This offseason, the Redskins quarterback will work on his game, and not on rehabilitating a surgically repaired knee. Griffin forced his way back onto the field last season and it was clear to anyone paying attention that he wasn’t physically ready.
This year will be different, former Redskins quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur told ESPN.com reporter John Keim. LaFleur is now at Notre Dame.
He says Griffin “will be able to recognize and play the position faster.”
That’s what one would have expected if he had been healthy last year. Instead, he regressed and was eventually benched in favor of backup Kirk Cousins. Under new coach Jay Gruden, Griffin is pressing the re-start button.
“Everybody will see a big jump in his game,” LaFleur said, “and he’ll look more like he did in Year 1 than in Year 2.”
PLAYERS FINED FOR SAM COMMENTS
The Canadian Football League fined two players Tuesday for making inappropriate comments about openly gay football player Michael Sam.
Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Arland Bruce and Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle Bryant Turner Jr. were penalized undisclosed amounts on Tuesday for postings on social media. Bruce misspelled the word "gay" in his post, which urged Sam to "man up" and "get on your knees and submit to God fully."
"The comments made by these players are extremely disappointing and do not represent the CFL's views or the views of the vast majority of our players," CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement. "The CFL is supportive of openly gay athletes in professional sports and we commend the courage shown by Michael Sam."
Bruce appeared in two NFL games with the San Francisco 49ers in 2003. He and Turner both played college football in the United States. Bruce played at the University of Minnesota and Turner played at Alabama-Birmingham.
PORTER REJOINS STEELERS
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Joey Porter is back in the black and gold, this time as a defensive assistant coach.
Porter, who played eight of his 13 NLF seasons in Pittsburgh, was on the Colorado State coaching staff this past season.
He is no stranger to Steelers’ fans. He ended his pro career with 98 sacks before he was released for salary-cap reasons in March 2007, shortly after Mike Tomlin took over as head coach. ‘’
TURN IN THE STRIPES
The Cincinnati Bengals are not expected to try to re-sign defensive end Michael Johnson, the NFL Network reports.
Johnson, after producing 11 1/2 sacks in 2012, saw his total drop to 3 1/2 in 2013 while getting paid $11.1 million with his franchise tender. At 6-7, 267 pounds and only 27, the versatile pass rusher is looking for double-digit millions per season over the long term, and there’s a good chance some other team, regardless of scheme, will give it to him.
The Bengals can’t afford that or a pricier franchise tag after offering Johnson $40 million over five years last year.
Contributors: Rana L. Cash, Vinnie Iyer
