Rumors of clashing egos within the Browns’ coaching staff have been swirling ever since HBO cameras picked up some internal disagreements on Hard Knocks, and coach Hue Jackson recently added fuel to the fire. After a pair of disappointing Browns losses, Jackson hinted he was going to take back more control of the offense, seemingly taking shots at offensive coordinator Todd Haley in the process.
But Haley is pushing back on reports of a feud, saying he and Jackson are on the “same page”, according to Pat McManamon of ESPN. It’s highly possible, if not likely, that Haley is just saying that to the media and that there actually is bad blood behind the scenes. Haley and Jackson have never seemed like a perfect match for the Browns, and tensions are high with everyone’s jobs in danger. Jackson is backing off his initial comments and expressing more confidence in Haley, McManamon writes, but it will still be something to monitor going forward, and firings could be imminent.
Here’s more from around the league:
- In addition to working out former Raiders second round pick Obi Melifonwu today, the Patriots also had a pair of other players in for tryouts. They had “TE Ben Koyack (Notre Dame), S Dexter McCoil (Tulsa) in for free-agent workouts today”, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN (Twitter link). Koyack has been with the Jaguars the past few years, and caught the game winning touchdown in Jacksonville’s first playoff game last year.
- Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks has been suspended indefinitely by the league, and while he’s working to negotiate an agreement with the league office, there’s still no word on when he’ll be able to return. Coach Peter Carroll “says he has been in communication” with the league and while there’s been no “definitive word” they’re “hoping for more clarity early next week”, according to Bob Condotta of The Athletic (Twitter link). Kendricks was suspended due to being charged with insider trading, which led to his release from the Browns earlier this year.
- Damon Harrison was traded from the Giants to the Lions earlier this week, and now we have more details on the trade. It was reported that Harrison was traded for a fifth round pick, but that pick is apparently conditional, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (Twitter link). Balzer doesn’t state what the conditions are, but it’s fair to assume they’re related to snaps or games played.
You have to be f*cking kidding me that Harrison’s return draft pick is a conditional. That’s unbelievable, Gettlemen
I guess he didn’t want to risk a dealbreaker by asking for Ginsu knives and a Snuggie.
Only in Cleveland would you find two coaches arguing over whose turn it is to navigate the Titanic.
Geez, you never quit, do you?
resembles the broncos ownership
Jackson’s gotta go…hand the job to Haley
You must be a Haley relative. BOTH of them are terrible. You must’ve missed all of the 4&1 play calling from Haley vs Jacksonville last year. Not mention all the times Steelers started near midfield and he called 3 running plays. TERRIBLE
Haley > Hue but I’d be scared to hand it over to Todd. They may win a few and convince Dorsey to keep him. They need a new coaching staff.
Haley doesn’t need to be the OC if he becomes the HC. Just think he has a better leadership quality/ holding ppl accountable quality then Jackson. With a talented young team on the rise, just need more a more structured environment. Dorsey brought Haley over for a reason, likely to take over.
Haley would get another OC job before Jackson ever got another HC job. Simply said Jackson isn’t qualified for the job he has.
Jackson would get a OC job before Haley
Disagree. Haley has had much more capable offenses than Jackson ever has. Even though the playcalling has been questionable this year for the browns, it was nothing like last year’s complete disastrous playcalling.
If you’re on the same page as a HC with a 2-35-1 record (around there), you suck.
The article said they were both on the same page but it didn’t say either of them were capable of reading. They are probably working with some pop up picture book.
Can’t wait until Jackson is fired. Other than the record (which is more than enough for a fireable offense), Jackson takes no blame for anything, creates controversy and worst of all, throws his guys under the bus whenever he can (coaching staff, players, etc )
I find some of the offensive play calling questionable and that goes for their 2-minute drill. This would fall under Haley.