Cleveland Browns: It’s not Hue Jackson’s first year despite ownership views
By Ryan Rosko
The stance Cleveland Browns ownership has on Hue Jackson’s tenure is not surprising. It is also something that is hard to agree with.
The past is the past and the future is the future. The Cleveland Browns must accept what has transpired dating back to 1999 and especially since Hue Jackson was hired.
There is only one way to go and that is up for Cleveland, who significantly upgraded their roster thanks to general manager John Dorsey. Jackson meanwhile, should continue to have a hot seat and be concerned about that.
The key to exactly how much success is achieved is Jackson, who is 1-31 in two seasons, including a winless 2017 campaign. Jackson, Browns ownership, and the organization cannot alter the past but they can also not ignore it.
On Saturday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam discussed via 92.3 The Fan’s Daryl Ruiter how he views 2018 as Jackson’s first year.
#Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam said their commitment to Hue Jackson is unwavering. In some ways can treat this like his first year just because of talent level. Won't put a win-loss total on him when it comes to 2018 expectations
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) July 28, 2018
Furthermore, apparently, no one has seen the actual Jackson, which Haslam explained via Akron Beacon Journal’s Nate Ulrich.
#Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam discussed several topics when they met with reporters today. A highlight was Jimmy saying "I think we'll see the real Hue Jackson" because GM John Dorsey has increased the talent of the team with a roster overhaul this offseason.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) July 28, 2018
For whatever reason, the Haslams don’t want to acknowledge how bad Cleveland was the last couple of seasons during camp. Just because added upgrades are seen in Berea does not mean Jackson upgraded his coaching abilities. That said, Jackson is going to need to let Todd Haley do his thing so that Cleveland can improve.
As mentioned, the past is the past. With that in mind, there is already a very good feel for how Jackson is as a head coach. He has struggled with time management and developing players, among other issues. At the same time though, Sashi Brown and company, while attempting to fix previous regimes’ decisions, did not provide enough talent for the coaching staff.
Even with all of the roster moves, going from a winless season to winning the division is not going to happen but major steps moved forward will be seen. While that is something to look forward too, the Browns are in their current situation because of multiple reasons.
Many of them involve Jackson in some way too. Because of that, actually believing 2018 could be treated like Jackson’s first season is ridiculous.
Given the statements that were made, the Haslams are then treating the last two seasons like a mulligan. That cannot happen. Instead, being optimistic and supporting Jackson going forward is something that is more preferred and logical.
In addition, stating how it really was the last two seasons would lead to more credibility but that won’t happen. If the wheels fall off early and confidence decreases fast this fall, then what are the Haslams, specifically Jimmy, going to say then?
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Cleveland’s reality is that they have upgraded the roster. There is also the hope that Jackson can do better now than he has in 2018 and beyond. However, Jackson being the long-term answer as their head coach is far from a certainty. The future rests in Jackson’s hands and even if he excels, that may not be enough to prevent more changes.