BEREA — Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert finally came clean about the events of his rookie year. He did so Monday, one day after his second season came to an end.
Justin Gilbert
“I missed a whole bunch of meetings last year,” the No. 8 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft said. “I wasn’t saying that then, but that’s exactly what it was. I was a hard sleeper and I wasn’t used to waking up consistently like that early in the morning.”
Gilbert, a 6-foot, 202-pounder from Oklahoma State, was a healthy scratch twice last year and three times this season.
Even when Gilbert was in uniform, he was so far down the depth chart that he played sparingly on defense. In Cleveland’s season finale Sunday, he was on the field for eight snaps — all on special teams — in a 28-12 loss to Pittsburgh at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Surprisingly, Gilbert didn’t blame the coaching staff for his inactivity.
“I think they were still basing stuff off last year, and that’s on me because I was missing like tons of meetings,” said Gilbert, who had four tackles and no interceptions in nine games this season. “I’m not 100 percent sure why I wasn’t out there, other than when I came back from nagging injuries, they liked the guys who were in there, so there weren’t any changes made.”
Cornerback Pierre Desir and converted safety Johnson Bademosi played ahead of Gilbert against the Steelers, which prompted a WEWS-TV 5 sports anchor to claim that he refused to enter the game.
As Gilbert pointed out, he was seeing action on special teams, so the tweet was way off base.
“I guess it’s somebody trying to make a story or a headline or something, but that’s inaccurate,” Gilbert said tartly. “Why would I do that? I was playing on special teams. I don’t know where it came from. That don’t make any sense to me, and I wanted to tell you all that, to clear it up.”
With coach Mike Pettine and general manager Ray Farmer fired, Gilbert recognizes he has the opportunity to start with a clean slate. He plans on making the most of it, claiming that he is in top physical shape after changing his routine last summer.
Gilbert also wants Browns fans to know that he is serious about becoming the player that the team’s former brain trust believed he could be.
“I’ve just really been taking care of my body a little more,” he said. “Stretching more and focusing more on the muscles that I really use every day. I’ve also been eating well and sleeping.
“I can pretty much guarantee that they can get (production) out of me as long as I continue to take care of myself. They’re going to get what they drafted me to do.”
No regrets
Gary Barnidge
Tight end Gary Barnidge signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension Dec. 10, keeping him from hitting the open market.
Though he had a career year under former offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, the 30-year-old movie buff isn’t concerned about fitting in with his successor.
“No, I’m still excited about being in Cleveland,” he said. “I’m looking forward to turning things around and I have confidence we can do that here.”
Barnidge led the Browns with 79 receptions, 1,043 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He joined Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome (1981, ’84) and Kellen Winslow Jr. (2007) as the only Cleveland tight ends in the 1,000-yard club.
“I think everybody else will look back on that, and I’m very appreciative of it,” Barnidge said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully duplicate it next year.”
Gip could split
Tashaun Gipson
Safety Tashaun Gipson admitted that his future with the franchise will be determined by its next coach. The fourth-year pro will become an unrestricted free agent in the spring.
“It is a two-way street,” Gipson said. “These new coaches — if they want me to be here, if they feel like I fit their scheme — does play a part in free agency. Absolutely, you look at it and ask, ‘Is this the type of defense that you want to be in?’
“At the end of the day, I have to do what’s best for me and my career.”
The former Pro Bowl honoree made two interceptions this season, giving him 14 in 50 games. He made the Browns’ roster as an undrafted rookie in 2012.
“Ultimately, if the new coach wants me around here, I think things will get done,” Gipson said. “I do want to be here.”
Still salty
Joe Thomas
Nine-time Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas didn’t back down from his statements of one day earlier, saying he isn’t sure he wants to remain with the Browns.
“I don’t think any of that changes, really, until you put a head coach in place and put a GM here, and you get the direction of the franchise from those guys,” he said.
Thomas also reiterated his displeasure about the firing of Pettine after two years. It marked the fifth head coaching change in nine NFL seasons with Cleveland.
“It doesn’t make you happy when you have to go through another coaching change,” Thomas said. “Coaching changes and organization changes always set you back. Nobody is happy about it and it’s never easy.”
Silent treatment
Armonty Bryant
Linebacker Armonty Bryant, who was inactive for the final two games for disciplinary reasons, declined to speak with the media.
The two-year veteran was arrested during a traffic stop Christmas morning, prompting Pettine to bench him for the remainder of the season.
He was charged with possessing the drug Adderall without a prescription.
“I can’t talk about it,” said Bryant, who had a career-high 5.5 sacks.
Extra points
- The Browns’ non-division home opponents next season are Dallas (4-12), New England (12-4), San Diego (4-12), the New York Giants (6-10) and the New York Jets (10-6). They will travel to Buffalo (8-8), Miami (6-10), Philadelphia (7-9), Tennessee (3-13) and Washington (9-7).
As usual, Cleveland will play home-and-home series with AFC North foes Baltimore (5-11), Cincinnati (12-4) and Pittsburgh (10-6). - The Browns will have the No. 2 and No. 32 picks in the NFL Draft. The latter is the top selection in the second round, but is essentially a first-rounder because New England forfeited its pick.
- Desir was the only Cleveland defender to play all 56 snaps in the season finale against the Steelers. Gipson and linebacker Karlos Dansby logged 54 apiece.
Quote of the day
“I’m not confident about anything, but I’m also not not confident. I am confident that (owner) Jimmy Haslam wants this team to be successful.” — Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins on the future of the franchise
Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDulik
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