Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: Who is really to blame for Odell Beckham Jr.’s struggles?

By Matthew McFatridge

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns can't pull in a first half pass prior to going out of bounds next to William Jackson #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 08: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns can't pull in a first half pass prior to going out of bounds next to William Jackson #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 01: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 1, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 01: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on December 1, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

The addition of Odell Beckham Jr. has not created the offensive spark it was supposed to. But who is really to blame for his struggle with consistency with the Cleveland Browns this season?

Euphoria and excitement best describe the reaction of every Cleveland Browns fan when news broke that the team had acquired Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants. After a strong finish to the 2018 season, Beckham teaming up with his college teammate Jarvis Landry and second-year gunslinger Baker Mayfield brought flashes of greatness to the minds of everyone and put them as a playoff favorite for the first time in a very long time.

But reality quickly set in, and for several reasons, the Browns season quickly derailed. Poor coaching decisions, lack of discipline, and the absence of depth in key areas made it hard to overcome some situations in games early in the season. Baker Mayfield struggled early, throwing way too many interceptions that put the team in bad situations. The defense had way too many penalties that extended drives, which inevitably cost them games.

But perhaps the biggest shock has been OBJ’s lack of consistency and ability to help this team when needed this year. Beckham, who averages about 96 catches when he plays all 16 games in a season, is on pace to only get about 70 catches this season in 16 games. That would be less than he got in New York last season, where he only played in 12 games.

So who is to blame for Beckham’s lack of spark this season? Is it the coaching staff and their playcalling or scheme that isn’t allowing Beckham a chance to play to his potential?

Is it related to his nagging injuries that were perhaps mishandled by the medical staff? Or perhaps Beckham himself is to blame for his unwillingness to fully buy into the culture and commit to being a Cleveland Brown.

Let’s take a look into each scenario and see who really is at fault.

Home/Browns News