Jarvis Landry was no fan of Freddie Kitchens' leadership skills. (Rob Lorenzo)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from locker clean-out day in Browns locker room …
Jarvis Landry dropped the bombshell that he could be facing a 6-to-8 month recovery time if he is required to have surgery to correct his hip problem, which stems from a fractured sacrum.
Landry said he had an MRI on Monday. The results will be examined by a specialist and the recommended course of action will be followed.
He said he views surgery as a last resort.
“We’re going to find out Friday,” Landry said.
Using his own timetable, surgery could keep Landry shelved through the entire offseason OTA period and minicamps and possibly through training camp.
Landry estimated that his injury, which he brought to the offseason program last year, limited him to about “80 percent” of his capabilities this season.
Nevertheless, Landry led the Browns with 83 receptions for 1,174 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He was selected for the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive season. He may have to pass on appearing, however, pending the results of the MRI.
More Landry bombs: No player was more candid about what went wrong this disappointing Browns season and why the Browns are conducting their fifth coaching search in eight years under the Haslam ownership.
*On what the team needs most:
“Just leadership. Leadership.”
*On explaining the failures of the offense:
“A lot of times … we relied on plays and not players as much. Especially on the offensive side of the ball.”
*On why he felt new leadership was needed:
“I would say the identity of who we are and who we’re trying to become. I know there was no doubt people here were trying to win. I just think we didn’t know how to do it.”
*On when he lost faith in the Kitchens leadership:
“I never lost faith. I just think we lacked [leadership] at times.
“I think there are always times in seasons when things happen – guys get hurt, off field issues, a bunch of different things happen. Crucial points in a game, being able to hold your composure, being able to talk to each other, treat everybody with respect. I just think at times there was a lack thereof.”
*On whether Kitchens was overwhelmed with the dual role of calling plays while managing a game:
“I think Freddie was a hard-working guy. He came to work and he called plays to put us in the best position possible. I wouldn’t say he necessarily was in over his head. He tried his best to make sure that we had an opportunity to win the game.”
*On if the locker room needs a proven head coach with experience:
“I think it could help. I do.”
New life for the Chief?: Tight end David Njoku was one player who definitely felt better about his future with the Browns after the firing of Kitchens.
Njoku was locked in Kitchens’ doghouse for a variety of undisclosed reasons. After two consecutive healthy scratches, Njoku appeared on only four offensive snaps in the season finale in Cincinnati.
Njoku declined to comment directly on the circumstances of his discipline, or his feelings about the decision to fire Kitchens.
“I wouldn’t say we bumped heads. We had a couple differences,” he said.
I asked if he felt those differences were shared by GM John Dorsey.
“That’s a good question. I’m not sure,” he replied.
Overall, Njoku said he definitely wanted to return for his fourth season in Cleveland. The Browns have a deadline in May on whether to exercise the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. That is a harbinger of whether he is in their long-term plans.
“I’m very excited [about the future]. 2020’s going to be very special. I truly believe that,” Njoku said.
“When I was a young boy, somebody on special teams told me change is good. So, we’ll see.”
Making [another) list: The Haslams have not indicated how they would conduct their coaching search, other than to say in their only released statement that “we will take a comprehensive approach to this process.”
Throughout the day, the Browns reportedly had expressed the desire to interview the following candidates:
*Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator.
*Greg Roman, Ravens offensive coordinator.
*Robert Saleh, 49ers defensive coordinator.
*Mike McCarthy, former Packers head coach.
*Kevin Stefanski, Vikings offensive coordinator.
*Brian Daboll, Bills offensive coordinator.
A source confirmed the Browns inquired about Baylor head coach Matt Rhule and were told he wasn’t interested in the job.