Cleveland Browns: 5 reasons to pump the brakes on expectations

The defensive secondary is thinner than you think

The Browns secondary is not very deep. Denzel Ward plays at a Pro Bowl level but isn’t always available. Greedy Williams’ injury history gives hope for full recovery, but it is not a sure thing. It should not be taken for granted. Similarly, we have reason to be very hopeful for Grant Delpit to come back, but there should not be a timetable.

By the way, these internet critics who heap scorn on athletes for not coming back fast enough from serious injuries are beyond contempt. We don’t know if these athletes are going to make it back all the way and we don’t know how it will take them to reach their new maximum performance level. If Delpit ran 4.4 before, does he still run 4.4 today?

Does Williams have full use of both arms? I have no idea. But I’m not going to boo if these athletes are not able to fully recover. It’s not any different than if you or I are in a car wreck that limits us for the rest of our life. How would it be if all of your friends booed you for walking with a limp from being in a car wreck?

That said, they are on the roster, and we will find out more about them when the bell rings.

Greg Newsome II is only 21 years old and may not be ready to have his best year in 2021. Put it this way, if a cornerback stars in the NFL at such an early age, it is the exception, not the rule. The same can be said about Jeremiah Owusu Koramoah.

They should not be faulted for being 21 years old, but fan expectations for 21-year-olds are out of proportion to what 21-year-olds can normally do. If they are average players, or situational players the first year, that is pretty good. They will be pretty good by 2023, but let’s not go crazy on them this season.

It’s not a question of the talent level, it’s a question of availability and depth.