The past week, the Cleveland Browns have made what feel like rash decisions with both Joel Bitonio and Corey Coleman, begging the question, what’s the plan here? Is there one?
The Cleveland Browns moving Joel Bitonio to left tackle and trading Corey Coleman for a bag of balls in 2020 might prove to be what’s best for the team in the long run, but how they got there was haphazard, irrational and could’ve been avoided. There’s a lack of direction to these moves that makes the team feel like they’re unsure of what to do and they’re making it up as they go along.
Bitonio to left tackle makes a lot of sense. It makes a lot more sense in February or April, so he has ample time to prepare for it and the newly drafted Austin Corbett could have focused entirely on left guard. Corbett is a tough, smart kid, so moving him around from tackle to guard isn’t likely to prove hurtful to him, but they could’ve simply had him work at left guard immediately, enabling him to be readier to start immediately.
At the same time, Bitonio could’ve been prepared for left tackle, be it body composition or simply getting accustomed to landmarks and getting used to playing in space on an island again. It’s a big difference for a player to think he knows where he’s going and knowing where he’s going confidently. It’s also the difference between immediate contact from a defensive tackle and thinking about when to potentially engage a player in space without overextending.
The Browns play some really tough interior defenders like Geno Atkins, Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt and Brandon Williams just in the division. Moving him around likely didn’t hurt Corbett but maximizing reps to deal with these guys certainly would’ve been beneficial. More reps and prep time would benefit Bitonio.
With Corey Coleman, if the reports of the Browns wanting to move him as early as March are true (they certainly seem to), taking first team reps in August is a massive waste. If he wasn’t moved, Coleman was starting opposite Jarvis Landry until Josh Gordon comes back, whenever that is. Coleman has both on and off field concerns that apparently made John Dorsey want to move him, so why wait? The Browns got nothing in return for him. A seventh-round pick in 2020. They could’ve gotten just as much nothing in March or April or May. It’s August and he’s getting first-team reps.
The day after he’s traded, three different receivers got first-team reps in his stead, suggesting the team really isn’t sure who is the next man up at this point. That’s a couple weeks worth of reps that could’ve been used to help figure this out not utilized.
It doesn’t feel like the Browns have a plan, are putting out fires, rather than understanding where they are and where they want to go. In contrast, the Browns have a firm plan in place with Baker Mayfield. Tyrod Taylor is the starter, Mayfield is focused on developing behind him and the Browns haven’t wavered on this point. That’s a plan. That’s something that looks like it will be very successful for them.
Waiting until August to move what is expected to be the starting left tackle from another position and trading a starting receiver for nothing isn’t a plan. It’s a problem and reflects poorly on both general manager John Dorsey and head coach Hue Jackson. Dorsey was advertised as a ‘football guy’, so this should’ve been something he should’ve been able to these football problems coming
And this goes back to the criticisms Dorsey had coming from the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s regarded as a fantastic talent evaluator – the early returns on his 2018 draft class are very good. Dorsey is also reputed to be someone who doesn’t do well with details, roster management and the minutia of the job. They may well be the right moves for the Browns, but these are unforced errors a team like the Browns really can’t afford.
There are so many good things happening with the Cleveland Browns. Undeniably, more talent is in the building. There are players that the Browns have drafted that look like they can be franchise building blocks and genuine stars.
These missteps can potentially stall progress and the team has more than enough challenges to becoming a contender without needlessly creating their own hurdles to overcome. If only John Dorsey planned out the team as well as he plans out his wardrobe.