The Redskins Portal - ESPN 980

The Redskins shocked the Saints, winning 40-32 in the most hostile environment in the NFL.

The Saints were undefeated (8-0) at home last season as they broke all-time NFL records for offense. The most points the Redskins scored last season was 28. The Saints had a million reasons to unleash an entire offseason of frustration upon their first week opponent. The Redskins were starting a rookie quarterback.

There was a reason the odds makers had Saints favored by 9.5 points, the second highest point spread of the weekend.

Yet as the game played out, two things became very clear. Robert Griffin III, despite his rookie status, is indeed a special talent and a force to be reckoned with this season, and secondly, Mike Shanahan knows how to use him. Of the 5 rookie quarterbacks starting in week one, only Griffin III won his game. Griffin was also the only rookie QB who didn't throw an interception, but he did better than that. Griffin III out performed every other QB in the NFL as he posted the highest QB rating on Sunday - the result of a 19/26 performance for 320 yards including 2 TD and no interceptions.

The Redskins game plan was brilliant. Griffin got comfortable and acclimated to the game early, as the first series script of play calls included a bunch of bubble screens and quick QB runs that kept the Saints guessing. Even though the Saints knew RG3 would be featured in option and pistol formations, they still looked surprised and had no grip on how to handle him. In short, the Saints interim assembly of coaches in shuffled roles were no match for Mike Shanahan and company. In fact, it was Shanahan's third consecutive regular season opener for the Redskins and he is now 15-4 all-time in season openers, the most for any active coach in the NFL. Clearly, if he has time to prepare, he's very good.

The Redskins needed more than a great game plan and a hot QB to win the game though. WR Pierre Garcon's run after the catch on his TD was spectacular and the reason why the Redskins signed him in free agency. Defensively, the Redskins forced Brees into repeated three-and-outs, pressuring him constantly, and tallying a sack and interception. Redskins kicker Billy Cundiff was 4/4 on field goals including two for 40+. And while the Saints may have still scored 32 points, two of those touchdowns occurred on 4th downs, and included a 2-point conversion. The Saints scrapped as much as they could for their 32 points. The Redskins seemed to coast for 40.

The RG3 era began with a bang that suprisingly eclipsed the hype surrounding him as the NFC East just became really interesting.

The names are certainly changing around Redskins Park these days.

Redskins Fan favorite and all-time franchise leader for receptions by a tight end (428) Chris Cooley was released yesterday. Fan favorite and 2nd in in all-time rushing yards (6,824) Clinton Portis finally officially retired last week.

In fact, in the four primary point producing positions: quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, and running back, the Redskins have a new quartet of faces - threel new to the franchise this year.

The new guard

Robert Griffin III - We all know about him of course, the rookie quarterback who doesn't talk or play like one and poised to be the franchise quarterback everybody wants him to be.

Pierre Garcon - The biggest pickup of the offseason in free agency, a proven commidity who honed his skills with one of the greats Peyton Manning. Garcon has been a frequent target of Griffin so far in preseason and looks primed and eager to relish the role of #1 receiver this season for the Redskins.

Fred Davis - Recently voted the offensive player of the 2011 year (despite his suspension) at the Redskins annual Welcome Home Luncheon, Davis is considered by many to be a Top 10 tight end talent. This season Davis will strive to cement himself as a true undisputed top tight end in the NFL.

Alfred Morris - That's right, 6th round draftee and rookie running back Alfred Morris is the fourth face on Mount Rushmore for Redskins' optimists. With Helu, Hightower, and Royster all dealing with injuries and rehab, Morris has taken advantage of the opportunity. Morris turns 2 yard stops into four yard gains. He falls forward. He bounces and spins. He used to be a linebacker and its apparent. It's too early to call right now, but Alfred Morris may be that late round nugget that the Redskins were looking for - and don't be surprised to see him as the starter for the beginning of the season as the other guys figure it out.

Yes, yes, it's the Colts vs. Redskins, but we all know that most people will be focused on the rookie QB matchup that features the #1 and #2 picks of this year's NFL Draft.

Kudos to the NFL for getting something right this offseason ;)

So far in preseason it's Andrew Luck, however, that's been given the license to let the pigskin fly, having already thrown 41 passes with 26 completions.

Compare that to Robert Griffin III, who has only thrown 14 total passes in his two games (9 completions).

That said, given the nature of the 3rd week of NFL preseason, fans should get a healthy dose of Luck vs. RG3 in tomorrow's game which will be RG's home debut at FedExField.

The question many fans are asking is how much of the playbook will RG III get to play with? Will the home town crowd get to see him throw deep? Or will Shanahan save the big show for New Orleans???

The answer arrives tomorrow at the 4pm kickoff. Redskins Radio pregame coverage begins at NOON.

So far so good.

Robert Griffin III and Pierre Garcon, the Washington Redskins' two biggest acquisitions of the offseason, connected three times including a 20 yd touchdown - a combination that we may see a lot more of during the regular season.

Griffin III was 4/6 for 70 yds and a TD, but all of his passes were on target. The two incompletes, one intended for Niles Paul and one for Garcon, both looked like they should have been retained.

The only real glitch in the rookie QB's performance was a lost fumble on a 3rd down during a handoff to Evan Royster, but who's fault that was is debatable.

And although it was just a preseason game, the poise that Robert Griffin III has demonstrated so far in the offseason and training camp, off the field, and with the media seemed to transfer to the field as well. Between baiting the defense into an offsides, on time and on target passing, and a ballerna-esque cutback to avoid a potential sack, Robert Griffin III looked comfortable and in command.

Perhaps most impressively, Griffin III's jersey stayed clean as the combination of a quick release, offensive line protection, and play calling seemed in sync.

Ironically, one of the well-known and often-talked-about talents of RG III, his speed and ability to run, wasn't needed or shown last night. All we saw was pure quarterback play and most fans are probably content with with that.

It was just a preseason game, but you can still almost hear a collective sigh of relief in Washington as Griffin III seemed to play 'as advertised'.