Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson miscast, over his head

The Cleveland Browns gave Hue Jackson a third year to be their head coach. The problem is that he’s performing in a role he can’t play. It’s time for the curtain to come down on this act.

Something bothered me about watching Hue Jackson in Hard Knocks, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. It seemed like he was constantly mentioning that he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, as if everyone didn’t know. Every episode it seemed he was “performing” being a head coach.

And then I realized, he is.

Hue Jackson is playing the role he desperately wants to have. But he doesn’t fit, and here’s why.

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When I meet someone who is genuinely funny, he doesn’t have to tell me he’s funny. When a woman is genuinely charming or smart, she doesn’t have to tell me. And the nicest compliments I’ve ever received are from the people who tell me I’m (insert personality trait) because they saw it in me. Not because I told them that’s who I was.

But put a microphone in front of Hue Jackson and he will tell you that he is the head coach. Really, he is. And after today’s loss to Tampa Bay, he reminded us again that, you know, he’s the head coach and if he needs to get more involved with the offense well then darn it he will. Because —wait for it — he’s the head coach.

But he’s not. He’s playing the role of a head coach. But I don’t think he believes it. And it’s becoming pretty clear that the players don’t either. They like Hue. Who wouldn’t.

Hue is the co-worker you love to shoot the bull with. Got Girl Scout cookies to sell? Hue’s your guy. Need someone to give you a pep talk, Hue’s your guy. But when the proverbial crap hits the fan, Hue’s going to be that guy who points the finger at everyone but himself. Instead of digging deep and actually doing better, he’ll find all the reasons that he’s not to blame.

And that’s not leadership. It’s actually the opposite of leadership. Because a leader doesn’t need to be told their a leader. They don’t need to be elected or appointed. They just lead. Because that’s who they are. It’s who Baker Mayfield is. But that isn’t who Hue is.

I take no joy in saying this, but it’s time for the curtain to come down on this act. Hue must go.