A letter to Hue Jackson

DEAR BROWNS HEAD COACH HUE JACKSON: …

An open letter to Brows head coach Hue Jackson as his team gets ready to host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the regular-season opener on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium:

Just sit down and shut up.

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Yes, you heard that right, Hue. I’ll repeat it: Just sit down and shut up for this game.

I love ya, Hue. I really do. You’re a really nice guy who answers all the media’s questions fairly and honestly. You never get ticked off no matter how stupid – or prying – the questions are. And to be sure, all of them are prying (that’s the kind of questions reporters are supposed to ask), and some of them are just downright ignorant.

You deserve an award for that.

For these reasons, I want to see you succeed. I really do. But you won’t if you fail to shut up.

You are hanging by a thread in terms of job security, my friend. In no other business would a guy do so poorly with the bottom line – 1-31 over two years, including 0-16 in 2007 — and still hold on to his job. You have no room for error. You have to win in the early part of this season or else you will be fired, and if you can beat Pittsburgh, that might count for two wins.

Todd Haley, who would be promoted to head coach if you get canned, was brought in as offensive coordinator so that you can concentrate on being the CEO of the team – the head coach. Stan back – let Haley call the plays and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coach his guys – and don’t butt in unless absolutely necessary. And I don’t think it will be necessary. Williams and Haley are great coordinators. They don’t need any help at all from you.

Less is more – a lot more, really,

By doing nothing – except, of course, what a head coach should be doing, and that is to oversee the entire team – you’ll be doing something really beneficial for yourself and the Browns. You’ll be giving your team its best chance to win.

So – please — check your ego at the door.

Please.

I’m begging you.

Just sit down and shut up.

And do it very well.

Sincerely,
Steve King