As the Browns’ Hue Jackson embarks on his 30th year in coaching, his 16th in the NFL, his reputation as a quarterback whisperer faces its most daunting test.
He was crucial in the development of Joe Flacco, Carson Palmer and Andy Dalton. Journeyman Jason Campbell had the second-highest rating of his pro career when Jackson was his offensive coordinator with the Oakland Raiders in 2010.
But now Jackson heads the reclamation of Robert Griffin III, who sat on the Washington Redskins’ bench all last season despite being healthy. Released in March, Griffin, 26, is at a crossroads in his career, some of it his own doing because he rebuffed mentors willing to help.
But even if Griffin has changed and is now willing to listen, a larger issue looms.
Perhaps no one in the league except the Browns believe the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner can be a pocket passer. Given a two-year contract with $6.75 million guaranteed, Griffin is an inexpensive, low-risk option for a team that has had 24 starting quarterbacks since 1999.
But what kind of quarterback does Jackson want Griffin to be?
In my mind, as the Browns open training camp Friday in Berea, that’s one of the five most pressing questions that must be clarified before the Sept. 11 opener in Philadelphia.
The Browns already have one failed zone-read quarterback on the roster with ex-Buckeye Terrelle Pryor beginning his second season in his conversion to wide receiver.
Limited expectations
Expecting Griffin to totally reinvent himself seems too much to ask. Griffin spent much of his offseason working with guru Tom House in Los Angeles, but eliminating plays that allow Griffin to run might quash his spirit, or what’s left of it after a demoralizing 2015 season in Washington.
Jackson and quarterback coach Pep Hamilton need to find a run-pass balance for Griffin. They must also improve his footwork and decision-making, help him develop rhythm as a thrower and teach him how to slide. And that’s saying nothing about his study habits, obsession with social media and developing his brand, negatives that drew criticism after his record-breaking rookie season with the Redskins.
Looking beyond RG3
Should Griffin fail to impress, the Browns have Josh McCown, Austin Davis and third-round pick Cody Kessler. McCown could be trade bait, but considering Griffin’s injury history (and McCown’s), I’d keep them both, unless Kessler is the sensation of camp.
If Griffin is slow to take to Jackson’s coaching and/or the Browns offense, Jackson will be forced to make a tough decision about his starter against the Eagles. As crazy as it sounds, I wouldn’t rule out McCown at this point.
Here are the other Browns’ issues that most interest me going into Friday:
Can the Browns’ best coaching staff in the expansion era salvage some of the team’s draft misses?
The only other coach since 1999 who rivals Jackson is Butch Davis, and he orchestrated his own demise by trying to be general manager. But even when respected coordinators were hired, as a group the Browns’ coaching staff has been cobbled together with friends and cronies, some with questionable credentials. That no longer seems the case. But whether Jackson and his assistants can turn cornerback Justin Gilbert, linebacker Barkevious Mingo, nose tackle Danny Shelton and center Cameron Erving into legitimate NFL contributors will be nearly as challenging as saving Griffin’s career. Expecting all to become decent starters seems foolish; I’d be happy if the Browns go 2-for-4. If Erving fails, Griffin might be sorry he signed with the Browns.
How will the receiving corps shake out?
The quarterback’s top targets might not be receivers, but tight end Gary Barnidge and running back Duke Johnson. But the receiving corps is another matter. Eleven are on the roster at the moment. If I had to guess now, I’d say 15th overall pick Corey Coleman and Pryor will be the opening day starters. Three other draftees — Ricardo Louis of Auburn, Jordan Payton of UCLA and Rashard Higgins of Colorado State — will vie for roster spots. Josh Gordon can make a big impact after being conditionally reinstated by the league on Monday and suspended for the first four games. But that’s a big if, considering his latest penalty will run his suspension total to 31 of his last 36 games. Andrew Hawkins, presumably the slot receiver, has battled concussions; Taylor Gabriel had a horrible 2015. In the draft, the Browns tried to correct the misguided devaluation of the position by former GM Ray Farmer, but they go to camp with virtually nothing set in stone.
Has one of the league’s weakest linebacking corps been shored up?
For years, I’ve said the Browns didn’t have a linebacker who could start for another NFL team. Paul Kruger obviously broke that mold, but was wasted a year ago by being asked to drop in coverage rather than rush the passer. So, too, did the since-departed Karlos Dansby, but he played way more snaps in 2015 than he should have at age 35. If the Browns are to improve the league’s 30th-ranked rushing defense, coordinator Ray Horton is going to need big efforts from Nate Orchard, Demario Davis, Christian Kirksey and 32nd overall pick Emmanuel Ogbah.
What will happen with Gordon and Isaiah Crowell?
Gordon is expected back on the field Oct. 9 against the New England Patriots, presuming the support he’s receiving from the Browns doesn’t run out during training camp. But the Browns, the league and the media will scrutinize Gordon’s every move. In the offseason, he partied with ex-Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel at the Coachella music festival and at a house in California’s Hollywood Hills that was reportedly trashed, although Browns advisor Jim Brown said Gordon subsequently went to rehab. On Monday, TMZ.com posted Snapchat video of Manziel and Gordon hanging out together last weekend. As enticing as a reunion of ex-Baylor Bears Griffin and Gordon sounds, Gordon must erase the image of him short-arming balls when he returned in 2014. Jackson helped troubled players like receiver Chad Johnson and cornerback Adam Jones in Cincinnati and will likely give Gordon another chance. I’m fine with that, as long as Jackson makes Gordon aware that he’s going to have to work harder than he ever has and if he doesn’t, he’s gone. The days of Gordon skating by on talent alone should be over.
Controversial Crowell
Running back Crowell released a drawing of a police officer getting stabbed in the throat on Instagram just before a sniper killed five officers in Dallas. He quickly deleted it, but the outrage had already been unleashed. Crowell attended the funeral of one of those slain in Dallas and met with the president of the city’s Fallen Officer Foundation, offering to donate his first paycheck to the group. Thus far the Browns have not penalized Crowell. Crowell’s post horrified a coach in another sport, who wondered why he hadn’t been released. To me that still seems justified for an organization that touted character during the draft, no matter the level of Crowell’s remorse. If the Browns keep him, Crowell is in for a rough season on the road, where fans will taunt and boo him incessantly. Expected to be the starter, Crowell will have to grow up quickly.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.