Overreacting is a systematic problem in Cleveland, and when it comes to the perception of the Browns around the NFL.
The team employed a new front office strategy in order to deal with decades of dysfunction; one that is different from just about any other hierarchy in the NFL. As we wrote back in January, it is not Moneyball (please stop calling it Moneyball). As colleague Marc Sessler wrote this week, the organization anticipated massive blowback -- and they have gotten plenty already.
And so here we are, talking to the Browns' new head coach about potentially going winless in his first season. Analysts believe that because the team lost the likes of Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz, very good players, and cut a 34-year-old Karlos Dansby that they cannot be competitive in 2016. Maybe they won't.
Jackson is maintaining a positive attitude.
"That's not the case at all," Jackson said on NFL Network Friday during Cal's pro day workouts. "I know there's been a lot of things going on within our organization. I'm very proud of the direction and the things that we're doing. You know, there's a process and a plan to everything you do and sometimes people don't understand, but I'm OK with that because I know exactly where we're headed and what we're trying to do and what we're trying to accomplish."
"I can't wait until everybody jumps on the bandwagon when things are going good. I know some things will take time, but I'm not built that way to where I'm comfortable with ever losing. And I don't think anybody in our organization is."
The Browns chose Jackson not only because he's a good football coach with a sterling reputation for player relations, but because he has a relentlessly sunny disposition. And in this new hierarchy, he's going to need one. This will not be a Houston Texans-like turnaround because the Browns don't have the best defensive player in the NFL. This won't be a Colts-like turnaround because they don't have Andrew Luck.
Sometimes, teams have to let go of expensive veteran talent because they don't feel the club will be Super Bowl competitive during the remainder of that player's prime years. It's a sad fact of life. And the Browns find themselves in that position thanks to years of cringe-worthy drafting and constant scheme changes that wash valuable talent out of the NFL long before it is time.
Perhaps if the Browns stayed in their spot and landed Khalil Mack in 2014 this would be a different conversation. Maybe if they held tight and nabbed Odell Beckham, Aaron Donald, Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr, Anthony Barr or C.J. Mosley they would have something stronger to build on.
But this new regime did not inherit those players. They just recently cut a first-round draft pick, Johnny Manziel, two years into his rookie deal. This is going to take some time.
