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Cleveland Browns: 3 Questions Going Into The Bye Week

By Kristopher Grimes

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view from the end zone during the game of the Dallas Cowboys against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view from the end zone during the game of the Dallas Cowboys against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Cowboys won 35-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Is it worth starting Robert Griffin III in the final four games if he’s healthy?

Let’s face it, the storyline the Browns dreamed of in  2016 was that of RG3’s redemption. While the organization will never admit it, part of the reason they passed on Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz was their belief RG3 could reclaim the success of his rookie season.

The organization believed that with the right coach in Hue Jackson, a “QB guru,” they could restore Griffin to the greatness he had in 2012. However, Griffin suffered his shoulder injury a grand total of 58 minutes into the first game of the season, and it immediately derailed the plan.

The plan was to rebuild the team around a rebuilt RG3.

So with four games left in the season, RG3 is back with the team. He’s cleared to practice, and he’s cleared for contact. Coach Hue Jackson has said Griffin will compete with Josh McCown and Cody Kessler over the next two weeks.

The question now is should he start? Is there enough time left in the season to properly evaluate him? Or at 0-12 with the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft there for the taking, is it better for the front office and the organization to just to move on?

I think the Browns still need to answer the question they started this season regarding Griffin. Is he THE basket you want to put all of your eggs in?  In order to answer that question, the Browns are going to have to start RG3 for the last four games. Otherwise it will always be that itch that never got scratched.

The counter argument to that would be to let Kessler start, and use the last four games to find out if he’s the QB of the future. The rebuttal to that is that he’s going to be here next year. The Browns will have more time to evaluate Kessler, and at an inexpensive rate.

When it comes to Griffin, it’s a different story. If the Browns draft a QB with their top draft pick, is it worth keeping Griffin on the roster? When his salary and roster spot could be filled by a player who could actually contribute to the future of this team? That’s what the Cleveland Browns need to find out.

So yes, Griffin should start the last four games of the season. His success or failure could guide the decisions going into the 2017 draft, just like it did in the 2016 draft. The Browns front office and coaching staff need to know what they have or don’t have in Griffin. Otherwise we will be asking ourselves more questions like my next internal question…

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