CLEVELAND — Robert Griffin III will make all the headlines after the Browns’ 24-13 preseason loss to the Falcons on Thursday, and there’s probably good reason for that.
Griffin is proving he has some pizzazz and some punch.
Yes, it’s just the preseason. Yes, a lot of first stringers are just playing it safe to avoid injury. But a lot more appear to be playing with something to prove.
Perhaps no one fits that description better than Griffin.
Coach Hue Jackson has told Griffin that Griffin is the Browns’ man — period. It may not be a bad move, because after not playing all last season with the Redskins, the starting quarterback could probably use the boost in confidence.
He’s certainly been playing with poise. Mostly, he looks like he’s at least having some fun out there.
At times, he looks a little rusty, but that’s OK. It’s to be expected.
Griffin has made some remarkable throws — including a 50-yard touchdown strike to former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor on Thursday. Don’t forget, those two opened the Browns’ preseason with a 49-yard completion.
Pryor finally seems to have found a home in the NFL, and it’s wherever Griffin is in the pocket.
That’s not all.
Griffin also whipped a 29-yard TD pass to tight end Gary Barnidge. This was the same Barnidge who Griffin missed on an interception in the opener.
Barnidge didn’t really finish his route and accepted blame for that play, but he sure made up for it with a fantastic catch on this one. He had to reach just a little, Griffin hitting him in stride. This time, Griffin threw it to a spot where either Barnidge would catch it, or nobody would.
That’s smart, and that’s a QB whose instincts slowly appear to be returning. In the end, Griffin was 6-of-8 for 96 yards and the two scores.
He also showed some good decisions with his feet, after watching the Falcons’ defense fall asleep. Then he ran. One rush was for 22 yards, another for 14.
“I said a long time ago, that position’s got to wear a lot of different hats,” Jackson said of the QB traits he seeks. “It’s not just throwing the ball straight. Obviously, that’s a important quality for a guy to have. But he also has to be able to uplift his teammates and have his teammates follow him. (Griffin) has improved by leaps and bounds. I think you guys can see it. He’s growing.”
This isn’t to crown Griffin as the Browns’ next great hype. It’s not to say the Browns aren’t without issues on both sides of the ball (especially defense). They’re fairly young and they’re bound to take some lumps.
But Griffin has the tools to make things at least interesting. Right now, he’s showing that, and that’s about all the Browns expect.
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