Browns vs. Bills training camp: Justin Gilbert’s not so flawless day
By Thomas Moore
Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert (21) runs back a kickoff during the first half against the Washington Redskins in a preseason NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns mixed it up with the Buffalo Bills on Monday in the first of two days of join practices at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y.
And by numerous accounts, embattled cornerback Justin Gilbert had less than a flawless day as he gave up three touchdown passes, including one to Andre Davis, an undrafted rookie, and one to Robert Woods. If you have to look those guys up to see who they are, you’re not alone.
Facts are facts: Justin Gilbert has been beaten for two long touchdowns today. Bills throwing his way a ton
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) August 17, 2015
It’s one thing if fans or media members question Gilbert’s development, it is quite another when one of the Browns’ in-house reporters publicly points it out.
Gilbert is getting considerable practice time this week with Pierre Desir, Robert Nelson and Joe Haden out, which is a very good thing as he needs all the practice time he can get. But we have to wonder just what the heck is going on when our Twitter timeline looks like this:
I didn't see #Browns CB Justin Gilbert break up a pass. I think he gave up a catch every time he was targeted. Never seen such a rough day.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) August 17, 2015
Not looking good for #Browns 2nd-year CB Justin Gilbert. Getting worked by #Bills undrafted rookies: http://t.co/8V2AMbAKPK
— Evan Silva (@evansilva) August 17, 2015
Well, you get the point.
Head coach Mike Pettine addressed the situation following practice, saying the while team has Gilbert’s back, it’s up to Gilbert to get this worked out.
“You have to have that short term memory and be able to bounce back from a play,” Pettine told the team’s website. “The best corners are confident corners and that’s something that comes from having success and if he’s in a little bit of a slump it’s on him. We have to help him but he has to play his way out of it.
“We have to help him but (Justin) has to play his way out of it.” – Head coach Mike Pettine
“You get them to stay true to their technique. When guys get in trouble it’s when their technique starts to slip. They start to do things out of structure to overcompensate. To me it’s a trust thing. Trust his own athletic ability, trust what we’re telling him and just go out and take it play-to-play.
“He understands his mistakes. He wants to learn. He wants to get better.”
Echoing Pettine’s comments was veteran cornerback Tramon Williams, who believes that Gilbert’s current struggles will make him a better play in the long run.
“It is just another opportunity for (Justin),” Williams said. “At this positon, you always want to get as many reps as you can. It is good for him to go through some of those trials right now. He will be better, no doubt about it. Trust me, he’ll be good.
It is just about coming in and believing and competing, pay attention to details. Once you get through that, you will find yourself doing some good things. In his case, some of the things I see. He is in good positon a lot of the times. He just has to figure out what it is and he will be better.”
Gilbert will have another chance to show that he is finally starting to put things together when the Browns and Bills hold another joint practice Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Next: Ray Farmer owns his mistake