Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield's H.S. coach is going to bat for his ex-QB after the Browns superstar torched Hue Jackson ... saying Baker was just doing what he thought was best for his team.

Of course ... Mayfield's been met with a lot of critics after he went scorched earth on his former head coach THREE separate times, accusing Hue of being "fake" for joining the Bengals.

Hank Carter -- Baker's old coach at Lake Travis H.S. in Texas -- tells TMZ Sports Mayfield's comments were just his way of standing up for his Cleveland teammates.

"Baker loves his team and loves that coaching staff there and they believe in one another, and I think that's what it is -- it's showing support for the Browns is what he was trying to do."

Guys like Jim Brown and Deion Sanders have disagreed with Baker's response to the whole feud ... but Hank says they've just got to get used to Mayfield's straight-shooting approach.

"Different people maybe don't like how that's come out but, yeah, Baker's never really worried about that. He's trying to do what's best for his football team."

Bottom line ... if Baker didn't think Hue hurt his football team, the beef would've never gone down.

Baker Mayfield didn't regret torching Hue Jackson after Sunday's game ... he didn't regret doing it again on Monday ... and he DEFINITELY didn't regret doing it a third time Wednesday.

The QB has been SUPER pissed since his ex-coach bolted for the Bengals -- refusing to hug the guy after their game Sunday and then blasting him as "fake" on social media a day later.

Baker was given a chance to walk back his comments Wednesday ... but dude TRIPLED DOWN on his Hue hate, saying, "I get to have my own opinion on how it transpired and he gets to do what he wants. That's how it is."

"I didn't like the move and people don't have to care. I'm not looking for anybody's approval. I don't regret any of it."

Of course ... Mayfield's issue is that Hue preached team and unity throughout his stay as Browns coach -- but then took the first opening available with the team's division rival just days later.

Some, like Cleveland legend Jim Brown, refuse to blame the guy for making the move ... but Baker's still clearly ticked about it.

And ... if you're upset about Baker's hot take -- the QB had a message for you, too, on Wednesday.

"I'm not a cookie-cutter quarterback. I never have been, I never will be. I speak my mind, that's just how I am."

Jim Brown is going to bat for Hue Jackson ... telling TMZ Sports the bitterness toward Cleveland's ex-head coach needs to end.

Of course, Hue took only a few days to join up with the Browns' rivals -- the Bengals -- after he got canned in Cleveland ... and dudes like Baker Mayfield were REALLY upset about it.

But, Jim tells us the QB and others shouldn't be ... saying Hue made "a good move."

"No bitterness with him. He's got a job right away. It tells you that he had a value. But, it didn't work out with him and the Browns. That's it."

As for Baker's snub of the coach after Cleveland beat Cincinnati on Sunday ... Jim sees no controversy there, saying Mayfield just got caught up in the moment of competition.

"When you're getting ready for a game, you're getting ready for a game. You're not trying to make friends."

As for the Browns themselves ... Jim can see a playoff game in their future this season -- IF they do just one unlikely thing.

The Browns are 4-6-1 and sitting at the bottom of the AFC North -- but they're definitely NOT mathematically eliminated ... only 3 games out of 1st place.

They've got 5 games left -- facing the Texans, Panthers, Bengals, Broncos and Ravens.

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly mulling over interviewing George W. Bush's former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, for a head coaching job ... but she says she's not quite there yet.

ESPN reported Sunday that the Browns' front office was interested in possibly bringing Condi for an interview to replace recently-fired head coach Hue Jackson. She's a huge Browns fan, and met with some of the owners during a game earlier this year.

Aside from that though ... it's unclear what, if any, professional experience she'd bring to the table ... when it comes to football, that is. She's got a pretty decent resume, otherwise.

The Browns' general manager, John Dorsey, issued a statement shortly after the news spread like wildfire, saying in part ... "Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a great leader, possesses the highest possible character and also happens to be a Browns fan."

He fully shot down the speculation, though, by adding ... "Our coaching search will be thorough and deliberate, but we are still in the process of composing the list of candidates and Secretary Rice has not been discussed."

As for Ms. Rice ... she offered her own statement on the rumor, saying "I love my Browns -- and I know they will hire an experienced coach to take us to the next level."

After going on to advocate for the hiring of more women in coaching positions, she seemed to shut down the notion of a head coaching gig by saying ... "BTW -- I'm not ready to coach but I would like to call a play or two next season if the Browns need ideas! And at no time will I call for a "prevent defense."

The Cleveland Browns haven't sniffed the playoffs since 2002, but that drought could end THIS YEAR ... so says Rashard "Hollywood" Higgins, who believes his team is destined for the postseason.

