Leadoff with Lee 1.14.16: Cleveland #Browns Sign Hue Jackson

By @cleeverizon

It's official! The Cleveland Browns have a new head man on the sidelines, in former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, Hue Jackson.

The former head coach and offensive coordinator becomes the team’s 16th full-time head coach, sixth since 2008 and eighth since 1999. He replaces Mike Pettine, who was fired after going 10-22 in his two seasons.

"What a tremendous honor and privilege to be the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and a part of the Dawg Pound," Jackson said. "I'm so looking forward to it and have so many people to thank. Obviously, (owners) Jimmy and Dee Haslam for this opportunity, going through the process of meeting (executives) Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta. What an exciting time to have an opportunity to work with people like that."Jackson backed out of his scheduled interview with the New York Giants when Haslam called him Wednesday morning and offered him the job. Jackson was supposed to fly to New York and meet with the Giants this morning."If I didn't think we had a chance to do something special here, I wouldn't be here," Jackson said. "There's no question about that."

You ask good questions. I was told Hue made it clear he'd want to move on from Johnny. https://t.co/tkARNfBSyM

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 13, 2016

The Hue Jackson Era in Cleveland will trigger the end of Johnny Manziel and the #Browns. Expect the new coach to move on from the QB.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2016

The hiring of Jackson likely means the end of Johnny Manziel in Cleveland. According to an ESPN source, the topic of Manziel was discussed at length in meetings between Jackson and Browns ownership. In those discussions, Jackson indicated that he would prefer the organization move on from Manziel if he were to become coach, and he was told that would not be a problem."This is what I would say to that. I need to get in this building and have an opportunity to sit down and watch tape," Jackson said. "I don't know Johnny personally. I know who he is, but at the same time, I think I have to give everybody on our football team a fair opportunity to see who they are, to truly learn who they are, and then make decisions from there." 

Johnny Manziel could be released from the browns on Feb. 8, when the NFL waiver period begins.

Jimmy Haslam was pleased to land Jackson after a relatively quick search and also because he apparently was courted by several teams including the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants.

Jackson was so well beloved by Marvin Lewis, he tried to keep him by offering him a path to become the Bengals head coach when he retired. Three Marvin Lewis coordinators in span of two years - Mike Zimmer (Vikings), Jay Gruden (Redskins), and now Hue Jackson (Browns) have now gone on to become head coaches. Both the Redskins and Vikings made the playoffs this year.

During the presser, Haslam said "Let me say this, and I know there's a feeling here, and it's deserved, that this is not a good place to coach, and a lot of it revolves around the owners, but we were pleasantly surprised with the interest in this job, and I think the people recognize the potential that is here in Cleveland," Haslam said. " The Browns are known around the league as having a culture of losing, no franchise quarterback and no stability in the front office.

"This time around, I think we were better organized. Hopefully, the third time's the charm, and I think you learn, hopefully, you learn from previous processes of what you can do better, and I think we'll benefit this time."

The Browns will interview the remaining coaches on the staff to see if they will be a for the team. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has met with the newly-minted Los Angeles Rams and also has been linked to the 49ers. DeFilippo is still under contract with the Browns, but I don't think there is a chance that he'd be held on to it if he made it clear he wants out. Green Bay's offensive line coach Mike Solari name has surfaced if DeFilippo is not retained or goes to another team. Jim Schwartz and Love Smith names have been rumored to become the next defensive coordinator. Defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn has already accepted a role with the New Orleans staff.

- Former Nebraska standout and Rams running back Lawrence Phillips was found dead in prison at the age of 40.

Phillips was 6th pick in 1996 NFL draft. He rushed for 1,453 yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons for the Rams, the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers in 1996, 1997 and 1999. He added 219 receiving yards and one receiving touchdowns.

- Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills have signed 9-time Pro Bowler Ed Reed as assistant defensive backs coach.

- After losing out on the Hue Jackson sweepstakes, the Giants promoted offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo to head coach.

- Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones was hospitalized on after having a bad reaction to K2 aka spice aka synthetic marijuana. The spice is not illegal in the state of Massachusetts. Jones lives near the Foxborough police station and walked there for assistance. Jones was at the Patriots facility at 6:30am the next morning.