MARCH 24, 2016
THE COMMUNICATOR
Page 15
Browns coach Hue Jackson talks up RG3 and rookie QBs
cessful,'' Jackson said. ''We would be remiss if we didn't look at everybody and see how they fit for us.'' Griffin has a rocket arm and had sprinter's speed before he got hurt. Jackson could be the right guy to maximize Griffin's potential. Hired in January to be Cleveland's sixth coach since 2008, Jackson has helped develop several quarterbacks over his career. He was Baltimore's quarterbacks coach for Joe Flacco's first two seasons. He coached Carson Palmer in Cincinnati and Oakland. Most impressive, Jackson helped turn Andy Dalton into an MVP candidate last year. Griffin had a knack for grabbing headlines by making comments that sometimes irritated people and other times were misunderstood or misconstrued. Jackson asked him what he thinks went wrong in Washington. In this Dec. 26, 2015, file photo, Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin III warms up before an ''I don't baby people,'' Jackson said. ''He NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, in Philadelphia. Cleveland's never-ending told me the truth. He made mistakes and search for a franchise quarterback could come down to a competition between RG3 and one of learned from them. He took responsibility. the two rookies this summer. I'm going to trust our instincts and my gut BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) -- Browns coach can keep eyes downfield with guys bearing and what I think is best as we go through Hue Jackson had high praise for Robert down.'' On Wentz: ''He has great stature, that process.'' Griffin III. And Jared Goff. And Carson great ability. He looks the part. He has all If the Browns sign Griffin, it wouldn't prethe attributes that you look for.'' Wentz. clude them from drafting California's Goff or Cleveland's never-ending search for a Griffin, released by Washington earlier this North Dakota State's Wentz and letting the franchise quarterback could come down to month, visited the Browns last week. He led two QBs battle in training camp. a competition between RG3 and one of the the Redskins to the NFC East title in 2012 ''I told (Griffin) whatever we decide to do two rookies this summer. Of course, the and was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is what we decide,'' Jackson said. ''He Browns would have to sign Griffin and draft before sustaining a serious knee injury in would have to go and compete. The cream Goff or Wentz with the No. 2 overall pick in the playoffs. Griffin's career steadily de- always rises to the top. If a guy is afraid of clined following the injury and he wasn't in competition, then you have the wrong guy next month's draft. Jackson didn't tip his hand at the NFL own- uniform for any games in 2015 after losing anyway.'' ers' meetings on Tuesday, but he likes all his starting job to Kirk Cousins in training The Browns have used 24 starting quarterthree QBs. On Griffin: ''He was and is a camp. backs since 1999, four guys they drafted in ''When you talk about Robert, you're talk- the first round: Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, tremendous player.'' On Goff: ''Big guy, quick release, tremendous poise in pocket, ing about a young man who has been suc- Brandon Weeden and Johnny Manziel.
Djokovic makes peace with Serena, King over equal pay
Miami (AFP) - Novak Djokovic made peace with Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Serena Williams and others Wednesday, supporting equal prize money for men and women tennis players after days of controversy. The world number one from Serbia suggested men attract more spectators and deserved better paydays in remarks Sunday after winning the Indian Wells final. Stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men's tennis matches. I think that's one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more," said Djokovic, who also noted women "have to go through a lot of different things that we don't have to go through, you know, the hormones and different stuff." Djokovic issued an apology of sorts on social media Tuesday but refused to back down from his remarks, leaving that for his news conference at the ATP and WTA Miami Open, where he is the top seed and defending champion.
"I never had an issue with equality in gender or sport or other areas of life," Djokovic said. "We all deserve more of the wealth distribution from the tournaments." The 11-time Grand Slam singles champion added, "I feel very sorry if I hurt my female colleague tennis players. I have a huge respect for all of them." Djokovic said he had sent messages to Andy Murray, Serena Williams and others who had been critical of his earlier remarks. "I never had any intention to offend them or come up with any negative connotations in my statement," Djokovic said. "I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport." Djokovic spent 30 minutes before talking to reporters speaking with Billie Jean King and Chris Evert about his comments, saying King was not in a fiery mood after her years fighting for gender equity in prize money. "She was in a very good mood with me," said Djokovic. "We spoke about opportuni-
ties that a tennis player has, to use his influence to make a positive difference in the world. We had a nice and friendly chat." King and Evert spoke to reporters earlier, generally talking beyond tennis issues about gender equity but saving a few choice words for Djokovic. "I didn't quite understand the hormones thing," Evert said. "You don't talk about women's hormones. Anywhere." "He was talking about our monthly situation," King said. "Like it was the dark ages." Evert cited cultural differences between Djokovic growing up in Europe and Americans embracing equality for women as a principle in a different time frame. "I think a lot of the comments are cultural," Evert said. "I don't hear that too much from the American men's tennis players. I just think America was the first country. The Europeans took the cue from America. Americans respected equality in a lot of life levels earlier than Europe did."