Baker Mayfield and the Browns are currently dead last in the AFC North with a 3-6-1 record ... and just fired head coach Hue Jackson 3 weeks ago.

But, Hollywood says the players are uniting behind interim coach Gregg Williams ... and if they keep up the momentum from their blowout win against the Falcons last week, they're destined to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Higgins -- who caught a TD in that huge Browns win last week -- has a message for people doubting his claim.

Baker Mayfield is hot ... Sam Darnold is not ... that's according to a future Hall of Famer who says the Browns nailed the #1 pick by drafting Mayfield, and punting on big Sam.

The man destined to end up in Canton is Browns legend Joe Thomas -- an all-world OL star for 11 seasons -- who made 10 Pro Bowls and 1st team All-Pro 6 times.

Yeah ... guy was amazing.

So, should the Browns have taken Darnold -- widely regarded as the best QB prospect -- or did they grab the right guy drafting Baker with the 1st pick?

"They absolutely did. I think for Sam, if he wouldn't had that really good game on national TV against the Lions early on in the season, people would be talking about him being a bust, because he really hasn't played well since then."

In other words, Thomas really believes the Browns have FINALLY found their franchise QB (he blocked for an incredible 21 signal callers during his career in Cleveland).

"For me, the future is really bright. Baker is playing really well and he's already exceeding my expectations."

It's been a roller coaster ride of a season for the 3-6-1 Browns (they recently fired head coach Hue Jackson) ... but still, Joe's feelin' super optimistic -- especially with the way B.M. lit it up on Sunday.

Hue Jackson deserved to be canned after two-plus seasons of losing AND looking like crap against the Steelers on Sunday ... so says Browns legend Earnest Byner.

It's nothing against Hue personally -- E.B. tells us the coach couldn't have been a nicer dude and even let him intern with the team recently -- but Byner says it was just time for him to go.

"I didn't like how that team looked," Earnest says ... "You'd have to say this firing has been earned."

Of course, lots of people in Cleveland would agree ... Hue was 3-36-1 since taking over the head coaching reigns back in 2016.

But, Byner's questioning how the Browns' brass even allowed Hue to make it into the start of THIS season.

"You wonder what was the process of what made them bring Hue back, especially after going through so much losing."

Another head coach just got the axe in Cleveland -- Hue Jackson has been fired by the Browns after the team racked up its 5th loss of the season.

The 53-year-old has been the head coach of the Browns since 2016 -- but they've been historically TERRIBLE ever since he took over ... 3-36-1 over the last 3 seasons.

Of course, the team went 0-16 last year but had expected big things after bringing on studs like Baker Mayfield, Jarvis Landry and others this season.

But, it ain't working out -- the Browns are 2-5-1 this season and things look bad.

Now, Jackson is out (as first reported by Adam Schefter) ... and the Browns are once again a team in dismay.

Bad Fun Fact -- when it comes to career winning percentage, Jackson ranks 218th out of 219 coaches in NFL history who've coached at least 40 games in their career.

Not good.

Cleveland Browns wideout Antonio Callaway had some trouble before he took on the Chargers last week -- dude got busted for speeding hours before the game ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Police records show the 21-year-old was caught going 58 mph in a 35 mph around 7:30 AM in his 2018 Jaguar F-PACE SUV in Strongsville, Ohio.

Don't worry -- wasn't a big deal (like his last police stop) ... he was merely cited and sent on his way.

Callaway and the Browns took on the Chargers a few hours later -- but Antonio didn't exactly have a great game ... only catching 2 passes for 9 yards. The Browns lost 38-14.

Back in August, Callaway was pulled over for a routine traffic violation but things went sideways quickly when the officer found marijuana, gun parts and bullets in Antonio's car.

Callaway was cited for possession of marijuana and driving on a suspended license. He pled not guilty. That case is ongoing.

The Dawg Pound turned into the D.O. DOUBLE G. Pound on Wednesday ... 'cause Snoop Dogg was in attendance to watch Baker Mayfield and Co. at Cleveland Browns practice!!

Just one tiny issue here -- Snoop is a MASSIVE Pittsburgh Steelers fan ... and the Steelers have a rivalry with the Browns that goes back decades.

But, It didn't seem awkward when the rap legend hit up Browns practice in Berea ... dappin' up all the players and coaches as the team preps for the L.A. Chargers this weekend.

So ... is Snoop trading in his Black & Gold for the Orange & Brown?? Head coach Hue Jackson says he's been friends with the Doggfather for a while ... and took a friendly jab at him for being MIA for the past 2 years.

Hey, it's been a while since the Browns have had even a sliver of success. Let them have their clout.

