One of the most-hyped preseason games in recent memory didn’t really live up to its billing.
Yes, it’s the first time that the first two picks in the 2012 draft have met on the field. But the fireworks were few and far between.
Both men exited after leading one drive in the third quarter.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, the first overall pick in April, was steady and consistent. Like last week, he responded to a touchdown from the opponent by taking the Colts down the field for a score of their own, waking up the offense after a sluggish start.
Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin provided more raw entertainment, sending three high-octane rainbows down the field (none were completed), including a first-snap swing for the fences to receiver Pierre Garςon. Griffin also took some hits, including a thumper on third and one from Colts linebacker Jerrell Freeman, who was unblocked on a blitz. Griffin was hit along the sideline while scrambling for a first down; as Mike Vick has learned the hard way over the years, quarterbacks who are gifted with the ability to move need to learn to avoid contact. Each hit could be the one hit that knocks the guy out for one or more weeks.
Griffin led a pair of touchdown drives, and Luck had one. But Griffin enjoyed far more support from his running game, with Florida Atlantic rookie Alfred Morris going over 100 yards as he makes his case to bogart a roster spot from Tim Hightower, Roy Helu, or Evan Royster. For Indy, the supposed “bell cow” Donald Brown gained eight yards on seven attempts.