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BEREA, Ohio – Freddie Kitchens put his arm around Duke Johnson on Tuesday and had a conversation with him. The kitchens did not care much about what he said to the prodigal rider who finally returned. He said that he just likes to cuddle.
"I coached Duke last year. I know the duke; Duke knows me, "said Kitchens. "No, it was nothing more than" How are you? "I have not seen him for five or six months."
All this is more than just returning home. Johnson spoke for the first time on Tuesday since his trade request was reported. He did not say that he did not want to be here, but he also said that if he did not want it, it was time to move on.
"I think it's best to find a common ground and do what is best for the team," he said. "You do not have to keep me or force me to be here if you do not want me here. I always wanted to be here, and I was very clear, especially after scoring 1-15, then 0-16 and signing back here. I have clearly stated my intentions. "
Baker Mayfield, Johnson's quarterback, called any distractions for Johnson self-inflicting, and Kitchens still looked like a man who expected to have Johnson close to him.
It's easy to write Johnson at this point, to say that if he does not want to be here, send him somewhere else. No offensive coach or coordinator has been able to decipher the Duke code, and the withdrawal position is as replaceable as any other player on the field. Even separating him from the wide receiver is less necessary with additions to the receiver and Kareem Hunt joining the team after eight games.
Johnson is however a talent and general manager John Dorsey has repeatedly said that he can not have enough talented football players. The kitchens said today that there was a package in place for Johnson.
Here's the bottom line: good teams and good coaches find ways to use the right players. If the coaching staff and the Browns front office can handle this situation, there will come a time when Johnson will be able to create an imbalance or problem for a defense that could help the Browns win a match. It could happen in October. It could happen in January. This is why it is so difficult to refuse the talents, even if the situation is not always perfect.
There is a ceiling to what Johnson will be with the Browns. He will never get used to it as much as some fans want or as much as some coaches promise. He will probably never live up to his winless performance this year 2017 when he has accumulated more than 1,000 multi-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns. He was a bright spot in a dark season and he got a new contract from a new scheme.
Johnson must also keep his promise if an exchange does not happen.
"He has to do his job," said Mayfield. "He said that he's a professional. I hope he's doing his job. "
This job will be different now that Nick Chubb is established and Hunt arrives. It will be different because Dontrell Hilliard has clearly come to the fore. Johnson will have to face this reality.
"I'm not sitting here hoping" I beg you, can I be exchanged? Johnson said, "I want to be here. I always wanted to be here, but at some point, if (Dorsey) exchanged me, he exchanged me. I do not come home every night wishing and praying, but if that happens, it happens. "
There might still be a place for Johnson on this train. If he wants it – and the Browns want it – he might be able to help it move a little bit easier.
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