It was just a matter of time, but the NFL has finally suspended Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks for his role in an insider trading case.

Kendricks has already confessed and pled guilty to insider trading in a scheme, where he made more than $1.2 MILLION by plying a Goldman Sachs analyst with perks like cash and NFL tickets in exchange for private information.

Kendricks was cut by the Cleveland Browns after they found out about the charges during the NFL preseason -- but he was picked up the Seahawks shortly after ... knowing the league would probably suspend him.

In the 3 games he played in this season, Kendricks did well ... racking up 13 solo tackles and 2 sacks.

Now, the league has suspended him indefinitely while Kendricks waits for the sentencing phase (which is scheduled for January).

Jim Brown is happily enjoying his crow today ... 'cause the Browns legend tells TMZ Sports he was so wrong about Baker Mayfield -- he actually thinks Cleveland's got a shot at the playoffs now!!

You'll remember ... Jim was one of the least pleased people in Cleveland when his ex-squad chose Baker over Saquon Barkley with the top pick in the NFL draft.

But, after watching Baker's 21-17 comeback performance against the Jets last week ... he's all in on the selection now ... even apologizing to John Dorsey and co.!!!

"They didn't go with what everybody said, including myself," Jim tells us.

"They went with what they thought was correct, and I really appreciate being able to say to them, 'I guess you were right.'"

In a shocking move to absolutely zero people, Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson has finally given the keys to his offense to Baker Mayfield ... officially.

"I informed the group this morning that we're going to start Baker Mayfield and Tyrod will be the backup if healthy," Hue told reporters at his morning press conference.

"He's earned it, by the way he's played," Jackson noted.

"Now the other added pressure of being out there first is there. But I think he can handle it. He's demonstrated that."

Tyrod Taylor will be the backup ... once he's medically cleared to return to action after the apparent concussion he suffered on Thursday night.

Mayfield absolutely tore up the NY Jets during his NFL debut -- filling in for Taylor with 2 minutes left in the 2nd half. He led the Browns to a come-from-behind victory with more than 200 passing yards ... and even caught a 2-point conversion.

Next up ... Oakland.

Baker Mayfield's gonna have to wait until NEXT WEEK before he officially becomes the starting QB for the Browns -- which begs the question, WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?!

Cleveland's head coach, Hue Jackson, says he needs the weekend to process everything and won't touch the depth chart until AT LEAST Monday

"I've given the players the weekend off obviously, so I'm going to take my time because I have some time," Jackson told reporters Friday.

"And, I'm going to get an opportunity to meet with them here Monday morning and kind of go from there."

Some say Hue's just being respectful to Tyrod Taylor -- who was the 1st-string guy until he was knocked out of Thursday's game with a possible concussion.

Baker came in with 2 minutes left in the 1st half and LIT IT UP -- going 17-23 for 201 yards in a wild 21-17 come from behind thriller.

"I wanted to really watch tape and talk to the staff and talk to John [Dorsey] and then make a decision from there," Jackson says.

This is AWESOME!!!

Baker Mayfield's high school football coach, Hank Carter, tells TMZ Sports he couldn't be more proud of his former QB ... and tells Cleveland to strap in, it's gonna be one helluva ride!!!

Baker played for Hank at Lake Travis High School in Texas -- where the QB led the Cavaliers to the 4A state title in 2011. Dude racked up 6,255 yards and 67 TDs during his HS career.

So, we had to ask Coach Carter how he felt about Baker's insane NFL debut -- and guess what, HE WAS FIRED UP!!!

"It's fantastic! I'm so proud of that guy!"

Coach Carter says Baker's been loaded with potential for years -- and he's "not surprised" the guy is having success at the top level.

In fact, Carter says there's one thing Browns fans need to keep in mind -- this is just the beginning!

"No one will outwork that dude. That's the thing [the fans] gotta understand. He will not be satisfied with the success they had last night."

Congrats!

Shirtless J.R. Smith made his return Thursday night ... and we all have Baker Mayfield to thank for it -- 'cause the Cavs star WENT CRAZY after the rookie led the Browns to a win!!!

It all went down at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland ... where J.R. had luxury box seats to see the Baker-led Browns finally win a game for the first time since 2016.

You'll remember ... the last time J.R. celebrated a massive Cleveland victory -- he went topless in public for hours ... rockin' no shirt for the entire Cavs' championship parade.

Well ... about midway through the second half of the Browns-Jets game -- J.R. promised to make another shirtless appearance if they pulled out the comeback.

And then Baker did it -- AND OFF WENT THE SHIRT!!

"It's over! Let's go! Let's go!" a topless J.R. screamed after the win. "We outchya! No shirt shorty! We out here!"