Hue Jackson’s mismanagement ends Joe Thomas’ streak, team’s hopes
The Cleveland Browns organization has seen some bad games in their time since returning as the Browns to Ohio, but one has to wonder just how much longer Hue Jackson and Sashi Brown are going to remain at the helm. Losing in overtime to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the Browns are 0-7 on the season and have just one win in 22 games under the duo. On top of that, the game performances have been so poor that Joe Thomas, a lone bright spot, watched his streak of consecutive snaps (10,363) evaporate after he injured a left triceps muscle and had to leave the game.
What’s up, Jackson?
“You can’t worry about confidence. You guys keep talking about confidence.” Those were Hue Jackson’s opening words at his press conference. Then he said, “We are in the business of winning games.” Will the Hue Jackson that stands on the sidelines please step up to the microphone because I’m not sure we’re getting a clear picture here.
Sure, teams and players don’t have to worry about confidence issues IF – and that is a big IF – they actually are legitimate contenders. Jackson and the Browns decided they wanted to tutor yet another young quarterback and develop his talents while nursing the boo-boos instead of fielding a team, I guess. Honestly, I am not sure how much confidence this team (mainly the players) have in Jackson as coach.
Even teams with very limited talent pools work hard to get wins, but if the Browns organization is pitching the idea that this is a good team, they are selling snake oil. How can we tell? Look at what the emphasis has been, where the focus has been. It hasn’t been on “team”, period.
Everything right now is on the table. How can it not be – H. Jackson
That was maybe his most honest statement this year.
Quarterback shuffle continues
At this point, do you really blame DeShone Kizer for looking like he is confused? After Jackson sang his praises, then claimed to stand by him no matter what, the rookie has been pulled from two games (and sat out one additional game) after struggling. Maybe they shouldn’t have forced Kizer so quickly to the starting quarterback spot? Against the Titans, Kizer got the start but was pulled after throwing two interceptions and leading a drive that only garnered a field goal.
Enter Cody Kessler. Wait, what happened to Kevin Hogan? He’s hurt. So Jackson opted to put in the third-string quarterback in the second quarter to try to get things going on offense, completely turning that revolving door its final rotation. Kessler went ten-of-19 for 121 in the passing game with one interception and no touchdowns.
Kizer was hot early, completing nine-of-11 passes for 67 yards before the wheels fell off but he looked focused and was able to get the ball out quick on effective short throws. So, the difference between Kessler and Kizer was age, a few more yards, and a difference of one on turnovers. Let the shuffle continue because neither one could get the Browns offense into the end zone.
Thomas streak ends
An iron-man in his own rights, Joe Thomas went down during a play and began clutching his left arm in pain after blocking on a rushing play.
https://twitter.com/RPOpod/status/922175315669143558
The result? A torn left triceps that ends his season and was confirmed via MRI. Surgery was confirmed by Thomas.
MRI reveals torn tricep tendon. Surgery soon. Tough break.
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) October 23, 2017
Thomas had seen the lean years in Cleveland and played through torn ligaments in his knees only to watch another failing Browns team put him in a difficult position to begin with. Whether the injury will be the end of Thomas’ 11-year Hall of Fame career is yet to be seen. Spencer Drango relieved him on the field against the Titans. Fans and players across the league have sent well-wishes and it’s too bad that after all the time Thomas has spent being incredible, he had to block for an offense that Jackson has done little to nothing to improve.
Just 2.0% of all active NFL players played every snap in 2016. Joe Thomas played every Cleveland offensive snap for 10 years and 6 games.
— Peter King (@peter_king) October 23, 2017
It’s really been unbelievable what he’s done with his career … I kind of thought for a second that he was unbreakable almost, like nothing could go wrong … To see him go down, you kind of realized he was a mortal among us – LG Joel Bitonio
https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/922181073814962177
