From the Factory of Sadness

Cleveland Browns Signing Of Robert Griffin Screams ‘Moneyball’
Nick Dudukovich
by Nick Dudukovich 4d ago Follow @dukeofnick

Cleveland Browns Signing Of Robert Griffin Screams ‘Moneyball’

Does the Cleveland Browns’ signing of Robert Griffin have Paul DePodesta’s finger prints on it? FoS writer Nick Dudukovich can’t help but smell “moneyball” all over this signing.

As the Tweets poured across my feed with the news of Robert Griffin III signing with the Browns, I couldn’t help but think of Jonah Hill portraying Paul DePodesta in “Moneyball,” as he helps Brad Pitt’s character (Billy Beane) change the way baseball teams are constructed.

The biggest element of moneyball at play? Find players the other teams don’t see value in and reap the benefits for yourself. Clearly, the NFL no longer sees value in RG3 and the new Browns analytically-driven front office, along with their quarterback guru head coach, Hue Jackson, believe they can make something out of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

After the signing, there were lots of Tweets and columns trying to bury Griffin with a label. He was “purely a runner who’s going to get hurt.” He’s “not comfortable in the pocket.” “He won’t last a game if he decides to run.”

Remember, think “Moneyball.” Go beyond what we already know and don’t let the labels get in the way. The Browns have an offensive-oriented coach who has done some great work with quarterbacks. He’s not going to make Griffin a pocket guy, or a one-read quarterback. Jackson’s going to make Griffin his guy.
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Look at what Jackson did in Cincinnati. He used multiple schemes utilizing pro-style packages, with spread looks, as ESPN writer Matt Brown noted. Jackson liked giving his quarterback run-pass options, and even drew up quarterback designed runs with Andy Dalton taking snaps.

Jackson has a reputation to cater to his personnel. If there’s one coach who can resurect Griffin, Jackson’s on the short list.

Now, all of this can’t fall on the new coach’s shoulders. Griffin has to be coachable, and by all accounts, he’s come to the Browns a humbled man. He’s done himself a favor by signing now. He’ll be Jackson’s to sculpt for all of Cleveland’s offseason workouts.

This signing also screams moneyball, because consider what else is available. Let’s pretend Paul DePodesta views the position as the spot that should receive the biggest investment. Whom would you rather start? Ryan Fitzpatrick? Josh McCown? By adding Griffin, the Browns added a player with higher long-term upside at the most important position on the field.

Some think Griffin’s making too much at $15 million over two seasons. Remember, this is the NFL. Only guranteed money really matters, and the Browns are only on the hook for $6.75 in gurantees. If it doens’t work out, it’ll be easy to move on in 2017.

This upside versus the potential can’t be overlooked. If Griffin achieves the ceiling–or even comes close to do doing so–the DePodesta and the Browns will have found a diamond in a rock pile with Griffin.
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OK, now I know you don’t need to subscribe to moneyball tactics to see what this signing really is–a low-risk reclamation project. Not the first time it’s been done. If RG3 goes bust, the Browns simply move on. But as evidenced by the signing, the Browns believe there is still value in RG3, and are at least willing to see if they can harvest it for their own well being.