BEREA, Ohio -- When Josh McCown was asked by Browns wide receivers Terrelle Pryor and Josh Gordon -- players who are much younger than him -- to join them and watch Monday Night Football, Clevelands quarterback didnt pass up the chance.When the invite is there, I will go hang, McCown said.The curious trio of teammates will be huddling again Sunday.McCown, who stayed steady this summer as trade speculation swirled, will replace an injured Robert Griffin III and start Sundays home opener against Baltimore. Griffin broke a bone in his left shoulder last week in Philadelphia and will miss at least eight games.So the Browns (0-1) will turn their offense back over to the capable McCown, whose future in Cleveland seemed tenuous for several months. However, despite fielding several offers for the 37-year-old, the Browns chose to hang on to McCown, a decision that looks shrewder after Griffin went down.Josh is a pros pro, said Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas. You dont survive 15 years in the NFL without knowing how to take care of your business, even in the face of adversity.McCown is relishing another chance, knowing better than anyone he doesnt have many left. His first season with Cleveland was sabotaged by injury, and time is running out on a career that began in 2002 -- when many of his current teammates were still in grade school.For my age, these opportunities, I dont take them lightly, he said. The opportunity to get out there, certainly when that is taken away, it eats at you. Throughout the offseason, it is always in the back of your mind, and the next opportunity you have to make the most of it because you do not know. That is my plan this time around.McCown experienced extreme highs and lows last season against the Ravens (1-0). He passed for a team-record 457 yards and led the Browns to one of their three wins, a 33-30 overtime thriller at Baltimore on Oct. 11. When the teams met again six weeks later, McCown broke his collarbone and missed the final five games.When Cleveland signed RG3 as a free agent in March and then selected rookie Cody Kessler in the third round of Aprils draft, it appeared McCowns days with the Browns were numbered. He blocked out the trade rumors and did what he has always done: whatever the team needed.Even before he was beaten out by Griffin for the Browns starting job in training camp, McCown selflessly stepped aside and offered his snaps so RG3 could have more time with the starters.Its that selflessness that has endeared him to teammates past and present. And its why the Browns, who have 17 rookies on their roster, are grateful to have him to teach their young players, to lead them, and, to hopefully win with them.Im full speed ahead with Josh, coach Hue Jackson said. I think he will go out and play extremely well, and help lead our offense and get us to playing football the way we need to play, and give us an opportunity. We expect him to do that. That is why we kept him here.For all the positive testimonials about McCowns character, theres no escaping that hes just 2-17 in his last two seasons as a starter for Tampa Bay and Cleveland. Although he was on the way to his best statistical season in 2015, McCown was 1-7 for the Browns.Pryor, the QB-turned-wide receiver who spent part of the offseason working out with McCown, said focusing on McCowns record is unfair. Theres more than meets the eye.Last year, he lit a lot of teams up, Pryor said. The guy knows how to play. What we love about Josh is that hes the ultimate competitor. You can see it in his eyes and the way he talks in the huddle.McCown was with Pryor and Gordon, who is serving another four-game drug suspension, when Browns owner Jimmy Haslam called to discuss Griffins injury and offer him support.Which made me feel good for a lot of different reasons, Haslam said. Josh McCown is as good a person as Ive ever met anywhere. Hes just incredible.McCown never thought twice about whether his being with much younger teammates appeared odd.It is good to be around those guys, he said. It keeps me young. Ive been the `old guy for the past five years.Game notes Jackson said he doesnt have a problem with his players celebrating following a big play, as long as they keep it within reason. I want our guys to have a little swagger to them, he said. If that is what makes us play good, more power to them. 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Custom Utah Jazz Jerseys . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. SAN DIEGO -- Ken Whisenhunt returned to the San Diego Chargers and its difficult telling whos happier: Whisenhunt or Philip Rivers?Whisenhunt, the teams offensive coordinator in 2013, is back in the same role.Rivers, who had one of his best seasons in `13, remains the quarterback of a team looking to rebound from a 4-12 record, its worst season since 2003.We really hit it off from that first year and we just picked it back up, Rivers said about his appreciation for Whisenhunt. He has a great feel for the offense.Its the same scheme Rivers and Whisenhunt collaborated on three years ago when it ranked the Chargers offensive was No. 5 in the NFL. That helped the Chargers notch a road playoff win in coach Mike McCoys first season.But the Chargers have struggled since, missing the postseason and going 2-10 in the AFC West as theyve been unable to find an offensive equilibrium after Whisenhunt left.Whisenhunts latest exit as a head coach came in Tennessee, where the Chargers play the Titans in opening the preseason on Saturday. Whisenhunt, a former Arizona Cardinals head coach, was dismissed when starting last season 1-6 after going 2-14 the previous year.But its this year Whisenhunt, 54, is focused on, with a belief the Charger can be among the NFLs most explosive teams.Under Whisenhunt in `13, Rivers led the NFL with a career-high 69.5 completion rate, throwing for nearly 4,500 yards and 32 touchdowns, against just 11 interceptions.Any time yyou have a quarterback like Philip Rivers you can do that, Whisenhunt said.dddddddddddd Because he can do so many things for you.Whisenhunts mission also includes resurrecting the tepid running game. Despite drafting Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon in last years first round, the Chargers ranked last in average rushing yards per play and 31st in rushing yards per game.Gordons rookie season was a disappointment as he failed to score a touchdown or rush for 100 yards in a game. The Chargers drafted fullback Derek Watt, Gordons former Wisconsin teammate, and are hoping Whisenhunt can invigorate the ground attack.Whisenhunt is encouraged Gordon will get on track.Ive seen flashes, Whisenhunt said. But we still have to see what weve got. That is what the preseason games are for.If the Chargers have a running threat, it keeps Rivers, a 13-year pro, from harms way. Numerous times Rivers faced third-and-long last season, which led to him being sacked 40 times and absorbing countless other hits.I think hell do a heck of a job, along with the rest of the staff, of making us the balance attack we want to be, Rivers said.Its clear Whisenhunt is where he wants to be in San Diego.It really wasnt hard to come back, he said. You kidding me? This is a great town.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '