Cleveland Browns: Grading the first quarter of the 2018 season

Grading Hue Jackson

The fanbase is down on head coach Hue Jackson. The fanbase is down on Jackson because of the won-loss record. Even the perpetual excuse making would be tolerable should the Browns be winning games. But the losses combined with the excuse making is an intolerable situation.

Hue Jackson has made terrible decisions in the past. Jackson continues to make terrible decisions this season.

Taylor was anointed the starter from day one. The decision was made to resolve an ever unresolved quarterback issue. He didn’t want it hanging over the team the entire offseason. It sounds good on paper. The problem was he anointed the wrong player. Baker Mayfield has come in and made himself the better quarterback. Jackson failed to see this.

Another questionable decision was starting Desmond Harrison. The decision was basically forced on Jackson by the questionable play of second-round pick Austin Corbett and Shon Coleman. Coleman was an epic failure at left tackle. This prompted Jackson to move Joel Bitonio to left tackle. His replacement Corbett was less than confidence inspiring at left tackle. Thus, Jackson moved Bitonio back to guard and anointed Harrison at left tackle.

This wouldn’t be so bad had Harrison played left tackle all preseason. Instead, Harrison was injured most of training camp. He got little playing time during the preseason. But he is thrust into a position he was ready to play. He has clearly struggled while learning on the job. His play resulted in a lot of hits on Taylor contributing to his concussion.

But before getting the torches and pitchforks, ask yourself: what is the end game? What is the desired outcome of firing Hue Jackson? If Jackson goes, so does Gregg Williams and Todd Haley who seem to be the only competent coaches of the coordinators.

Most fans would say the desired outcome would be winning. Agreed. The good news is that despite Jackson’s questionable decisions, the team is still in position to win. Other than Nick Chubb, the right people are now in the right positions.

Grade: D