The Browns knew this year would be a challenge, though they might not have expected an 0-10 start.
Despite that, first-year coach Hue Jackson said Friday he still feels he has the support of ownership, as losses pile up higher than anything besides injuries.
“Jimmy Haslam and Dee Haslam have been outstanding,’' Jackson said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “Obviously, they don’t like to lose, either, but I think they understand the plan and what we’re trying to accomplish.
“I have total faith and confidence in them and the vision that we’ve created. No one wants to be sitting here in the position that we’re in, but they’ve been outstanding to me. They’ve been outstanding in their support of me. I feel very comfortable with where we are – not where we are as far as our record – I feel very comfortable as far as where we are in my relationship with them and how they feel about where we are headed.”
Jackson admitted the losing was wearing on him, but he took some comfort in the support he has received from upstairs.
“I’m having to coach myself up,’' he said. “I am not going to kid any of you about that. I never could have dreamt this ever. This is different, but at the same time, I get it. I’m in it. It’s at my feet. I am not going to run from that. I do understand what the issues are and where we are and where we are going to go, but also, it has been tough.
“I have a good staff who stands behind me. I have an owner who has been unflinching. I have executives in the front office starting with Sashi [Brown], Paul [DePodesta] and AB [Andrew Berry] who have not blinked, and they get it. Are we disappointed for where we are? Yeah, but I think we also understand what we have to do in order to get this changed.”
The first step would be to acquire players, after an offseason spent clearing out and accumulating assets for the future. Given that, Jackson deserves time and support, for being willing to take on such a project.