Five-foot tall cardboard boxes stood in front of each Browns player’s locker Monday. The sound of packing tape flying off the roll filled the air as players walked through the room where they spent nearly every day of the past four months one last time before departing for the offseason.
With the Browns parting ways Sunday with general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine, Cleveland players left for their respective offseason destinations understandably uncertain of what’s next.
The frustration of a 3-13 finish lingered with all of them. Offensive lineman Joel Bitonio spoke for many when he said part of the blame for Farmer’s and Pettine’s respective removals fell on the players, too.