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Rumor: Browns ready to release Robert Griffin III

By Thomas Moore

Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs for a touchdown and is chased by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) and free safety Corey Graham (20) during the second half at New Era Field. Bills beat the Browns 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) runs for a touchdown and is chased by Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (55) and free safety Corey Graham (20) during the second half at New Era Field. Bills beat the Browns 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns are reportedly planning to release quarterback Robert Griffin III after just one ineffective year with the team.

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly ready to move on from Robert Griffin III and are planning to release the oft-injured and ineffective quarterback.

The report is wide-spread, but seems to have started with ESPN’s Josina Anderson:

If true, it will go down as the most non-breaking “breaking news” story of the NFL off-season.

The Browns signed Griffin early in 2016 after a workout that reportedly made the “earth move” under the feet of head coach Hue Jackson. After a training camp “battle” that Griffin was never in danger of losing, and a few deep completions in the preseason, Griffin was named the Browns starting quarterback for the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Related: RG3’s days are numbered

His role as the starter lasted until almost the end of the first game, but late in the fourth quarter Griffin suffered a broken bone in his shoulder that sidelined him for 11 games.

Once he finally returned to the field on Dec. 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Griffin’s play over the final four games of the season was as bad as any that Browns fans have seen from a quarterback over the past two decades.

He only completed 59 percent of his passes in 2016, which would have put him 27th in the league if he had enough attempts, placing him in the company of Blake Bortles, Brock Osweiler (who the Browns acquired on Thursday from the Houston Texans in a trade) and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Griffin also showed a lack of pocket presence as he was sacked 22 times in just five games, most of which were the result of him simply not understanding when it was time to get rid of the ball.

Next: Browns: How many draft picks do they hold?

Griffin was due a roster bonus of $750,000 on Saturday, and while the Browns publicly stated that the money would not be part of the decision, it became clear during the NFL Scouting Combine that it was only a matter of time before they moved on.

Griffin becomes another in a list of bridge quarterbacks to last just one year with the Browns, joining the likes of Trent Dilfer, Jeff Garcia and Jake Delhomme.

Hopefully this means that the Browns are finally serious about finding an actual NFL quarterback to run the offense.

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