BEREA: After watching Robert Griffin III practice this week, associate head coach-offense Pep Hamilton expects the quarterback to bounce back Sunday when the Browns (0-13) visit the Buffalo Bills (6-7).
“He has no choice. We are counting on him to become more consistent,” Hamilton said Friday. “With another week of practice under his belt, we expect that he will go out and play efficient football and give us a chance to win the game.”
That didn’t happen in Sunday’s 23-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Griffin completed just 12-of-28 passes for 104 yards with an interception and a rating of 38.4. He finished the first half with a rating of 0.0. He rushed seven times for 31 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown, and took three sacks.
It was his first game back from the fractured coracoid bone he suffered in his left shoulder Sept. 11 during the regular-season opener, so the coaching staff is optimistic the rust won’t be nearly as much as a factor in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Coach Hue Jackson said Griffin’s control of the offense and connection with his targets improved this week in practice.
“I see an uptick in all those things like I hope to see from Week 1 to Week 2,” Jackson said. “There just seems to be better chemistry. Now he is directing people in what spots to be in and where they need to be for him. I think they get it. In order for him to have success, everybody has to do their part and do it better. I felt like that this has been a good week as far as that is concerned.”
Griffin will need help to avoid being crushed by the Bills’ pass rush. They’re tied for sixth in the NFL with 33 sacks.
“We have to just have balance in our attack,” Hamilton said. “It starts with us being able to run the football. If we can dent their pass rushers and really lay heavy on them and try to wear those guys down as well as keep third down somewhat manageable ... it gives us a better opportunity to sustain drives.”
Earlier this week, Jackson said he wasn’t ready to write off Griffin.
Hamilton took it a step further. He said it’s still possible for Griffin to recapture his magic from 2012, when he was named the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year with Washington.
“He is tough. He is smart,” Hamilton said. “He is a guy that has proven that he can have success in this league. It is just a matter of whether or not he can get caught up with this group of guys with regards to the time that they have had in the system.
“Without a doubt, he has the potential to be what he was his rookie year and more.”
Rookie Cody Kessler will serve as the No. 2 quarterback Sunday like he did against the Bengals, Jackson said.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.