Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert
Griffin III
cleared another checkpoint Thursday with a
successful NFL preseason debut. The Redskins\'
starting QB went 4-for-6 for 70 yards against
the Buffalo Bills\'
starting defense and ended his night with a 20-
yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon.
Pierre Garcon Washington Redskins' Pierre Garcon (88) scores a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert
Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III hugs his mother Jacqueline Griffin after a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 7-6. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Pierre Garcon Washington Redskins' Pierre Garcon (88) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert
Pierre Garcon Washington Redskins' Pierre Garcon (88) scores a
touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL
football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard
Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gary
Wiepert)
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III
throws during the first half of a preseason NFL
football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard
Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill
Wippert)
Pierre Garcon, Robert Griffin III Washington Redskins' Pierre Garcon (88) celebrates
his touchdown with Robert Griffin III (10) during
the first half of a preseason NFL football game
against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.,
Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Pierre Garcon Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) scores a touchdown during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert
Rex Grossman Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman throws against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert
Evan Royster, Chris Kelsay Washington Redskins running back Evan Royster (35) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay (90) during the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Richard Crawford Washington Redskins cornerback Richard Crawford (29) runs after an interception against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Johnny White, Markus White Buffalo Bills running back Johnny White (20) carries the ball under pressure from Washington Redskins linebacker Markus White (55) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Kirk Cousins Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (12) throws under pressure from Buffalo Bills defensive end Robert Eddins (48) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Vince Young, Jordan Bernstine Buffalo Bills quarterback Vince Young (10) is pressured by Washington Redskins' Jordan Bernstine (48) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 7-6. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Mario Williams, Tyler Polumbus Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) battles against Washington Redskins offensive tackle Tyler Polumbus (74) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 7-6. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
AP Photo/Bill Wippert
Mike Shanahan, Chan Gailey Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey, left, shakes hands with Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan after a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012. The Redskins won 7-6. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III cleared another checkpoint Thursday with a successful NFL preseason debut.
The Redskins’ starting QB went 4-for-6 for 70 yards against the Buffalo Bills’ starting defense and ended his night with a 20-yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon. RGIII led Washington’s first three offensive series for a total of 14 plays behind center. He left the game with the Redskins leading the Bills 7-3 with 5:54 to play in the first quarter. The Redskins held on for a 7-6 final margin of victory.
“It felt extremely good to come out [and play],” Griffin III told the Redskins Radio Network.
“Coach did a good job calling plays, getting me in a rhythm and helping get the offense in rhythm. That’s what it’s all about.”
RGIII threw one incomplete pass on his opening drive as the Redskins went three- and-out to begin the game. On the Redskins’ next series, RGIII connected with Leonard Hankerson for a 12-yard completion before Royster fumbled one play later at the Washington 21 yard line.
RGIII led Washington’s first three offensive series for a total of 14 plays behind center. He left the game with the Redskins leading the Bills 7-3 with 5:54 to play in the first quarter.
The rookie quarterback’s third series of the game was particularly impressive as RGIII led the Redskins on an eight play 80-yard drive culminating in his TD pass to Garcon.
“It was a great feeling having a long drive that we really needed,” Garcon told the Redskins Radio Network. “Playing against a different opponent, we really need to put it on tape and see where we can get better. But it was good to have some drives and good to obviously score a touchdown too.”
Garcon led all Washington starters with three catches for 58 yards, while Evan Royster rushed for 21 yards on seven carries. Royster also had a fumble, the game’s only turnover of the first quarter.
The Redskins answered with the game’s only touchdown on the very next drive.
Backup QB Rex Grossman replaced RGIII late in the first quarter but the 10-year veteran failed to duplicate the rookie’s performance. Grossman went 2-for-10 for 22 yards while rookie Kirk Cousins was 9-for-22 for 74 yards and an interception.
Washington’s preseason opener was far from perfect, but the RGIII era is off to an impressive start.
“It’s very good to watch him,” Garcon said. “I can help him out as much as I can because I’ve been around a great quarterback [in Peyton Manning] and I’ve been in the league for a little bit, so I can try to give him a little bit of knowledge. We communicate and help each other. It’s great to see him come into his own.”
