Vikings defensive coordinator Alan Williams admires the multi-dimensional talents of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III. But that appreciation quickly fades as Williams zeroes in on game-planning against the standout rookie, a task, he says, that's as arduous as you might think.
"Always a headache," Williams said. "Anyone who can run the football and pass the ball and have a good running game on top of that with the tailback, it's a headache."
After all, Griffin has been dangerous with his arm, completing an NFL-best 69.1 percent of his passes for 1161 yards and four touchdowns. He's also run the ball 42 times for 241 yards and four scores. Washington has gotten creative with its playbook to utilize Griffin's talents, mixing in doses of option offense that Williams concedes are "a nightmare for any coordinator."
As for the last time Williams had to prepare against an offense with the option significantly incorporated?
"It was probably the Delaware Wing-T, Coach Tubby Raymond in the college days," he said. "And it drove me crazy. So I'm glad the NFL isn't filled with those kinds of offenses."
Williams has shown his defensive players an endless queue of RG3 clips, going all the way back to the preseason to issue a reminder of just how dangerous the young quarterback has been on the move. He's also pointed out the big hits that the Rams, Bengals and Falcons put on Griffin when he ran option plays.
"They treated him like a running back and they tried to hit him every chance they got," Williams said. "And that's the only chance you have when you're trying to defend a guy like that."
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