Freddie Kitchens is now just a day away from the first game of his NFL head coaching career.
Said debut presents more than a few obstacles for him to overcome. The obvious examples are taking on the increased responsibility that comes with being a head coach, while also trying to bring the Cleveland Browns their first Week 1 victory since 2004.
To me, though, he has an even bigger hurdle in front of him than those. Kitchens’ biggest challenge this Sunday is ensuring the message he’s been preaching all offseason – that the Browns are not in a place where they can win games just by showing up – got across to his players.