The Redskins Blog

Griffin III Ready To Seize His Moment

Writing little sayings on his cleats is nothing new to Redskins’ rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.

He emerged onto the practice field last week with “HTTR” written on his cleats, or “Hail To The Redskins.”

But the message on his sneakers on Monday carries a little more meaning for Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy Award winner and No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

“Seize the Moment” was written in silver on the black cleats, and it’s something Griffin III hopes to do Thursday in his first official game as a professional, when the Redskins travel to New York to take on the Buffalo Bills in their preseason opener.

“You want to make sure you come out every day and get better,” Griffin III told reporters after Monday’s practice. “Make sure no matter what happens, whether you have a bad practice or a good practice, that you learn from it and you continue to go out and be better. I think a lot of us made the most of this day today and we feel good about that.”

When he takes the field against the Bills, Griffin III already knows he’ll be facing a talented Buffalo defense. Last season against the Redskins, the Bills sacked Redskins’ quarterback John Beck nine times and picked him off twice in the 23-0 Buffalo win in Toronto.

Griffin III said the coaching staff hasn’t showed him the film from that game.

“They do have a really good, really stout defensive line [and] good linebackers,” Griffin III said. “When it comes to defense, they definitely know what they’re doing.”

As for seizing the moment, Redskins’ head coach Mike Shanahan said he wants Griffin III to take things one play at a time on Thursday.

“Just prepare yourself,” Shanahan said when asked about specific advice he’s going to give Griffin III heading into the game. “Know the plays that are being called and go out there and try to just concentrate play by play. Let the plays happen; don’t try to make it happen.”