Cleveland Browns: 4 players who need to have more production
By Greg Newland
![Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper runs for yardage after a first quarter catch against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 17-14. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns7](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F17000957-850x560-b4b0354978e3ef2871598237607694e210a3f626723957942dba453c6d5f1cc4.jpg "Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper runs for yardage after a first quarter catch against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 in Cleveland, at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won the game 17-14. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]Browns7")
If the Cleveland Browns really want to have a chance to compete for a Super Bowl, these four players are going to have to step up their game.
The Cleveland Browns find themselves in a fascinating position heading into Week 8 of the NFL season. The team is currently 4-3, yet no one is really jumping for joy. Of their four wins, the best quality was against the Minnesota Vikings who are struggling, but all three losses have been against quality teams.
The biggest question I have as a fan is, will the Browns be able to beat a quality opponent? Not only will we find this out in the upcoming week vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, nearly every game the rest of the way is vs. decent quality.
Enthusiasm for this team has also died because a few “big stars” on this team have continued to disappoint. To be successful in the NFL you need guys to overachieve in order to have a chance to be great, it’s impossible to be successful with a few great players that are underachieving.
Through seven weeks, it’s safe to say the Cleveland Browns have at least four players who aren’t quite living up to production. With the salary cap becoming a concern in the next few seasons, these guys will need to step up, or the team should look for a trade or release if it makes sense.
No. 4 – Jamie Gillan, Punter
Things have been getting better for Cleveland Browns punter, Jamie Gillan, but for the first five weeks of the season, he really struggled. And the all so costly fumble vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in week one is a memory that won’t soon be forgotten.
I hate to look at averages too much because the data can be irrelevant for a punter, especially if he has a lot of kicks downed inside the 20. However, Gillan was hovering just above 40 yards per kick in the first five weeks, and there were plenty of opportunities to boom a few long balls.
I will give him credit, the last two weeks his average has been over 50 yards per kick, and he seems to be getting back in a groove. But if things slip again, the Browns should certainly consider working out a few punters as early as this season.