CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hue Jackson was the quarterback coach when Joe Flacco was a rookie with Baltimore in 2008.

Jackson and Flacco spent two years together. Cam Cameron was the offensive coordinator. At times, Cameron was the bad cop to Flacco, Jackson the good cop.

One of Jackson's gifts is building up the confidence of a quarterback. He did it with Andy Dalton in Cincinnati. He did it with Jason Campbell in Oakland. In two years with Jackson (one as head coach, one as offensive coordinator), Campbell had an 11-7 record as a starter.

I talked to some people in Baltimore and they told me that Jackson had a major impact on helping Flacco adjust from playing at Delaware to being a Day 1 starter as a rookie for the Ravens.

I checked several scouting reports from 2008 when Flacco was in the draft. They all liked his arm strength and size. But all also questioned his ability to play in an NFL offense. In it's "Negatives" section on Flacco, CBS Sports wrote:

"Slow-footed moving around in the pocket and despite running for nine touchdowns, he is not a threat carrying the ball (had success vs. mediocre competition). Lacks the hip snap and lateral agility to sidestep and avoid the pass rush.

"Needs to do a better job of looking off his primary target and scan the field to find other outlets. Operates out of the shotgun mostly, and does not show a good drive back from center to his pass set point. Looks very awkward trying to roll out and throw on the move. Must refine his footwork."

That's where Jackson took over, teaching Flacco the proper footwork. It's not easy for quarterbacks to learn how to take snaps under center and drop back to throw at the NFL level. Jackson taught that to Flacco.

Flacco had the raw ability. One scouting report compared him to Derek Anderson. But it was Jackson and other coaches who helped turn him into a top-flight quarterback. In 2014, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Jackson "did a ton to help Flacco."

ABOUT DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

By far, the most important decision Jackson will make is picking his defensive coordinator. Jackson is a coach who thinks offense and quarterbacks first. At his press conference, I asked him about calling plays. He admitted that "I love calling plays ... but I'm going to do whatever is the right thing for this organization."

If you had to bet, put your money on Jackson calling plays. That's why he needs a strong defensive coordinator. That man will be the head coach of the defense. I was told he wanted to hire Vance Joseph. But the Bengals' defensive backs coach was hired first by new Miami coach Adam Gase.

A familiar name has surfaced -- Ray Horton.

1. Browns fans know Horton, who was defensive coordinator here in 2013. At that point, he was a hot head coaching candidate. Some numbers were good: 18th against the run, ninth overall. But they were No. 29 in the red zone (preventing touchdowns) and allowed more fourth-quarter points than any other team.

2. After that Browns staff was fired, Horton landed as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. The Titans have ranked 23rd and 29th in the last two seasons. They were No. 26 and No. 24 in the red zone.

3. Since the Browns are deep into analytics these days, let's look at Football Outsiders -- one of the pioneers of the subject. They have a formula called "Overall Defensive Efficiency." Horton's defense ranked No. 23 and No. 29. The Browns ranked 29th (2015) and No. 11 (2014).

4. A lot is obviously based on talent. When Horton was in Arizona (2011-12), he had high ranking defenses. I like Horton over former Browns defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil, but I hope Jackson really works hard for the best candidate. The defense was a disaster in 2015.

JACKSON'S PRIORITIES

Jackson has been making the rounds of talk shows, and I was intrigued by what he told Kiley & Carmen on 92.3 FM, The Fan. After quarterback, he listed these three positions as the most important (I'm assuming on offense):

Left tackle. Wide receiver. Running back.

By that list, he'll begin courting Joe Thomas, who has three more years on his contract. After the season, a discouraged Thomas said he may ask for a trade. He is the team's senior member, with the Browns since 2007.

At his press conference, Jackson gushed about Thomas. He explained: "I can't wait to have the opportunity to talk to him, to give him our plan ... I believe in my heart, that he's going to get excited about what we're trying to accomplish."

This could be one of the first interesting roster discussions between Jackson and the new front office. Jackson called Thomas "a tremendous football player." But the analytics might say it's wise to trade a 31-year-old left tackle at his peak for draft picks when you're trying to dig out of the rubble of a 3-13 record.

Jackson also mentioned the need for big wide receivers who can be a deep threat ... amen to that! He also sounded intrigued by running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson.

ABOUT THE BROWNS:

1. Glad to see they retained special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. He has grown with the job, which he has held since 2011. He was able to get Travis Benjamin back on track as a return man. I'd love to see a new kicker.

2. Phil Dawson is a free agent. Yes, I want him back. Dawson was 24-of-27 on field goals, two blocked. He was 3-of-3 from at least 50 yards. In his three years with the 49ers, Dawson was 14-of-18 from at least 50 yards. At the age of 40, Dawson was named the MVP of 49ers this season!

3. Travis Coons made every field goal for the Browns ... except the four that were blocked. And his inability to kick deep (without being blocked) meant the Browns didn't try long field goals. He was 0-of-2 from 50 yards. It's why I prefer Dawson.

4. I will be speaking at Grace Church in Berea on Saturday, Jan. 23. It's a men's breakfast that starts at 7:30 a.m. This will primarily be a faith-based talk.

5. I will be speaking at Stow Library on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. It's free. This will mostly be sports. You can register online or call 330-688-3295.