The Browns and Robert Griffin III agreed Thursday to a contract with the one-time phenom as the franchise continues its search for a quarterback answer that dates to its rebirth in Cleveland in 1999. One advantage for RG3 as he competes for the starting job: Because the Browns have a new coaching staff, they can start their offseason program two weeks early on April 4, getting Griffin in the building a month before a rookie.
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“When you talk about Robert, you’re talking about a young man who… has been successful”, Jackson said. He will compete with the rest of the quarterbacks on our roster and he helps improve our QB room, which was one of my goals upon taking the job.
“We were able to see and feel his passion and commitment to re-establishing himself as a starting quarterback in this league and his embrace of the hard work that will be is essential to his development”. Griffin was the second overall pick in the 2012 draft, after the Redskins traded two first-round picks and a second and swapping first-rounders with the Rams.
New Browns coach Hue Jackson has spent a lot of time with California’s Jared Goff and attended the pro day of North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz on Thursday.
Griffin, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, led Washington to the playoffs in his first NFL season. Jackson’s earned reputation as something of a QB guru had to appeal to Griffin, whose Washington career imploded following a brilliant rookie season.
But for all of the success he had in the regular season, a late season sprained knee not only hobbled Griffin III, the quarterback would later suffer a gruesome torn ACL and LCL in the fourth quarter of the Redskins’ Wild Card Round matchup with the Seattle Seahawks at FedExField. “I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team”. “I cherish the opportunity to get another chance to play this handsome game”.
Despite his return to the lineup, Griffin III wasn’t sharp on his throws and was sacked at a high rate before being pulled for Colt McCoy.
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The Browns are likely looking to set up a quarterback competition between a rookie draft pick and Griffin next season, which should soon have McCown on his way out the door. They also have quarterbacks Josh McCown and Austin Davis on their roster, but as is always the case with that position in Cleveland, nothing stands still. Who will start in Week 1? He would have been comeback player of the year if he’d signed with any other team.
