Need to Know: Vick wasn't wearing rib protection, RG3 does

Here is what you need to know on this Wednesday, three days before the Redskins take on the Colts in the home debut of Robert Griffin III.

Unlike RG3, Vick was not wearing rib protection

When Michael Vick had to leave Monday night’s preseason game against the Patriots after taking a shot to the ribs, a lot of Redskins fans broke out into a cold sweat. Robert Griffin III’s game is very similar to that of Vick. If Vick could be knocked out of a game, perhaps more than one game, while holding on to the ball a bit too long trying to make a play, so could Griffin.

Not to say that Griffin can’t get hurt but it appears that he takes a precautionary measure that Vick does not.

Both of them endorse companies that make equipment designed to protect a football player’s rib cage from injury. But according to Darren Rovell of ESPN, Vick was not wearing a rib protection shirt from Unequal, the brand he endorses, when he was hit on Monday night.

However, Griffin is a pitch man for EvoSheild and he wears what he endorses during a game. We know this because Peter King of Sports Illustrated got the information first hand. He was on the sideline when Griffin came out of the game.

When I saw Griffin Thursday night in Buffalo, I patted him on the side and wished him well. And there the rib-protectors were . . . “A lot of people don't want to wear the traditional rib-protectors because they make them look fat,'' Griffin said. "These . . . you can't even tell you have them on, and you're also protecting your body the best way you can, rather than them sliding all over the place.''

Again, it’s a rib shield, not a magical force field that will keep RG3 injury free. But it looks like Griffin is taking some precautions that Vick is not and that should help him stay on the field. 

ESPN mag predicts two wins

ESPN the Magazine has come out with its NFL preview issue. The wizards of smart there predict that the Redskins will go 2-14.

While you should never say never, that is an unreasonably low win total prediction for a team that won five games a year ago and has made improvements at many positions, including the most important one, and is not significantly worse anywhere than it was in 2011.

That is all the discussion that this prediction and other similar doom and gloom scenarios will get here.

Today’s schedule

—11:15 open locker room
—1:00 practice (closed to the media after first 30 minutes)
—After practice Mike Shanahan news conference (approx. 3:00)

In case you missed it

After his 91-yard punt return on Saturday, is Brandon Banks a lock to make the team?

And how about Chris Cooley, what are his chances of making it?

The Redskins are gradually getting healthier as the start of the season approaches.

Days until: RG3 vs. Luck @ FedEx Field 3; first cuts 5; preseason finale vs. Bucs 7; final cuts 9; Redskins @ Saints 18; home opener vs. Bengals 32

Comments

[D]

So when we defeat the Saints on opening-day we're half way there to our two wins!

[Myfreakinname.blogspot.com]

You should probably add that King's preseason trip is partially paid by EvoShield, which makes any claims about the stuff dubious at best. From his article:

The van we're driving around the country in is courtesy of EvoShield, the protective-equipment manufacturer. It's got a huge photo of Griffin, one of their pad-wearers, on the side. When I saw Griffin Thursday night in Buffalo, I patted him on the side and wished him well. And there the rib-protectors were.

Memo to EvoShield: The world's watching. If Griffin runs 100 or so times this year and stays upright, we're all buying your stock.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/peter_king/08/12/mmqb/index.html#ixzz24ITayj5t