The chemistry between Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. in their first game back together was pleasing to the Browns. (Cleveland Browns)
Browns saw growth in the play of Baker Mayfield in first game back with Odell Beckham Jr.
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
The return of Odell Beckham Jr. against the Chicago Bears was successful in more ways than simply his 5 catches for 77 yards.
The Browns liked two other things, in particular.
“Odell caught the balls thrown his way, looked really good running routes, [and] drew coverage his way, which helps us in the running game and passing game,” said coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
Beckham was blatantly held on two occasions on the first Browns series. The one that wasn’t flagged – a yank of his jersey by beaten linebacker Roquan Smith on the second play of the game – is when Beckham’s shoulder joint popped out of place, Beckham said.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of Beckham’s reunion with Baker Mayfield was that the quarterback refrained from forcing the ball to the flamboyant receiver.
He got away with it perhaps twice, but neither time did he put the ball in harm’s way. And there definitely was a desire for some “shot” plays between the two.
“We had some plays that were plays to Odell that weren’t there,” Van Pelt said. “But we have to make good decisions as quarterbacks and just run the offense. I think Baker did a nice job of doing that.
“Obviously, we have to get the ball in our best players’ hands and Odell’s one of those guys. But not at the expense of jeopardizing the offense and the system. I think there’s some growth in that area, for sure. O will continue to be a big part of this offense moving forward and we’ll continue to have more catches and more production moving on.”
Ready and Greedy
It will be a big day in Minnesota for cornerback Greedy Williams on Sunday. He’ll be making his first start since Dec. 29, 2019. But he’ll also be on the same field with Patrick Peterson, his idol from his LSU days.
Peterson signed with Minnesota in free agency after earning eight Pro Bowl berths in 10 seasons with Arizona. Before that, though, Peterson was the Jim Thorpe Award winner at LSU and also took the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college football.
“He kind of started the tradition of DBU,” Williams said. “He’s one of the reasons I went to LSU. Definitely a role model. I look up to him.”
Beckham, another LSU alum, also reveres Peterson.
“He’s part of the reason why [Jarvis Landry] and I went to LSU,” Beckham said. “He was one of those people that inspired the culture. So we’ve always looked up to him. Someone I’ve always had a deep respect for. He’s a phenomenal corner. Been in there 10+ years. I still look at him as one of the best corners in the league. I haven’t gotten to match up against him too many times. It’s always exciting to see him play.”
Back to Williams, who’ll be filling in for injured rookie Greg Newsome (calf). This will be the first time he’ll play extended snaps on defense for coordinator Joe Woods.
“I’ve seen enough of him in practice to know what he’s capable of doing,” Woods said. “He’s athletic, he has length, he’s able to be aggressive for us in terms of playing man coverage. It’s more the physical aspect of it, coming off the shoulder [injury]. I think he’s confident. When he stepped in the game [for eight snaps against the Bears], he made a couple plays. I think he’ll be ready to go.”
More LSU stuff
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson was NFL offensive rookie-of-the-year in 2020 and some of his achievements rivalled those of Beckham in his first year with the Giants in 2014.
Jefferson had 1,400 receiving yards; Beckham had 1,305. Both players had 7 touchdowns as rookies. Beckham is safely ahead of Jefferson in receiving yards over his first 20 games in the NFL. Beckham had 1,959; Jefferson has 1,654 in 19 games.
“I played with his big brother [Jordan],” Beckham said. “I always knew he’d be a special player. Love him to death.”
Jefferson was one of several LSU players to whom Beckham passed out $100 bills following LSU’s romp over Clemson in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship game in the Superdome.
“Talked to him yesterday,” Beckham said, laughing. “Told him I’ll be coming for that $400-$600 that he might owe me -- plus interest -- from the championship game. It’s the only reason I’m making the trip, just to get this $400-$600 from him.”
Brownie bits
Safety John Johnson offered as good an explanation as any about why the Browns failed to produce a turnover in their defensive domination of the Bears. “The opportunities were scarce,” Johnson said. “Every time we looked up, the quarterback was on the ground or throwing the ball to the ground.” …
Johnson did make an interception but it was called back for pushing off receiver Allen Robinson. Woods said, “We pride ourselves on wanting to take away the football and we haven’t gotten that done it the first three weeks. We have to get better in that area.” …
Even though Chris Hubbard (triceps) has been upgraded to limited participation in practice this week, it doesn’t sound as if the Browns will start him ahead of Jedrick Wills (ankle), who missed another day of practice. “I think Jed will be just fine this week,” Van Pelt said. “We understand he’s playing on one leg at times, but he continues to get better each week through treatment.”
