Kopfgelt » being told he wouldnt be offered a new deal

BEREA, Ohio -- Robert Griffin III healed much faster than doctors thought.Now, if he can just mend the 0-12 Browns.Told earlier this season that it was highly unlikely he would be able to play again in 2016 after breaking a bone in his left shoulder late in the Sept. 11 opener at Philadelphia, Griffin practiced Monday as the winless Browns returned from their bye and he could start Sunday when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.Its all falling the right way for me, RG3 said.But while Griffin believes hes ready to return to the field, Browns coach Hue Jackson, who has been forced to shuffle quarterbacks in and out of his lineup all season because of injuries, isnt quite set to put him back behind center.It is too soon, said Jackson, who has Griffin, Josh McCown and rookie Cody Kessler all at his disposal for the first time since Week 1. I will let you know that. We were out there for an hour so we were just knocking off the rust from being gone. We have to get game preparations this week, and I will know more then.Griffin is staying patient. But after being unable to help his teammates during the worst stretch in franchise history, its understandable that hes eager to learn his fate.Coach could wait until Sunday, Griffin said. Thats why hes got the HC on his hat and we all trust him in this locker room. I trust him, and its just a matter of do they feel Im ready to play or do they feel like I need to take some more time. So whatever their decision is, Ill be OK with it because Im here to be a Cleveland Brown.Im here to help this team, not just these last four weeks but into the future. At least thats my hope and my wish, so I just want to have an opportunity to go out there and put it on the line for my team.Jackson said there are several factors to consider before playing Griffin, including the fact that the Browns have given up a league-high 45 sacks. Cleveland has lost two starting guards to foot injuries and struggled to protect the quarterback.Griffin said hes not unnerved about playing behind an injury-ravaged line.Because I know those guys up front are fighting their tails off and its not just on them, its on all of us, he said. We gotta just execute better, get guys in the right spots, make the right calls. Its a team effort. Its not about one guy or two guys or a unit, its all of us together and weve got to make sure that we do a better job.Griffin revealed that doctors werent convinced hed be back this season, but he made it.Its just the best-case scenario happened, he said.Not only did Griffins injury derail his comeback season and raise more questions about the QBs durability, it sent the Browns into a tailspin that hasnt stopped.With dozens of inexperienced players, this figured to be a rough season for Cleveland, but its been much worse and could finish with the Browns becoming the second team in NFL history to go 0-16.While recovering, Griffin stayed engaged in team activities, attending meetings and helping with game plans. He and his teammates have allowed themselves to think about how things could have been different if he didnt get hurt.No doubt, he said. Ive gotten that from a lot of guys in the locker room and coaches, too, just the possibility of what could have been. But right now weve got four weeks ahead of us with an opportunity to do something about it. Cincinnati is the first team up to bat, and they could be the only team. I dont know. The world could end tomorrow.So weve just got to take it one day at a time and try to make sure you do all the things that you can to put your best foot forward. Other than that, its been a tough time, been a tough year for this team, but these guys are tough. This is a really tough group and theyve stuck together. So Im proud to be a part of that.Game notes Jackson said rookie starting safety Derrick Kindred has a foot issue.... The Browns will be permitted to wear customized cleats this week as part of the leagues My Cleats, My Cause campaign. Initially, the NFL said the Titans and Browns would not take part following their bye weeks.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie hasnt processed the fact he wont be lining up for the Kangaroos next season.But he accepts the clubs decision.Petrie, as well as North Melbourne veterans Brent Harvey, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo, were told this week their contracts would not be renewed.Coach Brad Scott told of his heartbreak in making a call which removes 1337 games worth of experience from the clubs list.A chunk of Kangaroos fans have shared their sadness and anger at the move, but theres none of those emotions from Petrie.The 33-year-old is a Kangaroo until the end, saying he stood behind Scotts decision even though it would end his 16-year stint at Arden Street.Id hate to get in the way of the future of this footy club and I want the club to thrive now and in the next generation, he told reporters on Friday.If the club doesnt see me as part of that Im absolutely fine with that.And Im happy to step aside and make sure this side can be finals contenders for the next five years as well.Petrie said Scott didnt deserve criticism for the decision, claiming the coach was enormous in (his) career and respectful in their dealings.He said he walked out of their meetinng on Tuesday in a haze after being told he wouldnt be offered a new deal.ddddddddddddWhen the words come out of the coachs mouth its a bit of a surreal moment, he said.You dont really absorb it until you go away and leave the club.There hasnt been any tears roll down my cheek yet. Maybe when I walk off the ground for the last time that might occur.Scott and the club have been criticised for the manner of the decision but Petrie said it was the right call and made the right way.The only part Id like to change is the unfair way Brads been treated in the last three days, he said.The way that the medias reported this decision and the backlash from small pockets of North Melbourne people has been poor and Im really disappointed thats the case.Tough decisions have been made but the hes got the best interests of the club at heart.Petrie said he hasnt thought about playing on in 2017 at another club as he remains focused on Saturday nights assignment against Greater Western Sydney, which is also the Kangaroos most likely elimination finals opponent. ' ' '