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          NFL Nation

          QB snapshot: Robert Griffin III

          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterDec 23, 2014, 01:00 PM ET
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          A quick observation of quarterback Robert Griffin III and how he played in the Redskins' 27-24 win in Week 16:

          The play-action pass was a big part of Griffin's rookie success and, while his numbers dropped in that area last season, the use of that play remained a big part of Washington's offense.

          However, coach Jay Gruden likes more of a dropback game with less play-action. The Redskins believed before the season that they had receivers who could get open quick and play-action wouldn't be as necessary.

          But the Redskins have started using more play-action lately, with Robert Griffin III taking a season-high 11 dropbacks from this look in Saturday's 27-24 win over Philadelphia. So, with 28 dropbacks, it means Griffin used play-action 39.2 percent of the time -- that's more than he used it under Mike Shanahan (30.2 percent).

          The previous week, in less than four full quarters, Griffin used play-action on 10 dropbacks. In his first two years, he surpassed double digits on dropbacks 17 times (and the team did it 19 times during these two seasons). He had not done so under Gruden until the Giants game. And, as a team, the Redskins have hit double digits on play-action throws in only four games.

          It certainly worked for Griffin and the Redskins on Saturday -- DeSean Jackson's 51-yard strike was set up off play-action. For the game, Griffin completed 6 of 7 passes for 100 yards off play-action (and is a combined 11-for-14 for 179 yards in the past two games). Griffin has been sacked five times in 53 play-action dropbacks.

          It's a tactic the Redskins should use more often with Griffin. He's a better passer from this look -- a 96.3 passer rating out of play-action this season, though without a touchdown (it's 86.3 on regular throws). It provides him more time and in the past he's done a good job selling the fakes, especially out of the stretch zone.

          Gruden did not use a lot of play-action in Cincinnati (21.8 percent of the time). He's called for it on 24.2 percent of the Redskins' dropbacks this season. The Redskins average an NFL-best 12.44 yards per pass attempt using this strategy. If Gruden wants to make things work with Griffin, incorporating something he's had success on in the NFL would be a help. Griffin still needs work in other areas -- we know that -- but there are things he does well.

          When you drop back without play-action, it gives a quarterback more time to read the defense. But the play-action can create gaps and, for Griffin, that often results in successful throws.