Cleveland Browns saying the right things about Justin Gilbert

The Cleveland Browns are continuing to work with cornerback Justin Gilbert. But is he finally running out of chances with the team?

It is a new year with yet another new regime, but the story remains the same as the Cleveland Browns continue to talk up Justin Gilbert.

The third-year cornerback has been working with the first team defense during Organized Team Activities in place of Joe Haden, who is still recovering from off-season surgery on his ankle. It is all part of the team’s latest attempt to get through to Gilbert before it is too late.

“With Justin, he’s a talented young man that we need to get the talent from inside of him out onto the football field,” defensive coordinator Ray Horton said in published reports. “Are we treating him differently? No. We’re probably on him a little bit more, but that’s a part of the process because he has a little bit more.

“You have got to understand him, what makes him tick, and that’s part of being a coach. You have got to know your players, there are certain triggers that guys respond to. I am not saying that we can get that out of everybody, but that is what we try to do. He’s responding right now, and he’s doing everything that we ask him to do.”

“With Justin, he’s a talented young man that we need to get the talent from inside of him out onto the football field.” – Defensive coordinator Ray Horton

The Browns have been down this road before with Gilbert, of course. Following a rookie season that featured one highlight play – an interception return for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts – and one major lowlight – being inactive for the season finale after reportedly being continually late for team meetings – the former coaching staff talked up Gilbert heading into the 2015 season.

But it was more of the same for Gilbert. He was abused during a joint practice with the Buffalo Bills; burned during a preseason game against the Washington Redskins that everyone, other than Gilbert, could see; suffered an injury during the season; was called out for his poor technique; had his work ethic called into question; which was also questioned by teammates.

That is all in the past, however, according to Horton.

“Hue Jackson has done a great job of displaying the message – we weren’t here and we don’t know what went on. All we know is what went on film and tape from today,” he said. “Everybody has a clean slate, and you go out and work hard. Is he a work in progress? Yes. Is he carrying anything from four months ago? Not in my book he’s not. He’s just one of the players that we want to help us win a championship here.”

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It is a smart play by the Browns, who really have nothing to lose by getting Gilbert on the field during OTAs. He has always had the physical talent, he just hasn’t been willing or able to translate that talent into a consistent basis on the field.

Having him put in time during Haden’s absence can hopefully rebuild his confidence and, if he makes a mistake, provides the opportunity to correct him without costing the team anything important.

Of course, it is one thing to have some success in drills without pads during May, it is another thing entirely to do it on Sundays in the fall.

A new coaching staff means a new slate for Gilbert. But it also means that if things continue to go south, there is no one left to blame but Gilbert.

Next: Cleveland media needs to let Johnny Manziel go

The Cleveland Browns continue to work with Justin Gilbert in an attempt to get him to play to his talent. Do you think this coaching staff can get through to him?

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