Tag Archives: Robert Griffin III

2016 NFL Odds: Can Browns Push For Playoffs With Robert Griffin III as Starter?

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The Cleveland Browns are officially moving forward with Robert Griffin III as their new starting quarterback. Head coach Hue Jackson announced the decision early on Monday, suggesting “it’s time” for RG3 to lead the team in a position he has “earned”.

RG3 Era Begins

The move anoints Robert Griffin III as Cleveland’s starter months after the franchise started over in the front office and parted ways with former first round draft pick, Johnny Manziel. Not long after cutting ties with Johnny Football, RG3 was signed on to compete with 36-year old veteran, Josh McCown. Despite mixed reports in regards to both quarterback’s performances throughout camp, the Browns have opted to roll with the former #2 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Right Move?

There’s little arguing that now is the right time to announce the team’s starter with week one of the preseason coming later this week, but it’s still worth wondering if Jackson and co. picked the right guy for the job. Per numerous reports out of camp, RG3 was inconsistent at best and had the same issues with pocket presence, timing and awareness that he had when with the Washington Redskins.

McCown also wasn’t perfect, but he exhibited much more polish and by most accounts, was the team’s best passer all summer.

Upside could be the name of the game here, however. Hue Jackson is operating in his first season on the job, he has a young receiving corps and for the most part, expectations are low. RG3 gives the offense more potential with the deep ball, he’s a more explosive athlete than McCown and at just 26 years old, there is still room for him to grow as a natural pocket passer.

At least on the surface, going with RG3 is a win-win proposition. if RG3 succeeds, the Browns look like geniuses and Cleveland’s offense could very well be one of the more unpredictable and dangerous units in the league. Should he struggle or get hurt, the Browns could always turn back to McCown or even hand the offense over to rookie passer, Cody Kessler.

Browns’ Playoff Odds

No matter who the Browns put under center, they were facing an uphill battle in the deep and competitive AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to be as good as ever going into the 2016 NFL season, and after a ruthless bout with injuries a year ago, a now healthy Baltimore Ravens squad could also be out for blood.

No one is shocked to see Cleveland start the year as vast underdogs to steal the division, while Bovada gives them +2000 odds to win the division. There is just too much competition to even have that look like a fun bet, and judging on what we’ve seen from RG3 in the last few years, it’s increasingly dangerous to generate much optimism.

The division is probably off limits here, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Cleveland has no shot at the playoffs. Their ridiculous +10000 Super Bowl odds have them as one of the weakest title threats around, but if RG3 can regain his rookie form and Cleveland’s defense can come to life after a down year, there is sleeper appeal in the Browns.

Everything needs to break right, of course. That doesn’t make the Browns a good bet to do many positive things in 2016, but it at least keeps them relevant for the moment. RG3 could potentially play a huge hand in that, too, and at the very worst keeps things interesting in Ohio.

Bovada has a bet going currently as to whether or not Cleveland will make the playoffs:

  • Yes +600
  • No -1000

The “yes” bet offers some solid payout potential and if you believe RG3 can be his old self again, there is some reason to go for it here. On the flip side, the odds are certainly against Cleveland cracking the AFC’s top-six teams and betting against them doesn’t exactly go against the grain. Needless to say, they probably won’t make the playoffs, but you’d have to lay down a ton of cash for a bet against the Browns to actually end up being worth it. Ultimately, the Browns are probably a bet to stay away from in 2016.

Why the Cleveland Browns Shouldn’t Trade Josh McCown

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The Cleveland Browns are increasingly in a better situation as the 2016 NFL season inches closer. Not only was star wide receiver Josh Gordon reinstated by the league this week, but the team also brought in four rookie wide receivers, signed Robert Griffin III and drafted Cody Kessler as a potential long-term option under center.

The maturation of the offense hasn’t been amazing, but the progress has been slow and steady under new head coach Hue Jackson’s watch. It also, unfortuately, has left solid journeyman passer Josh McCown with the impression that he’s out of a job.

End of the Line?

Despite faring quite well with the Browns in 2015, McCown couldn’t stay healthy and ultimately lost his job to a now released Johnny Manziel and eventually RG3. The big question for McCown, who can arguably still play at a fairly high level, is where does he go from here?

The arrival of two new quarterbacks may suggest McCown is on the outs with Cleveland, while a new head coach and management probably pushes that notion over the edge. It is possibly only a matter of time before McCown is cut loose or dealt, and it may simply come down to what the Browns feel they can get for him via a trade.

That could indeed be the writing on the wall, but reports earlier from camp suggested McCown “was the best quarterback” for Cleveland. Despite being 37 years old, McCown still exhibits strong mobility and above average arm strength, while there is little doubt he has better awareness in the pocket than the man trying to take his job – RG3.

Major Asset

There is a strong argument for Cleveland keeping McCown, as he’s at worst a great mind in the quarterback room, as well as a strong insurance policy on the bench. At best, he’s a quality starter that could help the Browns win games again in 2016, much like he did in spots in 2015. Cleveland wasn’t an overly successful team in terms of getting wins with him at the helm, but McCown mastered Cleveland’s offense and had the Browns in just about every game he appeared in.

The same may not be able to be said about Robert Griffin III, who has looked inconsistent at best since joining the Browns. RG3 has always been an erratic player, while his injury history could also be troubling for the Browns. If the Browns don’t feel confident in rolling with Austin Davis or rookie Cody Kessler in the event RG3 gets hurt or falters, keeping McCown certainly has its perks.

Possible Suitors

As much of a luxury as McCown looks to be on paper, he also might cost too much for the Browns to keep as a backup. Due to count over $4 million against the books in 2016, McCown could be on the move merely due to financial reasons.

If McCown ends up getting dealt, the Browns are looking at one of two realistic trade partners: the Denver Broncos and new York Jets.

The Broncos and Jets are both potential playoff teams with strong supporting casts in place, so there is an argument trading for a stable veteran like McCown could potentially put either one of them over the top. Both are currently heading into 2016 without last year’s stater, too, as Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to hold out from the Jets and Denver lost both Peyton Manning (retirement) and Brock Osweiler (free agency).

The Jets are arguably in the worse spot, as they have Geno Smith as their main backup plan, and don’t seem particularly excited about turning to him or youngsters, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg. Their ideal situation would be to finish a deal to bring Fitzpatrick, or burn that bridge by trading for McCown.

The same goes for Denver, who are coming off a Super Bowl win and feel they have the defense, coaching and supporting offensive pieces to shoot for a repeat. Quarterback is their lone glaring issue, with Mark Sanchez looking like the only option under center at the moment. Rookie Paxton Lynch doesn’t seem ready and Trevor Siemian, though generating praise, has never been regarded as a prospect worth shoving into a big role.

Suffice to say, both New York and Denver should be giving Cleveland a call.

What Should Browns Do?

Signing Robert Griffin III probably looked like a fun, splashy move on paper, but Hue Jackson and co. probably learned quickly what the Washington Redskins found out: RG3 isn’t an NFL starter. He simply lacks the pocket presence, awareness and consistency to get the job done.

RG3 looked like a good get on paper, but Cleveland made a mistake here and instead should be moving forward with McCown as the starter with Davis and Kessler working to improve behind him. Ideally, Kessler is the future and in a season or two, he’d get his chance. For now, however, the Browns would be foolish to trade McCown, who was their best quarterback in 2015 and still is going into 2016.