New Cleveland Coach says Justin Gilbert Has Been “Sensational”

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson, who is entering his first year in The Land, has made it clear that everyone on the roster is starting with a clean slate. And former Oklahoma State standout Justin Gilbert is taking advantage of his fresh start with a new coaching regime this offseason.

“That’s how we’ve approached it since we’ve been back,” Gilbert said of his clean slate to the Akron Beacon Journal. “The coaches have been pretty clear about starting fresh and having a brand new start and not looking in the rearview mirror and just going straight forward from here on out. It feels good.”

And fortunately for Gilbert, who has had some early career issues with staying on the field due to off field concerns, Jackson enters Cleveland with no hard feelings about his past.

“I can’t talk about what’s gone on here in the past with him. I know it’s well-documented, but that’s not the young man that I’ve met since I’ve been here and talked to and have exchanges with,” Jackson said. “He’s been sensational. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do the way we’ve asked him to do it.

“I told him when I first talked to him that ‘your slate’s clean. Whatever has gone on in the past doesn’t matter to me.’ And that’s the way I am with all of our players. None of that matters. It’s the picture you paint now, and he’s doing a tremendous job. He’s very talented, as we all know. He’s done everything right thus far, and I’m very proud of him.”

Hopefully Gilbert, who is going into his third season with the Browns, can parlay his fresh start into a more successful season. The Browns are without No. 1 CB Joe Haden this offseason, where Gilbert has drawn praise from coaches filling in. But when Haden returns, they desperately need more reliable play on the other side. (The reason they drafted Gilbert in the first place). Justin Gilbert’s development at No. 2 can’t come soon enough for the Browns, and fortunately it looks like his past struggles won’t hinder his future in the NFL.