BEREA, Ohio _ New Browns general manager John Dorsey voiced support for coach Hue Jackson and ripped former head of football operations Sashi Brown in one fell swoop.
During a radio interview Thursday morning with Browns flagship station WKNR (850-AM), Really Big Show co-host Aaron Goldhammer asked Dorsey how the organization can sell Jackson coming back next season if the team finishes 0-16 this year.
"I'll come straight out with it," Dorsey replied. "The guys who were here before, that system, they didn't get real players.
"As (Hall of Fame coach) Bill Parcells would always say, 'You are your record.' And you know what? There it is, so that's the truth-teller in this thing. And I'm going to do my darnedest to get Hue players. And that's all I can ask for, and that's all I'm going to do. I like the man."
Dorsey also took a shot at one of Brown's biggest free-agent signings _ veteran wide receiver Kenny Britt, who signed in March a four-year, $32.5 million contract, which included $10.5 million guaranteed. Less than 24 hours after the Browns hired him last week, Dorsey cut Britt, who signed with the New England Patriots this week.
"I have no problem making that decision," Dorsey said. "From a cultural standpoint, I don't think (Britt) fits in the prototypical character point of what I'm looking for in terms of a leader. He did not live up to his expectations as a player. He may have a higher opinion of himself than I have of him as a player, so I thought that (decision) was easy."
Jackson said Thursday afternoon during his news conference he appreciated Dorsey defending him, but the coach was careful not to insult his players when asked about the GM's comments on the quality of the roster. Jackson obviously agrees with the assessment because he's said several times this year the Browns aren't good enough to win unless they play a perfect game.
"I'm not going to really get into those particular things," Jackson said as the Browns (0-13) prepared for Sunday's home finale against the Baltimore Ravens (7-6). "John Dorsey has been outstanding. He's football 24-7. I have enjoyed getting to know him more and spending time with him and talking about our football team and what we need to do.
"Obviously, there are some good players in our locker room. The guys work extremely hard. I think John's big focus is to try to get us more guys as we move forward on our football team that can best help us get this turned and become what we can become.
"He's walking up and down these halls preaching, 'Let's win. Let's get to winning as fast as we can.' I appreciate that. He's doing everything he needs to do on his end. We have to continue to keep coaching better and get our guys to play better."
Running back Isaiah Crowell wasn't offended by Dorsey's comments about the players.
"I don't feel like he said anything wrong," Crowell said. "Other people have said it in the past, and I haven't seen a problem with it. But, of course, everybody has their own opinion (about) things, and that's his opinion. I feel like he said the truth."
Middle linebacker Joe Schobert believes Dorsey was sending a message to the locker room.
"It just means your film, your tape is your interview, so you've got to go out, especially the last couple weeks, and play your best football," Schobert said. "It's the NFL. Everybody's auditioning for 32 teams at all times with your film. Obviously, the guys want to be here, want to be on this team. The locker room is good. I don't think there's anything bad happening in the locker room (as a result of Dorsey's remarks). But it just sends the message that everybody's got to work extra hard, got to double down and play their best football."
Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam fired Brown on Dec. 7 and replaced him with Dorsey the same day. The Browns went 1-27 on Brown's watch and passed on quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson in the past two drafts. Now they're 1-28 under Jackson after falling 27-21 in overtime to the Green Bay Packers this past weekend.
The system that Dorsey said didn't produce enough "real players" relies heavily on analytics, which is chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta's area of expertise. So even though Jimmy Haslam said last week DePodesta "will play a key role for us going forward," it remains to be seen whether the former baseball executive of Moneyball fame will be able to co-exist with an old-school, football purist like Dorsey.
Whether the arranged marriage between Dorsey and Jackson can work is another major storyline to follow. Haslam announced last week Jackson would return for the 2018 season. Then the owner doubled down a day later by saying Jackson will be back, even if the Browns go 0-16.
On the radio, Dorsey refused to guarantee Jackson will be the Browns' coach next season.
"I live in the present, and I build for the future," he said. "Right now, the sun's out, the tarps are coming out, we're practicing outside, we're getting ready to play the Baltimore Ravens, and that's my sole focus. And then it's also getting familiar with the whole layout and the organizational structure."
Either way, Dorsey said his objective entering next season will be to win the AFC North.
"Let's be real. We're 0-13, OK?" he said. "So let's get this thing rolling. The only way to do that is to start to build this thing."
