BEREA, Ohio — The last day of school, or specifically the last day of training camp for the Browns. They're on their way as they get set for game three of the preseason on Friday night at Raymond James Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It's always an interesting day at training camp around Baker Mayfield. He discussed with the media after practice the situation with the GQ article, and the quote where he kind of laughed and couldn't believe the the Giants drafted Daniel Jones out of Duke with the No. 6 overall pick. Mayfield cleaned that up today, saying the quote wasn't accurate, that it was taken out of context, and that he had text messaged Jones to go over the situation and explain his side of the thing. He says he was really talking about how teams and analysts mis-evaluate quarterbacks, adding they mis-evaluated him when they said he didn't deserve to be the No. 1 overall pick.
Mayfield also said he went to some of Jones' Giants teammates (including Saquon Barkley and fellow Oklahoma alum Sterling Shepard) and it looks at though everything is smooth and all cleared up. After all this, keep in mind the Browns don't play the Giants this year, unless they meet in the Super Bowl. I don't know about that, at least on the Giants side of things.
Another interesting part of the day: Mayfield said that he'd love to play the first half in the next preseason game, which is usually the "dress rehearsal" game. It's interesting because Freddie Kitchens seems content with the amount of work the starters and the rest of the team have gotten in during camp, and maybe he could pull back and not play the starters that much (if at all) on Friday night. However, he does seem more open now to play the starters if they're healthy. Anybody who has a nick, bump, or bruise is not going to play, but maybe Mayfield feels he needs a little bit more time underneath center. If so, I'm sure the Browns are going to be open-minded and allow him to get some playing time against the Bucs. Great for us, becuase you always enjoy seeing him play.
The Browns also brought in Braxton Miller, the former Ohio State quarterback-turned-wide receiver once he got to the NFL. Now, I wouldn't read too much into this. The team has a number of injuries at receiver: D.J. Montgomery (who had a great game in Indy) is hurt, Ishmael Hyman is down with a concussion, and Antonio Callaway has that high-ankle sprain. So with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry already not going to play, the Browns need some bodies, and this will give Miller an opportunity to get a look not just from Cleveland but around the NFL.
So how did camp end? The way it started, and the way it went throughout the three-and-a-half weeks: with a missed field goal. The Browns, once again, having problems with their kickers. It's been at the top of the list since training camp opened, and now it's getting close to the start of the regular season. Watch the Buccaneers' backup kicker Cairo Santos on Friday night. They drafted Matt Gay out of Utah in the fifth round who appears to be the guy that's going to win the job there, while Santos has been around the NFL and was with John Dorsey in Kansas City. The Browns might be wise to take a good, hard look at him, or anybody else. It's easier said than done to get the guy that you want, but the kicking situation has gotten no better.
A good, long, physical camp all the way around. A check mark for Freddie Kitchens in his first year as head coach.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS: Final day of Browns training camp
MORE: Jimmy discussed the final day of Browns training camp with Dave "Dino" DeNatale on the Donovan Live Postgame Show.
