Jackson: No contact with QB Manziel

Akron Beacon Journal

The Browns hired Hue Jackson as their head coach two weeks ago, and he still hasn’t talked to quarterback Johnny Manziel.

It’s another sign the organization will likely part with Manziel, the 22nd overall pick in the 2014 draft, at some point.

Jackson revealed his lack of communication with Manziel during interviews Wednesday with Cleveland.com and 92.3 The Fan at Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala.

Meanwhile, Manziel’s off-field behavior has continued to raise eyebrows, especially because he spent more than 10 weeks last year in an inpatient rehabilitation facility specializing in alcohol and drug addiction treatment.

BustedCoverage.com recently published videos and photographs of Manziel, 23, partying Sunday at a bar in Dallas. One photo shows him drinking what appears to be a shot of alcohol.

Jackson was asked by 92.3 The Fan if the videos coming out bother him and whether he thinks he needs to talk to Manziel about it.

“No, I don’t think I need to talk to him,” Jackson said. “One, I haven’t watched it — to be very honest with you. Then, No. 2, it is the offseason, and I would hope that players would do a great job of representing themselves and our organization and our team in a positive light. That’s what we want.

“And if guys don’t, I mean, I think everybody understands and recognizes there’s consequences for everything that you do. But at the same time, I do get it’s the offseason, and I’m not going to look at those things. I’m going to judge him based on what I know, and then we’ll just continue to move forward.”

Shortly after the Browns hired Jackson on Jan. 13, he did a series of radio interviews in which he repeatedly spoke as if the team would move on from Manziel and mentioned the possibility of drafting a quarterback second or 32nd overall in late April.

Browns hire Andrew Berry

The Browns have hired Andrew Berry, formerly with Indianapolis, as their new vice president of player personnel.

Berry spent the past seven seasons with the Colts, overseeing their pro scouting department the past four.

Berry will be Cleveland’s top talent evaluator. He will work alongside Sashi Brown, the team’s football operations director, and new coach Hue Jackson in acquiring players and putting together the team’s draft board.

Like Brown, and new strategy director Paul DePodesta, Berry is a Harvard graduate.

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam have restructured the team’s front office since firing general manager Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine following a 3-13 season.

Berry was a four-year starter at cornerback in college, named All-Ivy League three times.