RG3: We need to be more consistent on offense

Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III says the Browns have to be more consistent on offense if they want to succeed this fall.

The Cleveland Browns are less than two weeks away from the season opening game on Sept. 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Some of the shine was taken off the offense during a poor performance last Friday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Quarterback Robert Griffin III was able to hit two long passes to Josh Gordon, but the rest of the night was a repeat of the first two preseason games – if Griffin isn’t hitting on the deep ball, there is nothing to the offense.

With time growing short before the start of the season, Griffin says he knows how to fix the problem.

“We just have to be more consistent. The only way to try to score is to try to score. That is what we are trying to do every time we go out there and play,” Griffin said after practice on Tuesday. “We have guys that can make big plays, but those same guys can make the underneath plays that will keep drives going. It starts with me. I have to be more consistent to allow us to do those things.

“The objective is to score points. At the end of the day, no one is going to say, ‘Well, they had this many drives. They didn’t score on these drives but they scored on these ones.’ If you win the game, that is what it is about. Coach has harped on us to make sure that we are doing everything the right way. If we can execute and hit the big plays, then we have to be able to execute and hit the small ones, and that is what we’re focused on.”

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Head coach Hue Jackson is taking a risk by planning to play the starters on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, but with so many new faces on offense it is a necessity as the players need as much work as they can get together.

“It is just about getting in-game live reps with guys. You have an opportunity to read their body language and their speed on the field on game day,” Griffin said. “It’s a little different than practice, but honestly, you just have to go out and trust them. That is the thing that I truly believe in. You have to trust the guys around you. Otherwise, you won’t be successful.

“It is about 11 guys being on the same page. We are getting to the point where we are getting that, and we have to get it more consistently. That is why you go through all these practices and training camp and preseason games so that when the season rolls around, everything is good.”

Despite the disappointment that surrounded the offensive performance against the Buccaneers, there is still reason to be at least cautiously optimistic about the passing game.

Corey Coleman and Terrelle Pryor are still raw in the finer points of playing wide receiver, and Gordon will need to keep it together during his upcoming four-game suspension, but on those days when things are clicking this is going to be Browns first enjoyable offense since 2007. (Judging by how bad the defense may be this fall, the Browns are going to need those points.)

Next: How many rookies will make Browns roster?

And on those days when the offense can’t get it going?

Well, that’s why the Browns have all those draft picks stocked away for 2017.