Perfectly awful Browns make history
The Cleveland Browns joined the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only teams in NFL history to go 0-16 with another loss on Sunday but owner Jimmy Haslam gave head coach Hue Jackson a vote of confidence after the game.
The Browns lost 28-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a victory literally slipped through their hands in the regular-season finale.
Haslam said after the game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh that new general manager John Dorsey and Jackson are working well together and there is no debate on the coach’s return for the 2018 season.
“I don’t think Hue has lost (his) magic,” Haslam said. “I remember standing approximately here last year and apologizing to our fans for the poor job we had done as owners, and I would just reiterate that again. Our record is unacceptable and we accept full responsibility for that.
“I don’t think that I need to say this ... Hue Jackson will be back as our coach next year in 2018. He and John are already off to a good start together.”
The Browns had a chance late in the fourth quarter to defeat the Steelers. But on fourth-and-2 with 1:46 left, Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman dropped a pass from DeShone Kizer at the Steelers 11 line to end any hopes.
Sunday’s loss leaves Jackson with a 1-31 record in two seasons — the worst start for a coach in NFL history.
The “Perfect Season Parade” is now set for Saturday in downtown Cleveland, according to Cleveland.com.
“This football team has given me everything we have,” Jackson said after the historic loss. “This is just where we are. We’re 0-16. I know about the parade and everything that’s going to be said. But these guys continued every week to go out and fight.
“This is going to stay next to my name and the organization’s name for the rest of our lives. There’s nothing we can do. We’ll turn the page on this and move forward.”
Jackson remains optimistic about the Browns being able to turn things around.
“I don’t think it’s so far that we have to go,” Jackson said. “I think it’s right decisions, having trust in what we’re doing, having people who know how to do it, and this thing will get turned. I truly believe that.
“Jimmy’s message to me hasn’t changed. We’re going to get this thing fixed. That’s what John Dorsey is here for, that’s what I’m here for.”
Jackson was asked why fans should believe next season will be any different when he promised there would be an improvement in 2017 from last season’s 1-15.
“I think his name is John Dorsey,” Jackson said. “The support of Dee and Jimmy Haslam, of seeing where we need to go and head. I think our players, I don’t think this is where they want to be, and I don’t think this is going to be like this.
“Last year I said we wouldn’t be 1-15 again, and we’re 0-16. When I look back at it, we took some players off, put some players on, but we’re still not where we need to be. We have to become smarter NFL football players. We just don’t have enough. We’ll get there.”