Notes: RG3 To Start, Curry A Breakout Candidate

Photo by: Jeff Fusco.

The Eagles will face Robert Griffin III to kick off the regular season, as Hue Jackson named his starting quarterback Monday morning. The Eagles host the Browns on September 11 in Week 1.

Griffin, who has reportedly taken all of the first-team reps during Cleveland’s training camp, beat out Josh McCown, Cody Kessler and Austin Davis. According to Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Washington’s former quarterback has “improved markedly” since the spring. Cabot added that Griffin has been “efficient, accurate and fast, both in making decision and running with the ball,” while his mechanics “look outstanding.”

The Browns attempted to trade up to the No. 2 pick in 2012 to select Griffin, but the Rams traded with Washington instead. After Washington released Griffin in March, Cleveland signed him to a two-year, $15 million deal. Griffin has played five career games against the Eagles, going 3-2 while throwing 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions.

However, the Browns will be without their two sack leaders from last season with after Desmond Bryant’s injury and Armonty Bryant’s suspension.

Curry An ‘Early Candidate’ For Breakout Defensive Player Of the Year

The MMQB’s Peter King had a couple of notes about the Eagles in this weekly column, opining that Vinny Curry is an “early candidate for breakout defensive player” this year.

King noted:

He’s moving from the 3-4 to a 4-3 rush end under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. In the old defense, he had 13 sacks in the past two years. “I have a long way to go, but I’ll die trying,” Curry told me. “What I’m better at this year is with my technique—my feet, my first step. I consider myself a core part of this defense, and this year, when our defense is mentioned, I want my name to come up, and not at the end of the conversation.”

King also wrote about Jeffrey Lurie “ultimate wildlife vacation,” reporting that the Eagles owner “went on a gorilla trek in Rwanda,” while coming just a “few yards from a gorilla family.” King added that Eagles President Don Smolenski visited Iceland when the country’s soccer team beat England in the European championships.