PHILADELPHIA: The future may not play out the way first impressions indicate.
But the performances of Robert Griffin III and Carson Wentz on Sunday in the Eagles’ 29-10 season-opening victory over the Browns at Lincoln Financial Field do not bode well for the Browns’ quarterback situation for 2016 and beyond.
Browns quarterback Griffin did not look on the verge of a career revival. Starting his first game since Dec. 28, 2014, Griffin was plagued by some of the same issues that spelled his demise in Washington.
He overthrew and underthrew open receivers. He was picked off on a tipped ball that set up a touchdown and fumbled once, though he managed to recover it. And he continued to show blatant disregard for his own safety, failing to slide on a third-down run with 3:49 remaining that left him with a sprained left shoulder.
Eagles rookie quarterback Wentz, taken with the second overall pick that came in a trade with the Browns, made an impressive debut. He threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns without an interception and finished with a 101 rating. Teammates and foes raved about his poise. He showed chemistry with his receivers despite playing only 38 preseason snaps. It would have been a spectacular effort had the Eagles converted more than 5-of-15 on third down.
Wentz’s day doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to be an elite NFL quarterback. (Griffin, the 2012 offensive rookie of the year, can testify to that.) Griffin’s disappointing effort doesn’t mean that Browns coach Hue Jackson’s reclamation project will be a failure.
But on Sunday, it looked that way, in both cases. And if so, the Browns will have to use a first-round draft pick — either their own or the one they received from the Eagles — on a quarterback next spring.
Considering Wentz was sitting there for the Browns at No. 2 and they gave him away, that’s extremely troubling.
In July, Browns’ chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta told ESPN 850 WKNR that they didn’t believe Wentz was a top-20 quarterback. Yet the same personnel department, headed by executive vice president for football operations Sashi Brown, will be analyzing 2017 draft prospects. Based on Sunday’s first impression, it looks like the Browns made a huge misevaluation of Wentz.
Considering the teardown going on in Berea and the likely effect it will have in wins and losses, they may have a chance next year to whiff with the No. 1 overall pick.
That’s not to say the Browns’ attempt to turn Griffin’s career around is foolish. He is an inexpensive investment, a player with many talents who could reap big rewards. Even while seemingly misunderstood personally, it is easy to root for him.
But thus far the smartest thing this Browns regime has done in regard to a quarterback is to hold on to 37-year-old backup Josh McCown, who may end up starting Sunday’s home opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
Since training camp began, Jackson has preached to Griffin about protecting the football and protecting himself. That’s why his collision with Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills late in the fourth quarter was so alarming.
Mills was waiting for Griffin, guarding the sideline poised to take Griffin down. Griffin could have slid out of bounds, but instead ran Mills over. After being smacked in the chest by Mills, Griffin landed hard on his left arm.
“He kind of just surprised me there,” Griffin said of Mills. “I felt like I did a decent job of protecting myself recently and wanted to continue that. But in the heat of that moment, it kind of just surprised me.”
In the heat of the moment, Griffin reverted back to his old self. Breaking those bad habits along with improving his accuracy will take time.
Griffin’s teammates lauded their captain for showing the toughness to return to the game with 1:12 remaining. But Griffin’s brand of toughness may not be the winning kind. Wentz played after suffering a hairline fracture of his ribs on Aug. 11 and wisely protected himself by running the ball only twice for 1 yard.
Wentz showed promise, Griffin showed flaws.
Perhaps those first impressions will not prove true. But if the Browns eventually give up on Griffin and Wentz goes on to stardom, the 2016 season may come to be remembered as The Big Miss.
Fans must hope that tag doesn’t apply to 2017 as well.
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.