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OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Robert Griffin III needs to emphasise that Sunday’s recreation between the Ravens and Steelers isn’t about him. In truth, he made positive to repeat that phrase 5 occasions on Tuesday.
Griffin is about to start out his first recreation since Jan. 1, 2017, coincidentally additionally towards the Steelers, the place he’ll take over for a resting Lamar Jackson.
Since that begin in Pittsburgh, Griffin has thrown simply 23 passes in an everyday season. And as a backup to Jackson with a rookie behind him on the depth chart, there’s a transparent significance of Sunday’s recreation for Griffin — even when he gained’t say so.
“This recreation will not be about me,” Griffin mentioned. “It is concerning the crew. These guys in entrance of me, these guys going on the market with me each play need to play at a excessive stage, trying to exit and execute. So, I am not going to make this recreation about me.”
Griffin has thrown simply 17 passes this season, all in mop-up obligation for Jackson throughout a blowout. He’s accomplished 12 of these passes and has a landing and an interception, too.
In opposition to the Steelers, although, his expertise shall be a bit totally different than the video games he obtained reps in beforehand.
Pittsburgh remains to be alive for the playoffs and desires a victory to maintain itself afloat for a possible wild card recreation. It can want a Tennessee loss, and a win over Baltimore, to make the playoffs.
That means, Griffin will face the most effective defenses the Ravens have seen this 12 months with out Marshal Yanda, Mark Ingram and doubtlessly just a few different key contributors.
“It is a very, very, excellent protection, nice protection, not solely statistically, however they’re what you name a ‘That Dude Protection,’” Griffin defined. “They’ve that dude and that dude and that dude and that dude, so I do know they don’t seem to be going to return into ‘The Financial institution’ and lay down. They’ve every part to play for, and so they have nice gamers.”
Earlier than Sunday’s recreation, Griffin’s profession has taken quite a few twists and turns ranging from his time in Washington the place he gained Rookie of The Yr in 2012 by way of 2017, the place he was out of the NFL solely.
Now as a beginning quarterback, for at the least per week, he’s obtained a chance to get again to the place he views the extent he can nonetheless play at.
“I simply suppose he is actually locked in on the small print of issues, taking it one play at a time, understanding what we’re attempting to get completed in a short-term side on that specific play but in addition the massive image of what we’re attempting to perform,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman mentioned. “He is a real professional. He is available in each day, works exhausting, (is a) nice teammate. I am actually excited to see him this week.”
There’s historical past for backup quarterbacks incomes large paydays and possibilities on account of Week 17 finales, too.
On Jan. 1, 2012, Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns with a 70.45 completion proportion towards the Lions in Week 17. Flynn was within the lineup for a resting Aaron Rodgers. Just a little over two months later, he signed a three-year deal value 20.5 million dollars with the Seahawks. Flynn, nonetheless, was crushed out for the beginning job by then-rookie Russell Wilson.
However it doesn’t matter what situation was introduced up, Griffin shot down any perceptions that the season finale was about him, and him alone.
“It is like I mentioned, this recreation — I am not going to make it about me or any of these forms of objectives,” Griffin mentioned. “The aim is to exit and execute at a excessive stage.”
Third-string quarterback Hint McSorley may additionally see reps, however even nonetheless, the main focus shall be on Griffin. At the very least to start out.
Since his final begin practically three years to the day, there’s a stage of confidence — and well being — he’s enjoying with that he merely didn’t have earlier than.
“I used to be enjoying with a damaged shoulder again then,” Griffin mentioned. “I do not know if all people knew that. However I am wholesome, and I’ve realized lots. So, to be within the place I have been previously two years, you may both be upset about it and do not work, otherwise you’re upset about it and you’re employed. And I labored by way of it.”
The trail Griffin took, at the least as of now, is usually irrelevant. Sunday’s recreation shall be a serious stepping stone within the subsequent a part of Griffin’s profession and will decide the place he spends subsequent season, and what his function may very well be.
So, Sunday’s recreation will largely be about Griffin — whether or not he needs to confess it or not.
“So, I simply attempt to be an affidavit for everyone who’s ever going by way of one thing to maintain combating,” Griffin mentioned. “Ultimately, you will come out on high, and hopefully you get Lamar Jackson as (your) beginning quarterback and also you get a chance to play within the final recreation of the 12 months.”
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