{"id":23706,"date":"2017-07-12T12:01:17","date_gmt":"2017-07-12T16:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=23706"},"modified":"2021-05-30T16:13:11","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T20:13:11","slug":"joel-bitonio-browns-ready-win-joe-thomas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/07\/12\/joel-bitonio-browns-ready-win-joe-thomas\/","title":{"rendered":"Joel Bitonio: The Cleveland Browns Are Ready To Win for Joe Thomas"},"content":{"rendered":"

On July 12th, 2017, players from the teams playing in the NFL International Series games assembled in London, England and participated in NFL UK\u2019s Summer Bowl. A flag football tournament for British school kids, it gave Last Word on Pro Football a chance to catch up with some NFL players who’ll be taking part in 2017’s London games. Here we talk to Joel Bitonio<\/a><\/strong> on how the Browns are ready to win for Joe Thomas<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Joel Bitonio: The Cleveland Browns Are Ready To Win for Joe Thomas<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Browns Are Heading Upwards<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s obvious that the Browns had a tough season last year. But a 1-15 record hasn\u2019t dimmed Bitonio\u2019s belief in the long-term direction of the team.<\/p>\n

\u201c100 percent we have the right coaching staff in place,” Bitonio emphasized. “We have brought in some really good draft picks and we\u2019re starting to build something.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can feel Bitonio is energized by the youth of the team. Players like Myles Garrett<\/strong><\/a>, who as Bitonio says, \u201cis a young draft pick who\u2019s really impressive athletically and it will be exciting to see him on the field.”<\/p>\n

Joe Thomas Is The Leader of the Group<\/h3>\n

However, it\u2019s the team\u2019s elder statesman that he\u2019s really thinking of.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe Thomas has been there for so long, and he deserves to win,” Bitonio noted. “He\u2019s our patriarchal leader.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bitonio is ready to do whatever is necessary to win, although he\u2019s clear where he prefers to do it. \u201cLeft guard,\u201d he laughs when asked his favourite position, \u201cI love playing next to Joe. He\u2019s one of the best players to ever play the (left tackle) position.\u201d<\/p>\n

What About a London-Based Team?<\/h3>\n

Born and raised in California, Bitonio moved to Cleveland, a good five hour flight away, when he was drafted. Still, he sees the potential for future players to move even further. When asked about a London-based team, and what it would be like to be drafted to a different country, he smiles and says it\u2019s an \u201cexciting proposition. It\u2019s a great city with the infrastructure to set something up in the future.”<\/p>\n

Whatever future direction the International Series takes, it\u2019s clear Bitonio is focused hard on the Cleveland Browns. They have a great staff in place, young players coming in, and a host of future draft picks. It\u2019s easy to believe the Browns won\u2019t be the NFL\u2019s perennial basement dwellers for much longer.<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n