Grossman Gets Booed, Outshines RG3 While Gano Claims Starting Job

These guys are the future of their teams

As I took my seat with my little brother in section 452 of Fed-Ex field in the pouring rain, we watched eagerly as both Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III did their pre-game warm-ups. Once everyone was introduced out of their respective locker rooms the chant of 'RG3!' rang out through the stadium, starting from the north end-zone section and slowly resonating through every inch of the stadium, welcoming Griffin to his first game in D.C. It was a sign of things to come as the most anticipated spectacle between this year's top two picks was about to begin.

Before I go into my analysis of the game I just want to point out how amazing the NFL in person is. The warm ups for the pro's don't change much, same quarterback tosses, same linemen rushes, practice plays as in high school, but the precision at which its executed is amazing. Every route run is crisp, every 5 and in route is a solid 90 degree angle, every pass thrown is a perfect spiral that hits the receiver right in the chest. Every punt and kick off is high and seems to stay in the air forever. It's insane really, the level these people play at to make the millions they do. And while it probably isn't worth the $70 tickets, $30 parking, 1 mile long walk to and from the stadium, $7 hot dogs and $10 burgers and sitting in the rain in the nosebleeds to watch a football game, it is still an amazing, unforgettable experience to see a team you've been watching for years on television in person. Now then, back to the game.

The first play of the game I examined at the formation and told my brother it looks like a run, and I was right. It sure looked like a run, until I saw Griffin load up and launch it some 60 yards to an open Pierre Garcon, the crowd stood, gasped, and awed as Griffin overshot Garcon by a few yards. This was the one negative to take from Griffin's game yesterday, he missed all of his deep ball shots by a few hairs every time. Other than that, he didn't take a single sack in two quarters, stood tall in the pocket and was sharp on his short and intermediate throw accuracy. His timing with his receivers was good, (minus the deep throws) and displayed good decision making and even rushed for a third down conversion. He finished with two touchdown drives (1 toss and 1 run by rookie Alfred Morris) and a solid lead over the Colts starters. 

The biggest statistic of the day was turnovers, or lack thereof. The Skins had a combined 4 over the past two games and had none this game. Zero turnovers, good, solid quarterbacking, a dominating defense and exceptional running game will win any game against any opponent this season. Usually this doesn't work out for one or more reasons which is why the Skins were under .500 last season. 

Sexy Rexy is BACK!....for two quarters anyway

Now, for the title, yes its true on the stat sheet but Grossman was simply a man amongst boys against an atrocious Colts 2nd and 3rd team defense. He went a perfect 8 for 8 with two touchdowns after being booed in his 2012 D.C. debut. I was pissed. You don't make your own players feel like crap before they've even thrown a pass in the game. Make them feel at home, support helps them play better. But Grossman looked like a decent back up for 2 quarters, 158.3 quarterback rating never hurt anyone. And he was cheered off the field. But the real show of the day was 6th round draft pick Alfred Morris.

Morris averaged over 7 yards a carry, with over 100 yards on the day on 14 rushes. Morris is simply another product of Mike Shanahan's magical running back drafting voodoo. Its quite possible he could start with injuries to Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster in the season opener. A real guy to look forward to.

Quite possibly the starting QB and RB combo Week 1

The defense was amazing, making sure solid tackles, attacking the ball and keeping the score down and even scoring a safety on a Chris Wilson sack of Mr. Irrelevant, Chandler Harnish. Punter Sav Rocca had all his punts land inside the 20 as per usual and Gano and Rackers didn't have any field goal opportunities but drilled each of 4 extra points. At this point I think Gano has the edge because of his age combined with Rackers 54 yard miss against the Bears. But who knows, maybe Gano misses an overtime kick next week and Rackers drills the next one...my money's on Gano though. 

I think last year's 7th round corner from Boise State, Brandyn Thompson, has a good shot of making the final 53 as he always seems to be around the ball and almost had an interception against the Colts and the secondary could use some depth. 

The sure starters won't play against Tampa Bay as that will be a game for the back ups and a last shot to make an impression on the coaching staff. That's all for tonight, and as always, thanks for reading!

P.S. I wrote this up late last night but was too lazy to proofread it and in that span of time time the Skins cut kicker Neil Rackers, assuring Gano of his starting spot.