Poll: Do the Browns have a dilemma with receiver Kenny Britt?

Do the Cleveland Browns have a dilemma forming moving forward in regards to how to handle offseason acquisition receiver Kenny Britt?

Coach Hue Jackson was questioned by 92.3 The Fan’s Daryl Ruiter about Britt’s poor performance thus far with the consideration in mind that he was a high-priced free agent signing during the offseason.

“I know your question was about Kenny,” Jackson replied to the performance related inquiry. “We have to play better as an offensive unit, and that is the way I am going to leave it.”

The reporter followed that up by asking whether Britt’s effort was adequate. Jackson deferred again, citing the team’s need to play better and with more effort collectively as an offensive unit.

It’s unsurprising that an NFL head coach wouldn’t appease the media by serving up his player to wolves by validating the criticism that has come his way after another poor showing by the receiver, and another Browns loss.

Here’s a look at one play attributed to suspected “bad effort” by Britt.

Was the poster correct in saying both Britt or Sammie Coates were loafing on the above play?

Former Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins weighed in, providing some insight in defense of both Britt and Coates on the alleged “loaf” play.

The truth, judging from the results of the team’s passing game, is probably somewhere in the middle. Britt finished with one catch for two yards on two targets. Britt also had an offensive pass interference called on him, and he debatably showed poor effort on the route displayed above, unless you subscribe to Hawkins’ analysis of the play — which you should probably consider, because he played the position and knows the concepts better than most.

Coates finished with no catches. He did have one deep ball sail over his head on a fly route in the third quarter. It appeared he paused or hesitated before looking back at the line of scrimmage. Was that a loaf? Or was it that Coates is still adapting to his quarterback and figuring out a new play book? To me, it appeared like he quit on the route until he looked back and saw the ball in the air, but it’s possible I’m wrong. As a new player, Coates deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Britt, a veteran receiver who signed a nicely-sized contract to come to Cleveland, does not. That is, if you think he was loafing or giving less than ideal effort in Baltimore, or even against Pittsburgh last week.

That said, do you think the Browns have a situation where they need to consider making a change to their receiver rotation? With Corey Coleman out indefinitely with a broken hand, that decision becomes much more difficult. Week 2 inactive Kasen Williams should factor into the equation with Coleman out, but it’s hard to imagine Britt being phased out in any way in the interim.

Let’s hear what you have to say on the issue, or non-issue. You tell us.