National Football League

Redskins QB Griffin preparing for 2014 season

Published Mar. 17, 2014 10:51 p.m. ET

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BALTIMORE (AP) Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is feeling so strong that he's ready to ditch the knee brace that he played with last season.

Griffin was on hand for the 36th annual Ed Block Courage Awards in Baltimore on Monday night. Players from each NFL franchise nominate a teammate, and Griffin got the honor in Washington.

The talented quarterback said his teammates picking him for the award was especially meaningful considering their challenging 2013 season, when the Redskins lost their last eight games to finish 3-13.

''It was a tough year,'' Griffin said. ''We didn't win a lot of games, (so) it's truly a testament to my teammates to show me that they still have faith in me, to show me that they appreciate what I had to go through last year coming back from the injury and all the turmoil during the season. That's special to me.''

Griffin spent most of the last offseason trying to rehabilitate his surgically repaired right knee. He struggled for much of the year, throwing for 16 touchdowns with 12 interceptions before then-coach Mike Shanahan benched him for the final three games.

Griffin said he's feeling so good now that he probably will have a different look on the field, especially involving that right knee.

''I think it's safe to say I won't be wearing a brace (this season),'' Griffin said.

Former Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain was back in Baltimore after agreeing to a free-agent deal with the New York Giants. He said it was interesting to come back to town for the award just a few days after signing to play somewhere else.

''The irony, right?'' he said with a laugh. ''The irony of the situation - it's kind of like a farewell, so what better way to go out? I'm going to miss so many people (here).''

Another former Raven, Cory Redding, was nominated by his Indianapolis teammates. Redding said it's an honor for him for several reasons, especially because it involves his work in the community with kids.

''It's very special (because it's from) the men who see me do what I do on a daily basis,'' Redding said. ''They know when I'm out in the community, touching the lives of the youth is not just for show. I really do believe a child saved is a soul saved plus a life.''