Freddie Kitchens on Offensive Line: "I've never said anything about possible changes"
On Wednesday in his press conference, Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens was unwilling to reveal anything about his offensive line outside of the fact that players taking reps at a particular spot are not necessarily indicative of coming changes. He also stated that he's never actually said there would be changes on the offensive line.
Kitchens is right. The talk of changes up front came from two different places. First was a Mary Kay Cabot story on Greg Robinson from the 17th. The second was the press conference with general manager John Dorsey during the bye week, where Dorsey suggested he'd like Greg Robinson to be more consistent, which isn't exactly earth shattering.
It seemed like so much of the attention was on Robinson during Dorsey's presser was due to sheer volume. For example, there were a number of questions about Robinson, likely spurred by Cabot's article and only one question about right tackle Chris Hubbard. Eric Kush, the team's right guard, wasn't brought up at all. Hubbard has been worse than Robinson to this point. Even when he's right in terms of assignment, he's often wrong in terms of the result due to a sheer lack of power at the point of attack.
So it seems as though Kitchens is attempting to diffuse a situation as it pertains specifically to Robinson for a few reasons. First, there's a real chance the Browns roll out the same five guys out there they have been all season against the New England Patriots. There's also a possibility that the Browns could make a change, whether it's this week or in the future, that doesn't involve Robinson. By making this statement, he's largely asserting his right to change things how he sees fit.
Last but certainly not least is the fact that Kitchens is the coach of this team and league sources aren't. So if Kitchens didn't announce the move or make the move, it hasn't happened. That doesn't mean it can't or won't, but until Kitchens makes the move, it hasn't been made.
Two changes that seem a matter of time are Wyatt Teller going to right guard and then Drew Forbes to right tackle. Obviously with Forbes, they have to designate him to return from injured reserve before they can play him. Forbes suffered an unspecified knee injury that had him placed on injured reserve at the end of preseason. That designation hasn't happened yet, but that seems to be where the team wants to go with that spot.
The Browns could certainly plug someone else in at left tackle for Robinson though that seems inconsequential given their options. The speculation is that Justin McCray would be the replacement at left tackle if they make a switch.
Going with Teller and Forbes would be primarily focused on improving the running game, which is almost entirely a product of Nick Chubb and the left side of the line right now. Kush and Hubbard are too often caved in, which has resulted in plays being blown up or bubbled in the backfield, which has been the reason the Browns haven't run the ball as often as they should based on Chubb's talent.
The goal line play calling against the Seattle Seahawks was a pretty clear illustration of the problems up front. It's currently feast or famine as opposed to some smaller gains before breaking a big one. Pass protection is critical when it comes to Mayfield, but the running game is currently the driving force on offense.
The Browns take on the 7-0 Patriots in Foxboro on Sunday. Their hope is the offensive line, regardless of who's playing, delivers a performance that enables them to get a win.
