Another Heisman Trophy winner from the state of Texas has landed in Cleveland. This has to go better than the last experience, right? ADVERTISING Another Heisman Trophy winner from the state of Texas has landed in Cleveland. This has to
Another Heisman Trophy winner from the state of Texas has landed in Cleveland. This has to go better than the last experience, right?
I’m not sure it’s even up to Robert Griffin III to make that happen. Well, obviously he will play a substantial role in it. But new head coach Hue Jackson is the one trying to rewrite history and develop a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who have gone through 24 starters at the position since regaining their franchise in 1999.
And when Derek Anderson is arguably the best of those 24? It’s been a long, dry spell for Browns fans and now it’s up to Jackson and Griffin to beat those odds and make something happen.
Don’t dismiss Jackson’s chances. As offensive coordinator in Oakland, he turned that offense into one of the league’s best and earned the head coaching job but was fired after one season with an 8-8 record.
In Cincinnati, Jackson not only helped develop Andy Dalton but had A.J. McCarron ready to go this past season when Dalton was injured. So can he resurrect Griffin’s career?
The Browns believe it enough to have signed Griffin to a deal that will pay him about $7 million even if he never gets off the bench in 2016. That sounds substantial but actually other backups are now paid at a similar rate.
Jackson made it clear shortly after being hired that the Johnny Manziel era was over in Cleveland. Now the Browns will do their best with the man who preceded Manziel to the Heisman podium.
While there’s no question Griffin was in need of a fresh start, it’s hard to imagine he can take hits in the NFL and survive to play another day. He hasn’t shown that ability yet.
But we won’t know for another five weeks exactly how the Browns view Griffin on their depth chart. Jackson attended Carson Wentz’s pro day at North Dakota State, and apparently Wentz lived up to his hype. Some think the Browns could use the second pick on Wentz and let him work his way into the lineup while Griffin gets a short time to revive his professional career.
After a year in which he was never more than a spectator on the Washington sideline, at least Griffin has a team that wants him at all.
