BEREA: Browns second-year cornerback Justin Gilbert denied a report on Twitter on Sunday that he told coaches he wouldn’t go into the season finale at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lauren Brill of WEWS (Channel 5) tweeted that Sunday night, citing a Browns team source, in a string that also included comments about Johnny Manziel, Charles Gaines and Joe Haden.
“I don’t know where it came from,” Gilbert said Monday as players cleaned out their lockers following a 3-13 season. “When somebody asked me about it, I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ I guess it’s somebody trying to make a story or a headline or something, but that’s inaccurate.
“I was in the game and I was playing special teams. I just wasn’t on defense. Pierre [Desir] and Baddy [Johnson Bademosi] were ahead of me at the time.”
The eighth overall pick in 2014, Gilbert is one of four first-round draft picks in two years who have failed to justify that status, contributing to Sunday’s firings of General Manager Ray Farmer and coach Mike Pettine.
“[It] didn’t work out this season, and one [reason] was because of injuries,” Gilbert said of his performance. “Because when I was healthy, I was about to start.”
Gilbert was inactive for seven games in 2015. Three of those were healthy scratches, the other four because of a concussion and hip flexor injury. Coaches said they wanted to see more drive from Gilbert.
“I think they’re still basing stuff off last year, when I was missing like tons of meetings,” Gilbert said. Gilbert said there was nothing more to those absences than the fact that he’s a “hard sleeper.”
“I wasn’t used to waking up consistently like that early in the morning,” he said. Now taking care of his body and eating right, Gilbert said he’s a different person when it comes to being a professional.
“Oh, yeah, most definitely. I’ve been down that road and definitely not going back,” Gilbert said. “I can pretty much guarantee that as long as I continue to take care of my body the way I’ve been, they’re going to get what they drafted me to do.”
Asked if he still believes he has the talent to justify being a top 10 draft pick, Gilbert said, “That’s not going away, yeah.”
Gipson passionate
Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson is slated to be an unrestricted free agent, but the 2014 Pro Bowler wants to remain in Cleveland despite the changes.
“It’s a two-way street. These new coaches, if they want me to be here, if they feel like I fit their scheme and does this play a part in free agency? Absolutely,” Gipson said. “You look at it and say, ‘Is this the type of defense that you want to be in?’
“At the end of the day, I do have to do what’s best for me and my career. Ultimately, if the coach wants me around here, I think things will get done. I’m just excited to get through the season healthy.”
If he returns, Gipson would be playing for his fourth coach in five years. Asked why he wants to endure that, he said, “Because from the pits of my soul I truly believe that Cleveland can and will change this thing around. When, I don’t know. Maybe in my 10th year, maybe next year, I don’t know.
“I truly love the city and I want to be a part of it when we go from worst to first. It’s not impossible, if you look at the Kansas City Chiefs before they started this run. Two years ago, three years ago they were one of the worst teams in football. We even beat ’em. Now they’re vying for playoffs spots and a true Super Bowl contender.”
Shelton flexible
Browns rookie nose tackle Danny Shelton didn’t seem concerned that the next coach may want to switch from Pettine’s 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme.
“Really, I don’t care,” Shelton said. “I’ll play any position on the field. All that matters is my teammates are able to connect with these coaches and we have a great team atmosphere.”
No regrets
Despite Pettine’s and Farmer’s departures, tight end Gary Barnidge has no regrets about signing a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension in December.
“Not at all. I’m glad to be here in Cleveland,” Barnidge said. “I want to be here when we turn this thing around and I still believe we can.”
In his breakout year, Barnidge finished with nine touchdowns, tying Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome’s 1979 total for the most in a season by a Browns tight end.
Asked if he wanted one more TD, Barnidge said, “It would have been nice, but I had no problem with it. Again, I would have traded all those for wins.”
With 1,043 receiving yards, Barnidge joined Kellen Winslow Jr. (2007) and Newsome (1981, ’84) as the only Browns tight ends to reach the 1,000-yard mark.
“I’m very appreciative of that,” Barnidge said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully duplicate it next year.”
Thomas stands firm
Browns left tackle Joe Thomas didn’t retract what he said Sunday that he might ask to be traded if he’s not happy with the Browns’ next coaching hire.
Nearly sent to the Denver Broncos at last season’s deadline, Thomas has three years remaining on a seven-year, $80.5 million contract that includes $28.5 million guaranteed.
“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 kind of the direction of the franchise from those guys,” Thomas said.
Thomas may also be wondering about owner Jimmy Haslam’s plan.
“I do think that the more Mr. Haslam is around as an owner, the more he’ll learn,” Thomas said. “He’s obviously an extremely bright person who wants to get it right and who’s been doing a lot of studying of other organizations that have had success and trying to figure out what’s going to work for the Cleveland Browns. The more experience he gets as an owner, the better we’ll be.”
Second-year left guard Joel Bitonio understands Thomas’s frustration.
“He’s been through so many different offenses, so many different things. I understand where the stress is at,” Bitonio said. “I understand where his mind is at.
“I respect his decision. He’s been to nine Pro Bowls. He’s going to do what’s right for him and his family. I have no idea what that is, so we’ll see how that goes. But I think it’s something you kind of get frustrated with over time.”
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.