Redskins' O-line is a problem for RG III

For the Washington Redskins to be successful this season, they are going to need to give Robert Griffin III time in the pocket. That wasn’t the case versus the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.

Granted, left tackle Trent Williams didn’t play, but Washington still had four of its five projected starters on the field for RG III’s time. He was hit four times on seven dropbacks, and then suffered a concussion on his eighth play after fumbling on his eighth dropback.

Last season the Redskins had the 12^th-best pass-blocking efficiency at 80.4, even though there was a significant issue at right tackle. Rookie first-round pick Brandon Scherff is supposed to help — he played right guard on Thursday night — but he struggled, surrendering a sack on a bull rush on the team’s first passing play. He finished the game with a -3.0 grade.

Williams’ return will help, but the Washington pass protection will have to get better if Griffin is to rebound from his poor 2014 season, during which he ranked 33^rd in the NFL among QBs in our grades.