Browns head coach Hue Jackson learned a lot of lessons during the seven seasons over two stints he spent with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Almost all of those lessons were from positive experiences. They’re a big reason why he got the job in Cleveland.
But there were also some lessons from negative experiences.
And did those latter lessons play a part – perhaps even a big part – in two moves Jackson made recently?
Very possibly so.
The Bengals have had a number of unsavory characters play for them in the last decade and a half. And, more often than not, the team has looked the other way and coddled these bad guys instead of coming down hard on them. Has that – the Bengals being somewhat dysfunctional at times – been one of the reasons that has kept them from doing anything in the playoffs despite having had some outstanding regular seasons?
Fast forward to now with Jackson and the Browns. The team has had almost no tolerance for off-the-field foolishness. In the last week, Jackson has gotten rid of wide receiver Josh Gordon and linebacker Armonty Bryant, both of whom have had more than their share of problems.
Jackson is convinced he’s going to build a winner in Cleveland. He’s said it any number of times.
And he’s not about to go through all the misery that is this 0-4 start – with a lot more of that seemingly awaiting – and then have his eventual success several years from now derailed, or at least watered down, because he has on his roster too many characters, instead of players with characters.
