Here are some notes and observations after Robert Griffin III's practice Monday.
Griffin was rather honest about what he thought of the Redskins' plan, how he didn't always understand why they were taking it slower than he'd like and why, if he was feeling good, the Redskins couldn't deviate -- or alter -- the original plan. But Griffin is not a doctor, or a coach, and the team discovered last season it could not go by what he says he's feeling. Coach Mike Shanahan did not want to bring Griffin back too soon; any sort of setback in camp would have led to second guessing of, and by, Shanahan. So they've taken it slow. If Griffin plays in the opener, the Redskins would have taken it smart,too.
Griffin completed 15 of 17 passes in the 7-on-7 portion, though he did show more accuracy downfield, something he had not always done in previous sessions. He had his usual share of shorter passes, but Griffin had a couple excellent throws.
On his first throw, Griffin connected with tight end Fred Davis down the seam, a good hard delivery. Griffin followed that with a perfectly placed pass over the top of linebacker Brian Orakpo to receiver Pierre Garcon, about 15 yards out along the sideline. A nice touch. Griffin later hit Davis and Garcon in stride along the sideline.
Of his two incompletions, one was a crossing route that was a bit out in front of receiver Aldrick Robinson and the ball skipped off an outstretched hand. The other was a low ball to receiver Dezmon Briscoe. On that play, Griffin looked left and then threw back to the right where Briscoe was covered by DeAngelo Hall. Had Griffin not thrown it low, Hall would have had a pick-six, but the quarterback has a knack for delivering passes away from pressure and that's what he did here. It was a harmless incompletion.
Griffin said going through an ACL injury and subsequent return at Baylor prepared him for what he's going through now, with intense interest in his return. The Redskins limit access to him to once a week, which helps Griffin. But the stories persist with or without his comments. He's learned to tune out the endless stream of commentators and pundits who say what he should, or shouldn't, do. "Everyone will have a different opinion, but in the NFL that opinion gets heard more," Griffin said. "I don't listen to it."
Griffin also said at this point in his recovery in college he was already back practicing in full. "It's no difference now," he said. "It takes time to heal. It's been a lot of time healing, at least in my mind."