Browns' John Dorsey: 'The guys that were here before, they didn't get real players'

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns new GM John Dorsey didn't hold back on his assessment of the previous regime, one that was 1-27 when Sashi Brown was fired last week.

"You know what? You've got to get (Hue Jackson) players,'' Dorsey told the "Really Big Show'' with Aaron Goldhammer on WKNR 850, the radio home of the Browns. "And you know what? I'll come straight out with it. The guys who were here before, that system, they didn't get real players."

It was a strong condemnation of the analytics-based front office, one that didn't have an experienced evaluator on the executive team.

"As 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,'' said Dorsey. "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 refused to guarantee that Jackson will be back in 2018.

"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.''

Dorsey's remarks open up questions about whether or not Browns Chiefs Strategy Office Paul DePodesta will be back. The two watched Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Packers together in the owners' suite.

DePodesta is a pioneer in the field of analytics, and the Browns are moving towards a more traditional approach. The previous regime made 24 draft picks and 17 trades, and it resulted in one victory in two seasons, and the errors of passing on Carson Wentz and Deshaun Watson.

Dorsey, who's spent 26 years as a personnel executive and has been part of 19 playoff teams, has also made it clear that this is his team now, and he's not messing around.

"Let's be real we're 0-13, okay?'' he said. "So let's get this thing rolling. The only way to do that is to start to build this thing.''

Jackson said Thursday that Dorsey has been outstanding.

"He's football 24/7,'' Jackson said. "I've 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 is doing everything he needs to do on his end.''

Browns running back Isaiah Crowell wasn't offended in the slightest by Dorsey's remarks.

"I don't feel like he said anything wrong,'' Crowell said. "I feel like he said the truth.''

Dorsey also praised Jackson on the team's in-house radio show Cleveland Browns Daily on WKNR 850 on Wednesday, saying they speak the same language.

Jackson acknowledged Monday that "it was much different'' reviewing the film with Dorsey, who played for the Packers for four years and then spent 26 years as NFL personnel executive, helping his teams to 19 playoff berths, 11 divisional titles, three conference championships and two Super Bowl wins.

He said the two are "very much'' in sync on football matters and "that's what it's all about.''

Dorsey said he sat in on the team meeting Wednesday.

"I just wanted to listen to Hue and how he went about things, and I'll tell you what -- he does such a marvelous of job trying to just kind of take those guys and express to them the urgency and the concerns,'' said Dorsey. "He basically was saying, 'let's make some plays, guys.' It was very refreshing to see what he had to present to the team today.''

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.