BEREA, Ohio -- From castoff to captain.Robert Griffin III may have changed the course of a career headed toward disaster.Thrown out in Washington, where he was labeled selfish, moody and immature before his exit, Griffin has reinvented himself with the Browns, who believe the 26-year-old can not only guide them through another rebuild but perhaps become their long-term answer at quarterback.During his first six months with Cleveland, RG3 has become a leader and the new face for a franchise still trying to find its footing.Thats not something you take lightly, Griffin said Wednesday as the Browns prepared for their season opener against Philadelphia. It will be his first start since 2014.Griffin takes nothing casually or for granted any longer.He has moved on from his days with the Redskins and claims to have grown from his four-year stay in the nations capital, where his fall from grace was akin to a scandalous politicians plunge.The experience may have left Griffin scarred, but hes not dwelling on his past and only embracing his second chance in Cleveland.Everything that I have been through personally in the league, it makes you have that emphasis on controlling what you can and focusing on what you can and when you get an opportunity make the most of it, Griffin said.Yeah, Im extremely happy, not satisfied but happy with where I am, the opportunity that has been blessed upon me and being here with these guys is truly a blessing.I cant speak enough about how this locker room has been awesome. I have been able to grow as a player and as a leader in this locker room.From the moment he arrived in Cleveland, Griffin has shown a desire to lead. Despite minimal interest elsewhere, the Browns signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract, a deal that steered them away from drafting a QB with the No. 2 pick, a selection they traded to the Eagles, who as fate would have it are starting rookie Carson Wentz on Sunday.Griffin has been out front with everything hes done. Whether its in the weight room, classroom or on the field, he has led by example.Hes kind of who I thought he was going to be, cornerback Joe Haden said. Hes a super, team-first guy, a dude that just wants to bond, have a friendship. He wants to have a bond with all his teammates. Hes like me.He wants to be liked. He doesnt feel like theres no reason to have anybody walking around and not talking to everybody, so I get that and thats really special and I think thats why the team picked him as a captain.Griffin was voted one of the teams five captains, a selection that even shocked coach Hue Jackson, who has been in the QBs corner from the outset.I was a little surprised, I will be very honest with you, said Jackson, who playfully laughed off the suggestion he rigged the election for Griffin.I was surprised because obviously Robert hasnt been here very long and we havent played a real football game yet. So for him to be voted captain, he should feel good about that. His teammates feel good about him.Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas was aware of Griffins reputation for being self-centered before he came to Cleveland. He hasnt seen that guy yet.When a new player comes in you try not to have any preconceived notions about him based on the media or what you hear from other players, Thomas said. Roberts been such a great leader, being accountable, doing all the things that you need a franchise quarterback to do.Walking into a new team is difficult no matter your position, but when youre expected to be the quarterback who is basically the head coach, offensive coordinator all in one, the stakes are so much higher and its so much more difficult to just slide into that role seamlessly. But hes done an awesome job at it.As he tries to escape his past, Griffin cant break completely free of it. Earlier this week, Redskins Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green called Griffin selfish and childish.Griffin, who is going through a divorce, was disappointed to hear the comments from Green, whom he considers a friend.Griffin may have once fought back. Those days are gone. Hes changed.It is nothing that I can control, he said. I just focus on being here with the Browns, worry about football, and dont let anything distract me.Game notesJackson took issue with former Ravens coach Brian Billick saying the Browns wont win a game this season. Who said what? Jackson said before getting an explanation. Good for him. I didnt know he worked here. I think its really interesting that everybody can comment on other peoples teams and dont even understand their inner workings. I have great respect for Brian, but well see if thats true.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCollege Tom Brady Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Tom Brady Jersey Michigan . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. https://www.sportsstarsjerseys.com/ . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Womens Michael Jordan Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Authentic Michael Jordan Jersey . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set.CLEVELAND -- Browns safety Jordan Poyer has been discharged from the hospital after one of his kidneys was lacerated by a vicious hit.Poyer was taken to Nashvilles Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital by ambulance during Sundays 28-26 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Browns said the 25-year-old Poyer, in his fourth season with the team, will return to Cleveland.Poyer was injured on a nasty blindside hit by Titans running back Antonio Andrews while covering a punt in the second quarter. Andrews had an unobstructed run at Poyer before delivering his violent blow, which was penalized.Browns coach Hue Jackson does not think Andrews hit was malicious.I think he was trying to do his job, which was block him, and he did, Jackson said. He blocked him. He might have led with his head a little bit, but that is what he got flagged for. That is part of this game.Andrews received a personal foul and will be fined by the NFL.Poyers serious injury is the latest for the Browns, who have placed 12 players -- including quarterback Robert Griffin III -- on IR this season. The team can bring one player off IR after eight games.The team said starting left guard Joel Bitonio underwwent foot surgery on Monday.dddddddddddd The Browns expect Bitonio, who got hurt on the final play of the first half against New England on Oct. 9, to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2017 season. Bitonio is one of Clevelands best players and his loss has forced Jackson to again re-shuffle his offensive line.Also, Browns center Austin Reiter underwent reconstructive left knee surgery Tuesday in Cleveland. Reiter tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 2 against the Washington Redskins, his former team.Because of the rash of injuries, the Browns have started three quarterbacks and played five this season. Theyve also had three centers, lost their starting kicker and before the season started, they lost defensive end Desmond Bryant, their sacks leader in 2015, with a chest injury. In addition, wide receiver Josh Gordon entered rehab just days before he was to return from a four-game league drug suspension.---Online: AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '