Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens recognizes the immense talent on the roster, but knows it won’t mean much if the squad doesn’t produce.
The Browns have seriously upgraded their talent on offense this offseason. They signed Kareem Hunt and traded for Odell Beckham Jr. Their offense is loaded. They have ODB, Jarvis Landry, Hunt, Nick Chubb, Duke Johnson, David Njoku and Baker Mayfield under center. However, the head coach is very well aware of the fact they need to go out and get things done. (RELATED: New York Giants Trade Odell Beckham Jr. To The Cleveland Browns)
View this post on Instagram
Kitchens told Albert Breer the following in a Sports Illustrated piece published Monday:
We’re better on paper than we were last year. That doesn’t mean anything other than, we’re better on paper. I mean this from the bottom of my heart—there are a lot of teams out there that have talent, there are a lot of teams out there that have good players individually. There aren’t a lot of teams out there that play together as a team, where it means something to line up with each other. That’s where we’ve got to get to.
This is a very smart stance for Kitchens to take in public, and he should take even a firmer stance in private with the team.
Yes, they’re loaded with talent, but they haven’t done a damn thing yet to justify all the hype. That’s just a fact. (RELATED: Here Are The Best Twitter Reactions To Odell Beckham Jr. Getting Traded To The Browns)
It means nothing until the Browns start racking up wins. That might be hard for some Cleveland fans to hear, but it’s true. Until we see what shows up on the field, the roster doesn’t mean anything other than looking great on paper.
View this post on Instagram
One of the hardest parts about being a coach in a major sport is controlling the egos of all the players involved. The Browns now have a loaded offense, and that won’t be the easiest thing on the planet to control.
What I do know for sure is that Cleveland games in 2019 are going to be required viewing. Whether they win or fail miserably, it’s going to be fascinating to watch unfold.
