Robert Griffin III is turning the clock back to 2012. At least that is the version of the quarterback Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson saw at a private workout recently. Rookie-year RG3 had electric speed and quickness, a winning smile and an engaging personality, as well as good accuracy and a cannon arm.
Signing that RG3 would be a no-brainer, but the former 2012 Heisman Trophy-winner did not even play last season and was slowed by injuries and inconsistency the two seasons prior. So while Griffin III is not the quarterback the Washington Redskins pinned their hopes on, Jackson saw someone else - someone ready for a second chance.
A new report describes a meeting between Jackson, the Browns' owner and his wife, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, and Cleveland executive vice president, Sashi Brown. Jackson raved not only about Griffin III the football player, but the person as well. Criticized in Washington for being self-centered, Jackson instead described a player who was humble and honest about his experience.
Jackson reportedly said he "felt like the Earth moved beneath my feet" at one point when Griffin III threw a pass on the run in a full sprint on a rollout play. Jackson also described "freakish" accuracy. In other words, he was the quarterback that inspired the Redskins to give up so much to get him.
Griffin III seemed willing to take meetings with whichever teams showed interest in him, especially since virtually no one was likely to give him anything better than a chance to start. Even with the Browns releasing Johnny Manziel and shopping Josh McCown, the team is still expected to take a quarterback in the NFL Draft, likely either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz.
Griffin III still needs to work on being comfortable in the pocket and moving without tucking and running. But the Browns are showing their faith in Jackson's ability as a coach, which is all Griffin III may need after how his relationship with Jay Gruden (reportedly) unraveled.
Cleveland is expected to reach agreement with former Redskins' QB Robert Griffin III today, per team source. Griffin III to be a Brown.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2016
It's a 2-year deal for #browns and RG3, source says — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 24, 2016
"I'm excited about the opportunity to join the Dawg Pound and help build something here in Cleveland," Griffin III said in a statement. "Coach Hue and Pep, I had a great meeting with them. I really believe in what they preach and how they can help not only me as a player but this team win games and that's what we're all about."
Griffin III joins McCown, Connor Shaw and Austin Davis as the quarterbacks currently on the Browns' roster.
"We are excited about Robert joining the Cleveland Browns," Jackson said. "He brings starting experience to our team and organization. He's a young, athletic, talented passer and he's really just starting out in this league. Just like every player on our team, Robert will have to earn every opportunity he gets. He will compete with the rest of the quarterbacks on our roster and he helps improve our QB room, which was one of my goals upon taking the job. It's a special room and we want to put special people and players in that room."
