Cleveland Browns name Robert Griffin III as their starting QB
By Thomas Moore
Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson made it official by announcing that Robert Griffin III will be the team’s starting quarterback.
With two simple words, Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson made official this morning what everyone has known since March.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III will be the starter when the Browns take the field on Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the opening game of the 2016 NFL season.
“It’s time. Robert has earned the right to be named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns,” Jackson said in a statement on the team’s website. “Since he was signed back in March, Robert has made it clear through his actions that he is willing to do everything that has been asked of him to earn this role. Throughout this process he has gained the respect from his teammates, the coaching staff and the entire organization that is necessary for him to lead our offense and really the entire team.
“It’s time. Robert has earned the right to be named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.” – Head coach Hue Jackson
“Pep (Hamilton) has done an outstanding job with that room to get us to this point so we can make this decision at what I feel is the optimal time which enables us to best prepare for the regular season. It’s now on Robert to show the organization and our fans that this is the right decision.”
Griffin will be the 25th different quarterback to start a game for the Browns since the team returned in 1999. The list includes former first-round draft picks Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, Brandon Weeden and Johnny Manziel; along with journeymen Doug Pederson, Luke McCown, Ken Dorsey, Bruce Gradkowski and Jason Campbell, among others.
He is also attempting to become the first Browns quarterback – and only the second since 1991 – to start a full 16-game schedule, which was last done by Couch in 2001.
Griffin has worked hard since joining the Browns to erase the memory of his rise and fall in Washington.
The Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 when he led the Redskins to the playoffs while setting rookie records for passer rating (102.4), interception percentage (1.27) and rushing yards by a quarterback (815), Griffin dealt with serious injuries, feuded with coaches and teammates, and fell so far down the depth chart that he spent most of the 2015 season as a scout team safety.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
But that is all in the past under Jackson’s clean slate program.
“Throughout the offseason program and training camp, Robert has shown improvement every day and we expect him to continue to ascend as he becomes more and more acclimated to the offensive system we will employ this season,” Jackson said. “I’ve been crystal clear on what we expect from Robert. He fully understands the responsibility and I feel he is ready to handle this role.”
Griffin has taken almost all of the reps with the first-team offense in training camp and earned praise for his play in practices over the weekend. Of course, a quarterback should look good when the threat of being hit is eliminated. The real test will begin on Friday when the Browns open the preseason with a game against the Green Bay Packers.
Griffin is the quarterback that Hue Jackson wanted.
We’re now going to find out if Griffin is the quarterback the Cleveland Browns need.