To say that the Cleveland Browns 2014 draft class has been a downright disaster would likely be the understatement of the year.
We know all about Johnny Manziel’s off-field issues and the fact that he’s currently residing in an alcohol rehabilitation facility. However, fellow first-round pick Justin Gilbert has also had his fair share of issues since joining the NFL last year.
Suspended for the final game of the regular season for violating team rules, Gilbert has been subject to criticism from fellow teammates and others within the Browns organization.
Now comes this rather alarming piece of information from Browns head coach Mike Pettine himself (via Cleveland.com).
It’s more than that,” Pettine said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine after being asked about Gilbert’s lack of maturity. “I don’t want to get into it. It’s very personal, and I’m not going to get into details about it.
It would be foolish for us to speculate about Gilbert’s personal issues, but Pettine did go on to say that the young cornerback violated team rules multiple times prior to being suspended for the final game of the year against the Baltimore Ravens.
On the field, Gilbert was a complete mess as a rookie. Even as the eighth pick in the draft, he was unable to beat out Buster Skrine for the starting job opposite Joe Haden. The Oklahoma State product recorded eight passes defended and an interception in 14 games (two starts).
In addition to the issues with their two rookies from a season ago, the Browns are going to be without star wide receiver Josh Gordon for the entire 2015 campaign after he violated the league’s substance abuse policy once again.
Needless to say, things just aren’t going too swimmingly for the Browns as they prepare for an offseason that might be among the most important in recent franchise history. Instead of adding more drama to the mix, let’s hope Gilbert’s personal issues are resolved at some point soon.
Photo: Associated Press