With another chance to be on the field Thursday night against the Lions, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is looking to get into a groove with his teammates.

Last week's preseason opener vs. the Cleveland Browns was important in working out the kinks for the Redskins' first-team offense.

This week against a solid Detroit Lions defense, the goal is to continue building rapport and showing progress, both as individuals and as a unit.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III said Thursday's game will "be a good test."

"You just want to get plays, get the rhythm, timing of everything back down, on the gameday, and see how guys are moving," Griffin III said Tuesday. "Continue to increase our tempo as an offense and just get positive plays."

While head coach Jay Gruden said he's not sure just how many reps the starters will get Thursday night -- saying they'll play "close to around the first quarter, maybe a little longer" -- Griffin III wants to see positive play whenever the ball is in their possession, regardless of how many reps they get.

"We want to get in and get out, make sure we put together a good drive, two drives, however many drives coach wants us to get in," Griffin III said. "And then get on the sideline and watch the young guys go at it."

Last season, Griffin III attempted just 20 passes during the preseason. In last week's game he dropped back to throw eight passes.

The second-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft said he's not concerned with a certain amount of passes he gets over the next few weeks as its simply about getting "in the flow and rhythm."

"You don't want to show your card. 2012, we came out, ran a vanilla offense all preseason and then busted out a brand new offense for the regular season," Griffin III. "So whatever coach has in store for the regular season, we'll be ready for it. We're just using this preseason games to get everybody into game shape."

Part of getting into a flow is being on the same page with your targets, and last week Griffin III and wide receiver Pierre Garçon nearly connected for a 60-plus-yard touchdown.

While Garçon dropped the pass, Griffin III is confident their offseason work together will pay off once the regular season starts.

"It's just communication, him and the coaches, myself and him, just really, really connecting in that area and [I] think our trip down to Florida earlier in the offseason, when we went to his hometown, I think that helps too," Griffin III said. "You get to know a person more whenever you're in their environment. So I think that was very beneficial."

Gruden sees their comfort level coming together once again.

"It comes with repetition and anticipation on routes and knowing where they're going, how they're going to get there," Gruden said. "And then the receivers have to have the trust that the ball's going to be in the air. That takes time, and its coming. Pierre is an excellent receiver, very detail oriented. Ryan Grant is excellent. Andre [Roberts] is excellent with the details. He's got some guys that know exactly how to get there, now we've just got to give them the ball on time and that's coming. And then when we're clicking, that will be a major part of why."

RELATED LINKS:
-- Robert Griffin III: 'I Know What I Meant'
-- Robert Griffin III: 'I Thought We Got Some Good Work In'

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