When Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III stepped on the field for the first time since blowing out his knee in January, he looked like a guy whose recovery is still a work in progress, rather than a player who is all the way back.
That’s the word from former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski, who said on ESPN’s NFL Matchup that Griffin isn’t throwing the ball well because he’s still favoring his injured knee.
“His mechanics are flawed right now because of the injury,” Jaworski said.
As Jaworski showed a Griffin interception, he talked about how Griffin’s footwork was all wrong.
“He never gets his weight on the back foot. As this ball comes out, it’s going to lack energy,” Jaworski said. “His front foot, which is where your weight should transfer to, actually pulls back. So you’re losing the body momentum, the ability to drive the ball with the hip snap, to get the ball to the outside.”
Jaworski said that Griffin will pass the ball better when his knee starts to feel better, but right now it’s a major issue.
“He had a very serious injury,” Jaworski said. “He is protecting that right leg. I get it, I understand it. But you’ve got to be able to make these throws. And I’m sure in three or four weeks, he will be making these throws. But right now, his mechanics, in throwing the football, those deep throws down the field where mechanics are critical, he is struggling.”
According to ESPN, Griffin had 11 off-target passes against the Eagles, more than he had in any game in his rookie season. Griffin may have been medically cleared to play, but he still needs time to shake off the rust.