Berea, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – There’s no better feeling than when a plan comes together and pays off.
For head coach Freddie Kitchens, the way he managed training camp and preseason playing time has led to a relatively healthy team as they prepare for the season opener against the Tennessee Titans, including receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Kitchens held back Beckham late in camp and kept him out of the preseason to allow the prolific receiver to get past a minor hip injury.
“Odell is ready to go,” Kitchens said Wednesday. “So, yeah, I feel good about the plan.”
Fellow receiver Jarvis Landry also did not play in the preseason and the first two official practices of the season – Monday and Wednesday – saw every member of the active roster on the field preparing for the Titans.
Much has been made about Beckham and Baker Mayfield not playing together in the preseason, but the quarterback put any concern to rest succinctly when asked if the topic has been overblown.
“I did not take a snap with Jarvis all of last year during the preseason so yes, it is probably a pretty overblown,” Mayfield said.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Beckham was acquired in March with the intention of giving Mayfield an elite-level target to throw to after he threw for a franchise rookie record 3,725 yards and an NFL rookie record 27 touchdowns last season.
“I always pride myself on being an accurate guy, but knowing that he is kind of a security blanket if I do make a mistake or am not on target as much as I would like to, he is going to make it right,” Mayfield said. “Just knowing what can do to effect the defense, it helps us as an offense as a whole but also just to know that I have that throw at all times is great.”
While Beckham’s first game action won’t come until Sunday, he’s already blown away his teammates with his talent.
“He’s as good as advertised,” running back Nick Chubb said. “Never seen anything like it. His footwork’s so smooth. He can make huge plays and he does it so easy. One-hand catches come natural to him. I’m excited to watch, too.”
No surprises – With all the attention focused on the offense this offseason, the defense has quietly gone about their business while racking up 19 sacks during the preseason.
Safety Damarious Randall knows what they have on his side of the ball and he’s pretty sure the rest of the NFL does too.
“We might surprise the fans, but as far as the other team, no [we won’t],” Randall said. “Everybody know who we are and we just got to go out there and just do what we have to do together and play as one.”
Mayfield got a first-hand look daily during training camp.
“I have definitely been paying attention. They looked great in the preseason,” Mayfield said. “Once you get those guys all out there on the field at the same time, it is going to be pretty scary. Looking to see what they can disrupt and handle up front and make plays for those guys on the back end.
“I think that is something that people forget is we have a great front, but that allows the defensive secondary to play aggressively and the linebackers to run free.”
In June Kitchens said he felt the defensive line was the strength of the team and he might be right.
Challenged Titans – With Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan suspended for the first four games of the season Browns Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett, who had 13.5 sacks last season, is primed for a big debut.
“We have been planning for Taylor not to be here for a few weeks now,” Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said on a conference call with Cleveland reporters. “We have kind of moved on and we are going to wait until he comes back to touch on it. We understand the challenge and where the strengths of some of these guys are up front for them – Myles, Richardson and Ogunjobi. Olivier Vernon is no stranger to making plays in the NFL. It is going to be a big challenge for us.”
Dennis Kelly, an eight-year veteran out of Purdue and acquired by Tennessee via trade in 2016, replaces Lewan and has appeared in 43 games at both tackle spots for the Titans.
Right tackle Jack Conklin didn’t practice Wednesday due to a knee injury. Vrabel downplayed his absence to Titans reporters saying he expects Conklin to return.
Hold me – One of the questions or concerns with rookie Jamie Gillan handling the punting duties is his role on placekicks as the holder.
It’s something he’s had to learn to do this year.
But why does the punter have to hold when there was a time in the NFL when teams would have a receiver or backup quarterback handle it?
“They spend all of practice together, so they are usually able to get the most work together with each other,” Kitchens said. “Just to answer your question bluntly and honestly, that is the reason. That is the reason that most people in the league do that. I am not saying it always is the right thing to do. Certainly, if we did not feel confident that would happen, we would explore other avenues. At the present time, we think that is the best way to go.”
Sticking with the plan – Kitchens allowed offensive coordinator Todd Monken and at least one other assistant to call a few plays during the preseason but that won’t continue Sunday against Tennessee.
“I am calling the plays,” Kitchens said.
Kitchens said after he was hired in January as the head coach that he would retain play calling duties.
Feeling generous – For the first time in the event’s 21-year history, tickets to the annual Taste of the Browns, benefitting the Greater Cleveland Foodbank, are sold out.
“We are thrilled that this year’s Taste of the Browns is sold out and even more excited for what this means for tackling hunger,” Kristin Warzocha, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, said. “Last year we were able to provide 1.2 million meals from this event and we look forward to surpassing that goal and providing even more meals to hungry men, women and children in six local counties.”
The event, which raises money to help feed the hungry in northeast Ohio, will be held Monday evening at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Notable quotable – “We are never hyped here at the Titans so I would have no idea.” Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on how Freddie Kitchens and Browns can manage the hype surrounding them.
Injury report – Limited: LB Sione Takitaki (hamstring); Full: DT Devaroe Lawrence (shoulder).
