Jackson has a believer in Thomas
Now that the Browns BEREA — are going to make a concerted effort as an organization to win as soon as possible, Hue Jackson should be able to show he’s a much better coach than his 1-30 record indicates.
That wasoneof the main messages 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas delivered Thursday.
Whether Jimmy Haslam fulfills his pledge to keep Jackson for the 2018 season remains to be seen, but Thomas took the vow the owner made three weeks ago at face value.
“I’m excited for it,” Thomas said. “I think Hue really has not been given the opportunity yet to prove what kind of coach he is. From a wins and losses standpoint obviously, the plan for a few years here was to try to attain the highest draft picks possible, which is what we have successfully done. Unfortunately, as that’s going on, the coaches have a hard timewinning any games because of the depth that they are given to play with.
“What we have seen in this building from Hue is a man who is an excellent leader, a great teacher, a great coach. He’s really excited for us to begin a new era where we are spending money in free agency and using our draft picks to select high players, not saving any assets or money for the future. We are going to basically start going all in like the other 31 NFL teams do every year and give the coaches an opportunity to improve on the winloss record.”
The new era to which Thomas alluded began Dec. 7, when the Browns fired head of football operations Sashi Brown and hired new general manager John Dorsey.
“He’s one of the most well-respected personnel men from just a pure, watch-film, football standpoint as any GM in the NFL,” Thomas said of Dorsey. “So I think the fans should definitely be excited about having him be the one that’s making those selections.”
Lineup watch: Steelers right tackle Marcus Gilbert told Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Le’Veon Bell will join wide receiver Anto- nio Brown, who’s dealing with a calf injury, on the sideline against the Browns.
If Gilbert is right and those stars don’t play, the Browns’ chances to avoid becoming the second team in NFL history to finish 0-16 will increase. But remember, they lost 27-24 in overtime in the 2016 finale with Roethlisberger, who’s 21-2 as a starter against the Browns, Bell and Brown resting.
The Steelers can still earn the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC if they defeat the Browns and the visiting New York Jets upset the New England Patriots, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been noncommittal about playing his starters.
Decision looming: Thomas reiterated he has yet to decide whether he’ll retire after this season or attempt to come back from the torn triceps tendon he suffered Oct. 22.
Thomas added Jackson’s fate won’t influence his decision, and he won’t make up his mind until after the finale because he doesn’t want to be a distraction or get caught up in emotions.
Jackson said he hopes Thomas chooses to return.