Skip to content

Hue Jackson says Corey Coleman needs to get in shape

Diamond Images / Getty

First-year Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson is starting his tenure with a typical no-nonsense approach.

Known for his blunt style, Jackson did not mince words when asked about the fitness levels of the Browns' incoming rookies, specifically first-round pick Corey Coleman.

"He's got to get in shape,'' Jackson said, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "He's explosive and he can catch the ball. He's extremely talented and gifted. (But) he's one of the guys that has to get in shape. He saw himself, 'Whoa, this is different.' And it is. But we'll get him to where he needs to be.''

The Baylor product is coming into the organization with high expectations. The speedster ran an impressive 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day, but Jackson notes stamina is far more important at the pro level than straight-line speed.

"It's different in the National Football League,'' Jackson said. "Receivers have to be able to run all day long. It's different from the college game. The guy made it through practice and he made some plays and catches and all that stuff. But at the same time, there's a level of what it should it look like for me. So maybe this is a little pleasing of me that he needs to get better from a conditioning standpoint to be able to do it for as long as I know that a receiver has to do it and the way our receivers do it now.''

Jackson admitted to treating Coleman to some friendly ribbing about his fitness level during workouts, unwilling, however, to divulge exactly what he said to the rookie. Still, the message is more about setting the tone for the extremely young group of talent the Browns now have.

"He understands where he needs to be and I'm excited about him," Jackson said. "He gets it. It'd be different if I didn't think a young man gets it, he does. And he knows there's work to do. That's what this is all about."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox