Robert Griffin III played in just five games in his first season with the Cleveland Browns, but he believes he showed the doubters that he can still play in the NFL:
Robert Griffin III thinks he proved he can still play in the NFL
Even though his play has declined over the years, his confidence has not.
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
The one-time Offensive Rookie of the Year finished the season with 886 yards to go along with two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and three interceptions. The Browns signed Griffin as a free agent last season and he was named the starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
For Griffin, who dealt with injuries in Washington, the biggest issue was staying healthy. He fractured his shoulder in the season opener, and went on injured reserve. Griffin returned to practice in November, and head coach Hue Jackson named Griffin the starting quarterback for the team’s remaining four games. Griffin returned to the Browns lineup in their Week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Griffin led Cleveland to its first and only win of the season against the San Diego Chargers in Week 16. He threw for 164 yards, but left late with a concussion.
“I think the objective when I came back, with the broken shoulder, was to play and try to help my team to have a better chance to win games,” Griffin said. “It didn’t go as well the first go around.
”For that point, it’s just about getting better every day and getting better every game. When you look at it that way, not just myself, but I felt like our team got better every single week the past four games. I’m proud to be a part of this team. I’m proud I fight with these guys. My job was to get better and I think I did that.”
The Browns fell in overtime to the Steelers in their final regular season game. They finished 1-15 and will have the first pick in the draft. Griffin is still under contract with the team for another year, but he’s unsure about his future with the team.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “All I know is that I feel like I can help this team win games.”
But Griffin was clear that he wanted to stay with the Browns and help the youngest team in the NFL to get better.
“I want to be a part of the growth process in Cleveland.”
See More:
