BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Nick Chubb and Sheldon Richardson were voted as the award winners by the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America for the 2019 season.
Chubb’s historic season running the football earned him unanimous recognition as the ‘Joe Thomas Player of the Year’ while Richardson was named the ‘Dino Lucarelli Good Guy’ award winner.
“I think Sheldon is a good guy so you guys voted a good guy,” head coach Freddie Kitchens said. “We have a lot of good guys here, but Sheldon is definitely one of them. You guys know how I feel about Nick. Nick is one of the hardest workers we have. He shows up every day in meetings and on the field trying to get better. He has done an outstanding job of that.”
Chubb’s 1,453 yards through 15 games ranks fourth-most in Browns history behind Hall of Famer Jim Brown, who holds the top three seasons. Chubb has seven 100-yard rushing games and was named a Pro Bowl starter this season. His 1,730 yards from scrimmage ranks second in the NFL to date.
Richardson earned honors as the ‘Good Guy’ for his cooperation with the media as well how he conducts himself off the field in the community and with teammates.
“I appreciate the award,” Richardson said.
“I never knew about the award honestly. I didn't know they gave out a 'Good Guy Award.' I'm thankful for it, though. I appreciate it.”
Richardson, signed to a three-year contract in March as a free agent, has started 14 of the 15 games this season tallying 59 tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
“I think Sheldon has done a good job of when he shows up on Sunday you see him run sideline to sideline playing hard every play,” Kitchens said. “It does not matter what the situation is, he tries to compete every play and is very active and a lot of energy. He has been very good.”
Rare company – Baker Mayfield is set to join Tim Couch as the only quarterbacks to start all 16 regular season games since 1999.
It's one of the most absurd Browns streaks and statistics. And there are a multitude of them over the years.
“I’m never one to shy away from competition,” Mayfield said. “I play this game because I love it. I continue to enjoy the process. It’s not always fun but getting to go out and complete on Sundays to try and have success is the fun part about it. Any chance I get to go out there for a game I’m going to do it.”
Couch accomplished the feat during the 2001 season that saw the Browns finish 7-9 and Mayfield can replicate the record with a victory over the Bengals.
“I think your quarterback needs to be the most tough mentally and physically person on your team,” Kitchens said. “I think Baker is mentally and physically tough. You have to fight through things as a quarterback mentally of course but physically, as well. There are some games you get knocked around pretty good and you have to be ready to get back out on the practice field, practice, get better and do away with all the other stuff and just focus on getting better. He has done a good job of that.
“Yeah, I saw that stat about 2001 and first time [a Browns QB has started all 16 games], so yeah, I think it is remarkable.”
Mayfield has practiced and played through multiple injuries this season including ribs and a thumb.
“He is mentally and physically tough,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “That is how he is wired. He loves to play football. I do not think he could ever see himself not playing on Sundays. You would have to drag him off the field. The doctors would have to say, ‘X,Y and Z could happen if you play.’ Otherwise, he is going to want to play. That is just how he is wired. I do not care what it is, and I do not care what event it be. If there was something at stake and he could compete at it, he is going to want to be out there and get after it.”
Calling it – Kitchens will not allow Monken to call plays in the season finale.
“We are going to always evaluate and do the thing that gives us the best chance to win, so no,” Kitchens said. “I think Todd has done a good job all year of keeping us on course during the course of the week.
“I just feel more comfortable calling the plays right now. Nothing against Todd. Todd would do an excellent job of calling the plays, but we are focused this week on just getting better at what we have been doing.”
Injury report – DNP: TE Ricky Seals-Jones (illness)
LIMITED: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (groin), WR Jarvis Landry (hip), WR KhaDarel Hodge (neck), RT Chris Hubbard (knee), OT Kendall Lamm (knee), DT Sheldon Richardson (back), C JC Tretter (knee), DE Olivier Vernon (knee)
FULL: S Damarious Randall (foot)
