It wasn't perfect, but Hue Jackson liked what he saw in Robert Griffin III's debut as the Browns starting quarterback Friday night against the Packers. Now, Griffin and Co. have quickly turned the page to Thursday night's game against Atlanta, which should afford Cleveland the chance to build on bright moments at Green Bay and address shortcomings.
"It just means we as an offense and as a team have to go out and execute better. I didn't do a good enough job of helping us put points on the board, and that's what we want to do," said Griffin, who met with reporters Monday before practice.
"That's the name of our game. We have to go out and score points. We want to move the ball consistently, get points on the board and make sure that we're executing the way that we know we can and what coach has put out for us in the game plan."
Thursday will also mark Griffin's first time in FirstEnergy Stadium as a member of the Browns.
"It's always special whenever you can play a home game. Big shout out to the Dawg Pound. We're excited to get there and really see them and put on for them," he said.
'When you can bring someone to your home, lock the gate and play football, that's a fun experience."
Here are four more things to know from Day 13 of training camp.
No worries about bumps and bruises at WR
By his own admission, Jackson said the Browns have taken some bumps and bruises following their preseason opener against the Packers. Cleveland's receivers have been no exception, as the group manages minor injuries to the likes of Andrew Hawkins, Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, Corey Coleman and others (though Pryor, Coleman and Gordon all practiced Monday).
The veteran Hawkins isn't worried about it.
"Injuries happen every single year. Receivers get hurt every single year since the beginning of football. That'll be a headline next camp, the camp after that, with every single team throughout history," he said with a laugh.
"We just have to get right. All we can focus on is trying to get the injuries prevented and get back from the ones that we're in and continue on. You really can't control that stuff. That's what makes football special and that's what makes it such a crapshoot sometimes."
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Gordon confident he can return to 2014 form**
Josh Gordon made his return to the practice field Monday for the first time in more than a year, and the talented Browns wide receiver is confident he's still the player that led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013.
"I feel just as strong, just as fast as I ever felt before, if not stronger, if not faster," he said. "We'll see how my production is and we'll go from there once we evaluate and get some stuff on film. I'll be able to tell how I feel once I get out there."
Gordon, who was reinstated on a conditional basis by the league last month, had missed the first two weeks of training camp with a quad injury, and Jackson said it's "unlikely" he'll play in Thursday's preseason game against Atlanta.
None of that, however, has slowed down Gordon's approach in meetings and in the film room.
"Away from the field, it's a lot of mental reps, really in meetings, taking a lot more notes trying to pick up the offense a lot quicker compared to all the guys that have been here this time," Gordon said. "I have a lot of room to close that gap and pick up and hopefully play here soon. It takes a lot of effort, and I think that's what I need to do. It's good to create the habit."
Jackson: Bitonio 'one of the finest guards in football'
After a nagging ankle injury shortened Joel Bitonio's 2015 season, the Browns left guard played in his first game since December in Green Bay. And the third-year player, whom Jackson lauded for his strong play Friday at Green Bay, isn't taking anything for granted.
"I injured my same ankle twice, same injury pretty much back to back. The whole season my rookie year, we went 7-9 and last year we went 3-13. We were in the hunt my first year and then last year it was kind of over once I got hurt. It was definitely something that you're like, 'Man.' My rookie year went so well and you take it for granted, almost," Bitonio said Monday.
"Now you come back and I worked my tail off this offseason to get back and I'm ready to go now. We're excited to get back out there and I think we're bringing a good line together."
Bitonio is part of a first-team offensive line that returns veterans in Joe Thomas and John Greco as well as new starters center Cameron Erving and right tackle Austin Pasztor.
Bitonio, who was named to NFL.com's All-Under-25 team this winter, has impressed Jackson over the past few months.
"I think he's one of the finest guards in football," Jackson said, adding, "I think he played extremely well the other night."
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Ogbah reflects on NFL debut**
Before Friday night, Emmanuel Ogbah spoke of pre-game jitters before traveling to Green Bay. When his NFL debut was over, there were no nerves to be found.
Instead, the second-round draft pick had turned plenty of heads, notching six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
"It definitely gives a lot of confidence because first I'm relieved – first game, just getting out and seeing how offensive tackles and offensive linemen are," he said, "but it feels good just going out there and just doing my thing."
Ogbah, whom the Browns drafted to bolster their pass rush, added he's still learning the finer points of playing end in Cleveland's 3-4 defense after making the switch from outside linebacker.
