Cleveland Browns hold promising scrimmage and name Griffin III QB

Photos and Article by Mark Horning
Aug 8, 2016
3 min read

It was a beautiful summer day this past Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio as the 93 members of the Cleveland Browns took the field for their second annual Orange and Brown Scrimmage.

Prior to the fans making their way into the stadium, they were invited to take part in a Dawg Pound Midway that was held across from the stadium’s main entrance. The Midway included photo ops with Swagger, autographs from Cleveland Browns alumni, a DJ, a Cleveland Browns shop, a children’s play area and numerous booths sponsored by Cleveland Browns corporate sponsors. The Midway was open for three hours prior to the scrimmage with the scrimmage taking two hours.

The afternoon on the field began with the various kicking units taking the turf to practice kickoffs, punts, field goals and returns. Following this, the entire team was introduced by group as they began by doing their warm-up exercises. The team then divided into two factions each taking an opposite side of the field. It was then the fun began.

The two “teams” then held real time scrimmages but without the heavy hitting or tackling due to the players not wearing shoulder pads and other protective gear. In spite of this drawback, the fans were wowed by a superb aerial display along with some breakout running plays and even a couple of trick plays. Even though it was just a scrimmage, it did not keep fans from loudly cheering any advance of the ball and especially when touchdowns were scored. In all 42,310 Cleveland Browns Fans attended the Scrimmage.

The event marked the third time that the Cleveland Browns held its annual inter-squad scrimmage outside of the Cleveland area. In 2014 it was held at the University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium (home of the Akron Zips) and last year was the Horseshoe in Columbus. During the “halftime” portion of the event, the Cleveland Browns along with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown presented a check for $25,000 that will be used to equip Linden McKinley High School and West High School with brand new five-star football helmets.

Along with members of the two football teams, Columbus City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Dan Good, Linden McKinley High School Head Football Coach Jason Ryan, West High School Head Football Coach Michel Flusche were on hand to receive the check after being invited to attend the Orange and Brown Scrimmage as special guests.

The outing was especially beneficial to #10 QB Robert Griffin III who was named the Cleveland Browns starting Quarterback for the 2016 season by Head Coach Hue Jackson on Monday following the Scrimmage. Griffin III signed with the Browns following four seasons with the Washington Redskins and was named to the #1 position over 14 year veteran Josh McCown, 5 year veteran Austin Davis and rookie Cody Kessler. Griffin III will receive his first start with the Cleveland Browns during this coming Friday’s Cleveland Browns preseason opener at Green Bay.

When asked about his decision at the Monday morning press conference, Head Coach Hue Jackson has this to say, "It's time. Robert has earned the right to be named the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns. Since he was signed back in March, Robert has made it clear through his actions that he is willing to do everything that has been asked of him to earn this role. Throughout this process he has gained the respect from his teammates, the coaching staff and the entire organization that is necessary for him to lead our offense and really the entire team.”

“Pep (Hamilton) has done an outstanding job with that room to get us to this point so we can make this decision at what I feel is the optimal time which enables us to best prepare for the regular season. It's now on Robert to show the organization and our fans that this is the right decision. Throughout the offseason program and training camp, Robert has shown improvement every day and we expect him to continue to ascend as he becomes more and more acclimated to the offensive system we will employ this season. I've been crystal clear on what we expect from Robert. He fully understands the responsibility and I feel he is ready to handle this role."