From breaking records and earning Rookie of the Year honors, to being benched and regarded as a bad teammate, Robert Griffin III has one last shot to prove himself as a legitimate NFL quarterback.
The reclamation of RGIII is officially underway as new Browns head coach Hue Jackson looks to reshape the former Redskins QB into his rookie form. As a rookie, Griffin’s statistics garnered much attention as he threw for 3,200 yards with a 65.6 completion percentage while adding 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. His 102.4 passer rating and 1.3 interception percentage is the best of all-time among rookie quarterbacks. Compared to the rest of the league, Griffin ranked No. 3 in passer rating only behind Aaron Rodgers (108.0) and Peyton Manning (105.8) and No. 4 in completion percentage finishing behind Matt Ryan, Manning and Rodgers.
It was a remarkable rookie campaign for RGIII, although a big hit to his knee last December by Baltimore Ravens defender Haloti Ngata changed the picture. Despite clearly being injured, limping in pain on the field, Griffin was cleared to reenter the game. It was eventually revealed the quarterback suffered a mild LCL sprain, resulting in missing the following game. Leading the Redskins to the playoffs, Griffin was presented the opportunity to knock off Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round.
The physical Seahawks defense delivered numerous hits on the injured QB. However, being the fierce competitor, Griffin wouldn’t allow this to keep him out of the Redskins first playoff game in five years. Later after a botched snap, Griffin’s right knee gave out. In the offseason, it was revealed he had completely torn his LCL and ACL.
Attitude issues and a demanding demeanor lead to a hostile situation with the Redskins, one that ultimately resulted in his benching in favor of Kirk Cousins.
Now, RGIII has another shot, although – as Cleveland Browns fans are all too aware – it’s never easy to be a successful quarterback on the shores of Lake Erie. Twenty-four men total have tried, and failed, to become the franchise quarterback for the city of Cleveland since the Browns’ return in 1999. Names such as Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and Johnny Manziel are the most recognizable, albeit Anderson is the only one with an NFL job currently as the backup to Cam Newton for the Carolina Panthers.
Many experts believe Griffin signing with the Cleveland Browns is a terrible career decision while others believe it’s a good fit under Hue Jackson, who’s known to be a quarterback guru. Jackson is known for developing the likes of Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton as both are considered top-tier quarterbacks in the NFL today.
Griffin understands his opportunities are low if his stint in Cleveland ends poorly but also realizes that if he succeeds, the sky is truly the limit. Understandably it is a make-or-break season for the former Baylor superstar, a career defining one as well.
The Browns finished with a 3-13 record in 2015 and their roster has undergone complete reconstruction amid the new regime that includes Hue Jackson and a cast of Harvard graduates in Sashi Brown and Paul “Moneyball” DePodesta. The weapons are limited with the Browns, there is no Santana Moss or Pierre Garcon that helped Griffin strive in 2012. As a matter of fact, the team recently cut veteran Brian Hartline, leaving only Andrew Hawkins as the only Browns receiver that is 28 or older.
The Browns did select a handful of receivers in the 2016 NFL Draft including the No. 13 pick and first wideout taken off the board in Corey Coleman.Coleman is a quick receiver that excels at creating space and breaking off for big plays. The Browns also added Rashard Higgins whose 2014 collegiate season is one of the greatest of all-time. This duo will without a doubt have an instant role as they look to become the playmakers of Jackson’s offense lead by RGIII. Ricardo Louis and Jordan Payton were also added in the later rounds with Louis offering great size and potential. Payton was known to be a great target receiver as he established himself as one of the more reliable options at UCLA last season.
The running back duo of Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. may be the biggest key for the Browns offense in 2016. Running back coach Kirby Wilson believes Johnson’s playmaking will be put on show in the upcoming season. In a May interview, Wilson said “He is what you would call an ultimate weapon for us. He is a running threat, obviously, and his is a pass-receiving threat.”
Griffin obviously is favored to be the starting quarterback, although the coaching staff has vehemently stated it is a full out competition between Griffin, Josh McCown, Austin Davis and rookie Cody Kessler. Whether the statement is just the morally correct thing to say or not, RGIII has been putting the work in and has the support from nine-time pro bowler Joe Thomas.
Thomas was asked by the media how Griffin looks thus far into the offseason workouts and had nothing but good comments to say.
#Browns LT Joe Thomas said RG3 has taken most of reps with ones, he’s giving it everything he has and we’re behind him 100 percent.
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) May 25, 2016
Despite the comments by the Browns organization, they signed the former Redskins quarterback for a reason and that’s because they know he can still play at an elite level if put in the right situation. That right situation just might be under the wing of the football genius that is Hue Jackson.
No more excuses for Robert Griffin III because his 2016 NFL season with the Cleveland Browns will make-or-break his career.
