coach Griffin to protect himself.

For the record, the initial LCL injury happened on a scramble, not a designed run. The aggravation of the LCL happened without contact on a passing play. The ACL happened in the pocket.

Not that this proves the read option is necessarily safe, but the injuries have not come from it.

[UK_HOG]

Robert just needs to learn when to slide and step out of bounds. The injuries were 100% nothing to do with play calling. The concussion and knee injury were both busted passing plays. We should stick with the read option until other teams make us stop it.

[BnG4ever326]

Maybe we should also stop lining up in shotgun as a low snap caused him to collapse the knee in the first place.

In all seriousness though, and I might be the minority on this, I believe we should still keep the read-option, as it's very effective with a healthy RG3. He just needs to learn to run AWAY from the pursuit rather than INTO the pursuit.

I agree. It's this simple folks. If he's running down the left sideline, TURN LEFT and get out of bounds. If he's running down the right sideline, TURN RIGHT and get out of bounds. If he's running in the middle of the field, SLIDE! We may not get to see any more 76 yd heroic dashes down the field anymore. BUT, I can live with a 10-11-12 yard run for a 1st down to keep drives alive any day. I think that after the surgery and rehab (with NO major setbacks), he'll be fully capable of running that offense again. You can see how lethal it was and will be again with RGIII as the trigger man.

[Oldfan]

Scrap it.

Running inside is dumb for any NFL QB and insane for one off two knee surgeries.

Learn to slide? His slide is so ugly that he's more likely to re-injure the knee that way than by contact.

[asnpcwiz]

Not discounting the fact that RG3 is a deep ball threat, but the read option is what makes him so dynamic. Couple that with the fact that his concussion and his knee injuries were results of scrambles and not designed run plays...you don't have any real reason to go away from the read option. The only thing the Skins need to do with RG3 right now is rehab, heal, and teach him to protect himself better on the read option and scrambles.

[darrelgreenie]

I don't see the read-option as the cause of Griffin's injuries.

Atlanta game: scramble
Baltimore game: scramble
Seahawks game: scramble

Griffin needs to improve his awareness and being smarter about protecting himself when he runs.

[kingdaddy]

The read options are fine. In fact, the threat of it often buys him more time when he does drop back to pass after faking the handoff and rolling out the opposite way. We can't scrap our offense at this point because of this injury same as the Patriots didn't make Tom Brady a mobile QB after he got hit and tore up his knee while sitting in the pocket. We just have to be smart and continue to mix it up. Griffins designed runs this year were ok. In fact, he has a better chance of seeing and preparing for hits before they happen when he is the ball carrier as opposed to being a sitting duck in the pocket. He will learn from this and so will the Shanahans.

[skinnyles]

None of the injuries came on the read option.

Concussion and Ngata hit were on scrambles when the play broke down.

Two knee re-aggrivations against Seattle were non-contact.

This is it in a nut shell...everyone needs to stop saying we need to change everything!!!! He got hurt as ANY QB would have in the same situation. The question is not his running it may be his "Knees"... period.

[Morneblade]

Read option or not, he was hit by 2 linebackers past the line of scrimmage while he was running.

No, he was hit by a LB and DE while he was running...ON PASS PLAYS THAT BROKE DOWN. So, are you saying he shouldnt scramble and should get sacked?

[Chump Bailey]

You need to keep Pistol apart of this team unless you plan on upgrading this line. Read option was one of the reasons why many of the OL line problems weren't shown. This team will not be able to protect RG3 in the pocket with this line if we run a traditional offense.

I agree and think it would be wise to explore upgrades along the OL where possible.

[Pride]

I love RG3, but the dude needs to learn how to slide.. Hell it can't be that hard on our field. If he'd of slid properly instead of flopping his body around like a fish with his arms and legs going in all direction, his leg wouldn't have been out there for Ngata to whack.

[PigskinPhat]

No, he was hit by a LB and DE while he was running...ON PASS PLAYS THAT BROKE DOWN. So, are you saying he shouldnt scramble and should get sacked?

Throw the ball away, live to fight another play!

[beachboy757]

One huge reason I don't want to see the read option scrapped is because next season we will have Roy Helu. What are defenses going to do when we have Helu and Morris lined up in the backfield? They have to worry about Helu in space, Morris trucking down the LB's, RG3 taking off through a lane and RG3/Fred Davis attacking the middle. As long as everyone is healthy this Offense will be top 5 again.

[Orrbe]

Yes, it's devastating, however Kyle has got to pass more on first down, stop the pitches on short yardage, but also next year put in some hurry up offense, tire out the D then run Alfred, and let RGIII have more run-pass option... This offense can be so devastating just need a little more imagination, I feel it'll evolve into a fast break type offense that'll be a horror for DC's league wide...

---------- Post added January-9th-2013 at 09:13 PM ----------

definitely, the skins need to bring in someone from the Nats. and teach RGIII to slide safely, and then he just needs to remember not to cut back into field of play...unless there's only one man to beat on his way to the house...