BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson is not happy with the play of the offense, and he let it be known following Sunday’s 26-23 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
In the aftermath of the game, Jackson said he would get more involved in the offense, which started the rumor mill going about coordinator Todd Haley being stripped of his play-calling duties. However, Jackson clarified his statements and said Haley would remain the Browns’ play-caller during his press conference at team headquarters in Berea Monday.
“I never said that I would take over the play-calling,” Jackson said. “I just want to make that clear. I think that sometimes, things get said, written, whatever that is. When I said that I would do whatever I think I need to do, that is to help.”
Through the first seven games of the 2018 regular season, the Browns have scored just eight points, two field goals and one safety, in the first quarter, which is in stark contrast to their end-of-game production, where they have combined for 108 points in the third and fourth periods.
“We have not started fast enough,” Jackson said. “We have not had a very good start, and we are firing on all cylinders in the second half. My whole thing there is if we can put it together -- first half and second half -- then maybe we will have a better chance of finishing some of these games and winning.
“I want to take a really good look at it, be very thorough through it, watch it all and see where I can help -- infuse myself. I do plan on doing that, infuse myself to help and assist our offensive coaching staff.”
Jackson told Haley he “would do anything that he needs,” and that the veteran play-caller, who has made multiple trips to the postseason as an offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as during his tenure as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, was open to the help.
“We all have things that maybe we do not see as well,” Jackson said. “We all have things that maybe as things are going, we may not be privy to because we are not looking just at that. Everybody, sometimes, has their own blind spots.
“I am not saying that Todd does, but I am sure that another good set of eyes on certain things might help. I have always felt that way. I still think that two heads are better than one in certain situations. Obviously, somebody has to lead it, and that is Todd’s job, but at the same time, if I see something where I can help and help us be a little bit better, I think that is my job, as well.”
Although Jackson understands that some perceived his post-game comments as “passing the buck” to Haley for the team’s 2-4-1 record and fourth-place standing in the AFC North Division, that was not the intention of his postgame comments.
Not especially when the Browns have a trip to Heinz Field to battle the Pittsburgh Steelers in a key AFC North game Sunday.
“All of this falls squarely on me,” Jackson said. “If it is going to fall squarely on me, if I feel like I can help -- I do not care if it is offense, defense or special teams. I helped the special teams, and nobody said anything. That is my point.
“At some point in time, I have to continue to do what I do as a head coach. What you have seen is something that I am very passionate about, which is offensive football. We have not been able to do much in the starting blocks. I want to see if I can help.”
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