CLEVELAND -- How did offensive coordinator Todd Haley feel about coach Hue Jackson’s comments about needing to be more involved in the Cleveland Browns’ offense after last Sunday’s 26-23 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida?
That was the question which percolated throughout the media, but Haley diffused the situation in his weekly press conference by saying he was “not at all” bothered by Jackson’s comments because “we are all on the same page” going forward.
“A long time I have been around this league and been around a lot of different personalities,” Haley said at team headquarters in Berea Thursday. “One thing that I will never be is reactionary. I am here for one purpose, and that is to help this offense, continue to grow this offense and continue to develop this offense.
“As I have said a number of times, I do not care where a good idea comes from -- no different than with one of the assistant coaches. Anybody has a good idea, we talk about it, see if it fits and see if it works with the things that we do and the core things that we have worked on since the spring, and good ideas go in.”
Haley chalked up Jackson’s comments to being part of an emotional loss to the Buccaneers, the Browns’ second road setback in overtime this season.
“That is what it sounded like, and we talked about it,” Haley said. “This is an emotional game. It is not for everyone. Coaching in the NFL, especially being in that spot, is not for everyone. It is a high-pressure and high-stressed job. We just have to keep doing what we know is right.”
Although Jackson said Haley would remain the team’s play-caller, he has been in meetings all week as the Browns continue with their preparations for Sunday’s AFC North Division game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
“It has been the same as it has always been,” Haley said. “Like I said, he sits in a number of meetings and everybody gives their idea. When they are good ones, we go with it.”
With the Browns two games behind the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens in the win column and two in back of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the loss column in the AFC North Division standings, Jackson felt something needed to change, especially with another division game on the horizon.
As the debate continued, Haley kept his composure and settled into another week of work as the Browns prepare for a return game against the Steelers at Heinz Field this Sunday. The two teams tied in the 2018 regular-season opener at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on September 9.
“My sole focus is on trying to get this offense to be as good as it can as fast as it can, as fast as I can,” Haley said. “That is all in the rearview mirror. Like I said, everybody is on the same page. Everybody has the same goal in mind. That is to score enough points to win.”
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