Berea, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – On Monday morning, former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan had some less than constructive criticism of Baker Mayfield, and head coach Freddie Kitchens.
Wednesday, they both got to fire back.
Ryan said that Mayfield was “overrated as hell” and was “a one-read quarterback” among other things.
Kitchens had the first opportunity to respond Wednesday morning.
“I appreciate his opinion and all that, but he’s not in our building, he has no idea what we’re doing,” Kitchens said.
What about the whole one-read thing Ryan mentioned?
“Is he a one-read quarterback? No, he’s not,” Kitchens said. “I mean, that’s asinine to even say.”
Ryan also took a shot at Kitchens when he was asked about Kitchens getting the offense straightened out. “You mean before they fire him?,” Ryan said sarcastically.
There’s no question that Mayfield hasn’t played to the level he did during the second half of the 2018 season through the first three games this year. He’s completed just 56.9 percent of his passes for 805 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions.
“It's whatever,” Mayfield said. “In the wise words of Freddie Kitchens, if you don't wear orange and brown you don't matter. Rex Ryan doesn't have any colors right now for a reason. So it's OK.”
Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. took up for his quarterback, politely dismissing Ryan’s remarks.
“No offense to Rex because I love him, but we don’t really care what you said,” Beckham said. “We’re going to go out there and play football. It’s our livelihood, risking your life every time you go out there. So, overrated as hell, none of that is really ever going to matter when you get on the field.
“It’s just about being exactly who you are and knowing what you’re capable of doing and doing that. That’s really it. All the words go out the window. It’s just a bunch of words.”