Cleveland Browns: 2016 is most important year in RG3’s career
The Cleveland Browns brought in Robert Griffin III and he will have the chance to resurrect a once promising career in 2016.
Robert Griffin III was drafted by the Washington Redskins one pick behind Andrew Luck in 2012. Since then he has gone from one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch to someone who was relegated to watching games from the sidelines.
He came out of Baylor with a great deal of hype surrounding his potential, and proved why that hype was there during his rookie season in 2012.
He threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, while he ran for 815 yards and 7 touchdowns. His skill was clear, but his style of play also proved to be prone to injuries. He missed one game in 2012, which came against the Cleveland Browns, but came back for a playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Griffin was clearly not his normal self that game, ultimately leaving after suffering another injury.
He followed up in 2013 with 3,203 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, but his individual performance was overshadowed by the team’s 3-13 record.
More injuries came in 2014, followed by a 2015 where he did not appear in a single game.
Enter the Cleveland Browns, who decided to give Griffin a chance to prove why he was such a high draft pick back in 2012.
Hue Jackson is likely to pick Griffin to be the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, and can do so with the support of the front office.
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While the team does not have high expectations this year, Griffin needs to have some for himself. This doesn’t mean Griffin needs to lead the team to the playoffs in 2016, as that seems like an insurmountable task right now, but he needs to avoid turning the ball over and distribute the ball to the new-look receiving corps the team has this season.
Even if he does make mistakes, Jackson may continue to go with Griffin for the sake of building some stability, but Josh McCown can always be brought in if things get too bad.
This season is all about improvement and developing the new players in town, but a bad season could mean Griffin loses his last real shot at being a starting quarterback in the NFL.
He was already given up on in Washington, and should be grateful a team like the Browns gave him another shot.
Griffin has the skills to be a successful quarterback, but he clearly didn’t mesh with Jay Gruden in Washington.
Hue Jackson should be able to see Griffin’s strengths and also his weaknesses, helping him find what he had back in 2012.
The key is to move away from running the ball, and become more of a pocket passer. This will help Griffin stay healthy and showcase his ability as a passer.
The Browns signed Griffin to a two-year deal, but as he knows, no job is safe in the NFL. If he struggles, the Browns may turn to Cody Kessler or draft another quarterback in 2017, putting Griffin back in the same position he was in as a member of the Redskins.
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So while the Browns are looking for gradual improvement, Griffin is facing an important season if he wants to continue to have a future as a starter in the NFL.