Cleveland Browns May Not Be Frontrunners For Robert Griffin III

The Cleveland Browns may not be frontrunners for free-agent quarterback Robert Griffin, as coach Hue Jackson suggested at a media breakfast during the NFL owners meeting Tuesday morning.

The news that Robert Griffin III had met with the Browns surprised many. He’s the reclamation of reclamation projects, and the Browns are positioned to select their quarterback of the future in April’s draft.

So what gives, with Griffin? The Browns say their just doing their due diligence, and that a Griffin signing wouldn’t rule out drafting a quarterback when the team goes on the clock.

But after seeing what coach Hue Jackson told the media during the NFL owners’ meetings Tuesday morning, it won’t be a surprise to see Griffin sign elsewhere.

Jackson conceded that “it’s a possibility” that Griffin will sign somewhere else, first, according to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. Jackson added, “We’re going to stay true to our process.”

What exactly is that process? Find a reclamation project (Colin Kaepernick, RG3) to start the season, while the new quarterback learns and waits. The process also might signal the end for 36-year-old Josh McCown. With the Browns in a complete rebuild, I question why the team is looking for another quarterback, because McCown seems like the ideal veteran to mentor Cleveland’s next up-and-comer.

Griffin and Kap have something to prove. It’s a different dynamic and the new quarterback’s progression doesn’t need to be stunted by guys trying to resurrect their careers.

Other Brownies to snack on…

–Terrelle Pryor is really excited to be reunited with Hue Jackson, the coach with whom he quarterbacked the Raiders in 2011.

Jackson described Pryor as a “weapon” and as someone the Browns can “do a lot of different things with.”

-Jackson will attend Carson Wentz’s pro day on Thursday. With Wentz possessing all the physical tools, expect rave reviews to make their way out of North Dakota. Even if Wentz wows, don’t forget Jared Goff was pretty darn impressive, too.

Jackson said he’s spent a lot of private time with Goff, and his family. My sleeping bag is stored in Camp Goff, so this qualifies as excellent news.

-ESPN Cleveland Browns writer Tony Grossi as dubbed the new regime as the New Browns Order for all the Harvard degrees that Sashi Brown, Paul DePodesta and Andrew Berry Possess. One would think this group of intellectually gifted executives would relish the chance to start at Harvan Man at QB–Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Jackson downplayed an interest in the former Jet. “We’ve got a bunch of Harvard guys, already,” Jackson said via Ohio.com’s Nate Ulrich.

–Sashi Brown said Cleveland doesn’t plan to trade Joe Thomas. I don’t know why, but I just don’t believe it. This is an analytically driven front office. Everything I know about analytics suggests the Browns must trade the 31-year-old Thomas. His value is extremely high right now, and he’ likely return the Browns a first-round pick.

Next: 3 Players Worth Trading Up For In The NFL Draft

The Browns are downplaying a trade right now, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Thomas’ name pop up during the season as the trade deadline draws near. Cleveland’s record will be in the tank, and perhaps another team gets desperate.