son, gators cant cross the goal line.?Ouch -- thats gotta

BEREA, Ohio -- From castoff to captain.Robert Griffin III may have changed the course of a career headed toward disaster.Thrown out in Washington, where he was labeled selfish, moody and immature before his exit, Griffin has reinvented himself with the Browns, who believe the 26-year-old can not only guide them through another rebuild but perhaps become their long-term answer at quarterback.During his first six months with Cleveland, RG3 has become a leader and the new face for a franchise still trying to find its footing.Thats not something you take lightly, Griffin said Wednesday as the Browns prepared for their season opener against Philadelphia. It will be his first start since 2014.Griffin takes nothing casually or for granted any longer.He has moved on from his days with the Redskins and claims to have grown from his four-year stay in the nations capital, where his fall from grace was akin to a scandalous politicians plunge.The experience may have left Griffin scarred, but hes not dwelling on his past and only embracing his second chance in Cleveland.Everything that I have been through personally in the league, it makes you have that emphasis on controlling what you can and focusing on what you can and when you get an opportunity make the most of it, Griffin said.Yeah, Im extremely happy, not satisfied but happy with where I am, the opportunity that has been blessed upon me and being here with these guys is truly a blessing.I cant speak enough about how this locker room has been awesome. I have been able to grow as a player and as a leader in this locker room.From the moment he arrived in Cleveland, Griffin has shown a desire to lead. Despite minimal interest elsewhere, the Browns signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract, a deal that steered them away from drafting a QB with the No. 2 pick, a selection they traded to the Eagles, who as fate would have it are starting rookie Carson Wentz on Sunday.Griffin has been out front with everything hes done. Whether its in the weight room, classroom or on the field, he has led by example.Hes kind of who I thought he was going to be, cornerback Joe Haden said. Hes a super, team-first guy, a dude that just wants to bond, have a friendship. He wants to have a bond with all his teammates. Hes like me.He wants to be liked. He doesnt feel like theres no reason to have anybody walking around and not talking to everybody, so I get that and thats really special and I think thats why the team picked him as a captain.Griffin was voted one of the teams five captains, a selection that even shocked coach Hue Jackson, who has been in the QBs corner from the outset.I was a little surprised, I will be very honest with you, said Jackson, who playfully laughed off the suggestion he rigged the election for Griffin.I was surprised because obviously Robert hasnt been here very long and we havent played a real football game yet. So for him to be voted captain, he should feel good about that. His teammates feel good about him.Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas was aware of Griffins reputation for being self-centered before he came to Cleveland. He hasnt seen that guy yet.When a new player comes in you try not to have any preconceived notions about him based on the media or what you hear from other players, Thomas said. Roberts been such a great leader, being accountable, doing all the things that you need a franchise quarterback to do.Walking into a new team is difficult no matter your position, but when youre expected to be the quarterback who is basically the head coach, offensive coordinator all in one, the stakes are so much higher and its so much more difficult to just slide into that role seamlessly. But hes done an awesome job at it.As he tries to escape his past, Griffin cant break completely free of it. Earlier this week, Redskins Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green called Griffin selfish and childish.Griffin, who is going through a divorce, was disappointed to hear the comments from Green, whom he considers a friend.Griffin may have once fought back. Those days are gone. Hes changed.It is nothing that I can control, he said. I just focus on being here with the Browns, worry about football, and dont let anything distract me.Game notesJackson took issue with former Ravens coach Brian Billick saying the Browns wont win a game this season. Who said what? Jackson said before getting an explanation. Good for him. I didnt know he worked here. I think its really interesting that everybody can comment on other peoples teams and dont even understand their inner workings. I have great respect for Brian, but well see if thats true.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLKevin Pillar Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Dave Righetti Jersey .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. https://www.cheapjerseysgiants.us/2636u-conner-menez-jersey-giants.html . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Willie Keeler Jersey . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. San Francisco Giants Gear .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche.There really is nothing like a good college football rivalry. Just ask former Florida State Seminoles and NFL player Marvin Snoop Minnis.Minnis has been trolling Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes fans with some pretty hilarious Facebook posts for quite some time now.First, he set up a goal line in his backyard last season to keep gators from crawling out of the lake because, as he told his son, gators cant cross the goal line.?Ouch -- thats gotta hurt the folks in Gainesville.Next, it was on to Miami because the Hurricanes werent off the hook, either.?He set up the Canes as garbage cans at his already prearranged Florida goal line.Oh, yes. He even tookk a shot at Al Goldens tie, featured on the large green garbage can.ddddddddddddThis season, hes back at it again.Just to remind the folks in Miami that he was far from being done trolling, Minnis posted a photo of trash day showing a large garbage can with a Miami logo on it.Basically, no team in Florida is safe from Minnis trolling.But he should keep a keen eye out because?these things usually tend to come full circle. We just cant wait to see which Florida or Miami alums come for his beloved Seminoles.-- Courtney Schellin ' ' '