Daily Madden: RG3 Needs To Learn To Protect Himself
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was cleared for practice this week after suffering a concussion in Sunday's loss to the Falcons. He left the game after he was hit hard when running with the ball near the sideline.
"There was nothing illegal about that play," John Madden told the KCBS morning crew. "Where the rules go from now on, you know, I'm not sure, but helmet to helmet contact is legal. The only time it's not legal is on a defenseless player -- that would be a receiver when he doesn't have a ball or a quarterback in the pocket... RG III is going to learn that it is legal, and when you get that close to the boundary you have to step out of bounds. And there's nothing wrong with that."
For a competitive pro quarterback that's easier said than done.
"You can go to the blackboard and you can talk about these things - you know, don't run so much, stay in the pocket, if you have to run, slide. And it all makes sense and you nod knowingly. But then you get in a game and you look and you need a first down and you're a yard from a first down -- so instinctively you'll go head first... In the heat of the battle, adrenaline is flowing and instincts really take over." (7:50)
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 a.m. Mondays and Fridays during the NFL season.
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