The Browns yesterday introduced Hue Jackson as their new coach, and he "heartily embraced the new approach the organization is taking" with analytics, according to a front-page piece by Marla Ridenour of the AKRON BEACON JOURNAL. Jackson said, "I like being cutting edge. ... We want to be innovative and cutting edge in everything we do in this building. Eventually everybody is going to be doing what we’re doing.” Jackson brought up new Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta and Exec VP/Football Operations Sashi Brown before he took a question, saying, "These guys are tremendous. ... I am going to have an opportunity to work with some of the smartest men in football." Jackson added, "Analytics is just a part of it. It’s not the whole thing, but it’s a piece of it. If we can find another way of doing things well to give us an opportunity to have success, we all would do that. There’s not a person in this room who wouldn’t do that.” Brown said, "We’d like to create every possible competitive advantage we can. If that’s from analytics, if those apply, certainly we’ll use those in our decision-making to make sure we put ourselves in the best position to win. Acquiring talent, helping Hue on the field with his coaching, it could be player development, but we will look at that" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 1/14). ESPN CLEVELAND's Pat McManamon noted Jackson "gave four reasons he declined to interview with the Giants" -- Owner Jimmy Haslam III, his wife Dee, Brown and DePodesta. Jackson: "This is about people. You have to feel comfortable where you have the proper support to have a chance to have success. I am more than comfortable with our structure. I am more than comfortable with the people that I'm sitting up here before" (ESPNCLEVELAND.com, 1/13).
CONTROL ROOM: In Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot notes Jackson will "have an opportunity to help pick" the new GM, but Brown "still has final say over the 53-man roster" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/14). USA TODAY's Tom Pelissero wrote in the team's search for a GM, Brown's control over the roster could be "limiting the pool of candidates that will be allowed to interview." Jackson also is "expected to have a significant voice in personnel matters" (USATODAY.com, 1/13). ESPN’s Bill Polian said the Browns hiring Jackson is a "little surprising" because of how the "front office is structured." Polian: "I can’t believe that Hue Jackson, in demand as he was, won’t have control of the 53-man roster" ("NFL Insiders," ESPN, 1/13). But Jackson said, "There’s no egos involved in this. ... We understand that we have to work together arm-in-arm" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 1/14). Jackson: "I think we are going to truly work together. I think it’ll be a team effort, but obviously, they have that responsibility, and I understand that." NFL Network's Willie McGinest: "My only question was if he's going to have a little ... creative control, being able to go in and pick the players that's going to fit his system" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 1/13).
MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: In Cleveland, Tom Reed writes yesterday marked a "happier day" for Haslam than when he cleaned house just 11 days ago, and it was "one of his best since purchasing the team" in '12. The owner "managed something few thought possible even a week ago," as he "got his first choice without the chaos and drama that enveloped his first two coaching searches" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/14). USA TODAY's Pelissero wrote it is an "inspired hire by a franchise in desperate need of inspiration." If the Browns can "clean up everything else that has ailed the franchise -- a process that’s just beginning, again -- they finally have a coach who at least is equipped to be the right one" (USATODAY.com, 1/13).
CLEVELAND ROCKS: In Cleveland, Terry Pluto wrote Jackson at yesterday's presser "delivered one of the best performances in decades" (CLEVELAND.com, 1/13). The BEACON JOURNAL's Ridenour wrote, "The scene was unforgettable, and as far as I know, unprecedented." Haslam walked Jackson to the entrance to the team's HQ, "opened the door and insisted Jackson go inside first." The lobby was "ringed with about 60 employees applauding their new leader." Their faces were "hopeful, their applause not just cursory, but enthusiastic" (OHIO.com, 1/13).
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: SI’s Wertheim & Sommers write when the Browns hired DePodesta last week, the move “triggered more discussion and scrutiny than did the team’s drafting” of QB Johnny Manziel. Wertheim & Sommers: "The question we ought to be asking goes like this: Why aren’t more teams thinking this creatively? Well, for one, conformity feels safer. Stick within the parameters of generally expected behavior, and the consequences of falling short are mitigated. But head off in an uncharted direction and you run the risk of the magnificently memorable disaster." Wertheim & Sommers: "We should applaud the outside-the-box hire, much as we do innovations like the spread offense." Athletes are “forever being told to take chances and think creatively,” yet the decision makers themselves “are in the end, like many of us, strikingly averse to risk” (SI, 1/18 issue).
