Robert Griffin III is heading to the land of misfit quarterbacks. The Cleveland Browns announced today via Twitter that the former glimmer of hope for Washington has joined the team.
IT'S OFFICIAL.
Welcome to the #DawgPound, Robert Griffin III!
In a statement released by the team, Griffin talked about just how excited he was to join the Browns.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Dawg Pound and help build something here in Cleveland,” Griffin said. “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.
“I’m just excited to come in and compete. Nothing’s ever been given to me in my life, so I just want to go out and compete with the guys and grow with this team. I feel like that’s all I’m really focused on.”
A change of scenery may be just what the doctor orders for the former Heisman Trophy winner at Baylor as he looks to resurrect his NFL career (already), but Cleveland is rarely the destination for quarterback rehabilitation. The Browns have been searching for stability under center for about as long as The Simpsons have been on television, so NFL fans have every right to be a bit skeptical about the chances RGIII and Cleveland become as good a combination as peanut butter and jelly.
Regardless, the Browns are optimistic and are banking on RGIII recapturing his past glory and have been leading up to this for a little bit now.
As the statements from the team and Griffin III indicate, he will have to earn the starting job in Cleveland, and he sounds prepared to embrace that challenge, to whatever extent that truly reaches.
Browns Executive Vice President Sashi Brown talked up Griffin’s skill set.
“Robert possesses a unique skill set at the quarterback position. He has played at a high level in this league and is intent on doing everything in his power to return to that level on a consistent basis.”
Browns head coach Hue Jackson is on board as well.
“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.”
Here at The Comeback we root for good comeback stories. Maybe this will all work out and RGIII will be recognized as one of this year’s top comeback players. Or maybe this will just be another in the long list of Browns quarterback failures. We’ll see.