BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns understand that on paper, they are very talented. But they know, too, that talent does not mean much in the National Football League if there is no work ethic to back up the skills.
That is why quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Browns are using this time in training camp to build chemistry before the preseason and regular-season games get underway.
“Chemistry’s definitely the issue now,” Mayfield said after Wednesday’s practice in Berea. “We’re getting on the same page, being able to communicate was what we stressed on very early in the process, and now, it’s being able to execute.
“Chemistry is a big part of it, but being able to talk through things and get as game-like in situations as possible to where we can realize how I need to throw the ball, where it needs to be thrown, yeah, that’s what we’re stressing.”
Mayfield sees that point being stressed from the top down, starting with head coach Freddie Kitchens, and understands the importance of “being on the same page” with the entire offense.
Part of that being on the same page is not being afraid to correct a team, whether that is Mayfield yelling at a wide receiver to finish a play by hustling into the end zone or Kitchens correcting his second-year quarterback when the offense makes a mistake.
“I’m not a jackass,” Mayfield quipped. “You’ve got to talk through it. Gonna harp on it, then I’m going to talk to them. Those guys know that that’s a big part of our offense, and they know that. It’s just the fact that if we get lazy and we let things slide, we need to be overcommunicating right now. That’s what the good teams do.
“They know I’m going to push them. They know I’m going to push myself, so it’s nothing personal when it comes to getting after somebody, and I expect them to hold me accountable as well and that’s the beauty of having guys that really want to win.”
Mayfield “absolutely” believes his receivers, specifically Beckham Jr., appreciate him holding them accountable, and also, for taking correction when something does not go to plan.
“There’s an appreciation from my end that he’s able to come communicate and talk through things,” Mayfield said. “Having that open relationship -- obviously there’s a chain of command, what Freddie says goes -- but just being able to talk through things and see it from their perspective or mine is really good.”
When it comes to building chemistry with his receivers, Mayfield believes preseason games can help, but also, he understands the risk-reward with injury, which is something the coaching staff will examine and weigh before the Browns kick off against the Washington football team at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, August 8.
“As many game-like situations you can get are great, but that’s why we do situational stuff here because you’re not going to get those in preseason,” Mayfield said.
“You’re not going to get like the two-minute drill where you need to score in preseason with everybody that’s going to be in there. That’s why we’re practicing really hard and harping on these guys to play smart football.”
