Hue Jackson wants Cleveland Browns to do it the right way

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson is committed to making sure the players do things the right way every time they step on the field.

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson knew what he was getting himself into when he became the 16th full-time head coach in franchise history.

The Browns have been one of the league’s most downtrodden franchises since returning in 1999 and Jackson is part of the latest regime tasked with reversing the team’s fortunes.

While it is hard to measure any real progress under Jackson as the Browns have yet to play a game that matters, his enthusiasm has resonated with the players.

“I think just creating a culture, I think that’s the biggest thing right now,” linebacker Paul Kruger told the team’s website about the changes running through team headquarters. “That’s what coach Jackson has done such a good job of is just creating an environment that’s a culture of winning and a standard people have to really work and strive to reach. I think we’re on the right track for that.”

Jackson touched on part of the culture change on Tuesday when he talked about what the coaching staff is looking for from the players.

“We do this for one thing – I said it when I was hired – to win.” – Head coach Hue Jackson

“To me, I learned a long time ago if you want to motivate people, you better be motivated yourself. I come in here with the right mindset and attitude for our players,” Jackson said. “Hopefully, that rubs off and they understand that this is the only way. This is a hard-driving, grinding business. If you don’t have any passion and you don’t understand why you’re doing this, then it’s hard to do it because it’s tough.

“Every day I ask our players why are they doing this because it is hard. There are a lot of other things that you can do that are a lot easier than doing this, but there’s nothing like this. It’s one of the most rewarding opportunities in all the world, but it’s only rewarding when you win. That’s all we talk about, and that’s all we expect. We understand that there’s a work ethic that we have to deal with every day to do that.

“We want guys that can meet the standard each and every day. I’m not going backwards. Our player’s aren’t going to go backwards. We’re going to do things the right way all the time. I don’t believe that you start changing. I think you start getting better.”

Even though Jackson did not direct those comments to any one player, it’s not hard to see him having a conversation about having a passion for the game and doing things the right way every day with third-year cornerback Justin Gilbert.

Since being drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Gilbert has shown little passion for the game of football or for the hard work need to thrive in a “hard-driving, grinding business,” as former team staff writer Kevin Jones pointed out last fall in an article for Scene magazine:

"Gilbert just doesn’t get joy out of breaking down the Xs and Os. Flashy plays get him going, not the nitty-gritty details that define professional football. … There might not be anybody in the NFL who cares less about football than Gilbert."

ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi also highlighted the aspects of the pro game that Gilbert has shown no interest in:

"Gilbert has a lot of natural ability, but the previous coaches were not able to get through to Gilbert on things like arriving to meetings on time, studying the playbook and his weekly opponent, and transferring coaching points to the practice field and on game days."

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Jackson and defensive coordinator Ray Horton have gone out of their way to talk up Gilbert, which is only natural. At this point in the off-season there is no reason to do anything but try to build up the players.

Gilbert’s athleticism is also going to easily reveal itself when practicing in shorts during a non-competitive environment like minicamp and Organized Team Activities. But as everyone saw last season during joint practices with the Buffalo Bills and the preseason friendly against the Washington Redskins, Gilbert’s skills have not translated to the field when it matters.

Much has been made of the clean slate that Jackson has given the veterans on the roster, but that slate will only remain clean for so long.

Next: Cody Kessler has a great work ethic

If Gilbert doesn’t show that he is committed to doing things the right way all of the time, he may find himself the next former first-round draft pick on his way out of town.

Home/Browns News

Hue Jackson: We have to do it the right way all the time

By Thomas Moore | Jun 8, 2016

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson is committed to making sure the players do things the right way every time they step on the field.

More from Dawg Pound Daily