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Freddie Kitchens has ‘total confidence’ Baker Mayfield will be ready for Cleveland Browns’ opener

Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens is not worried about Baker Mayfield's limited body of work in the preseason.

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will not play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Detroit Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, and he had a limited body of work over the first three exhibition games.

Despite his struggles through the first half of the third preseason game, a 13-12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa last Friday, the Browns are confident that Mayfield will be ready for the regular-season opener against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, September 8.

“I have total confidence he is going to be okay,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said of Mayfield.

Credit: Matt Florjancic
Quarterback Baker Mayfield looks for an open receiver during a drill at Cleveland Browns Practice on Monday, August 26, 2019.

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With Mayfield set to sit out Thursday’s preseason finale, he played one half against the Buccaneers and one series against the Washington football team, along with two joint practices against the Indianapolis Colts in Westfield, Indiana during training camp.

Mayfield did not get much work against Washington in the Browns’ preseason opener, but it was a successful night for the first-team offense as a whole and its leader individually.

The Browns won the coin toss, took the ball and Mayfield led a scoring drive on the first possession of the game, as his touchdown pass to Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins gave Cleveland a 7-0 lead over Washington with 12:47 to play in the first quarter.

Credit: Matt Florjancic
Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield throws a pass in a joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts in Westfield, Indiana on August 15, 2019.

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Facing a first-and-10 from Washington’s 24-yard line, Mayfield took the snap from center JC Tretter and fired a throw down the left hashmarks to Higgins, who broke open between the second and third-level defenders to create the window for the touchdown pass.

Mayfield was five of six for 77 yards with the touchdown pass on the first drive of the game

Mayfield was efficient and effective in his limited work against Washington, but more important than the touchdown drive was the fact that his jersey still was clean by the time he was pulled after the first series.

Credit: Matt Florjancic
Quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass on the run during practice at Cleveland Browns Training Camp in Berea, Ohio on August 1, 2019.

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Against the Buccaneers, Mayfield completed just 10 of his 26 attempts for 72 yards and an interception on his final throw of the first half while taking one sack for eight lost yards and being flushed out of the pocket on many of his passes.

Overall, Mayfield completed 15 of his 32 attempts (46.9 percent) for 149 yards and one touchdown with one interception during the preseason.

“Baker is substantially better at reading coverages, deciphering blitzes, fixing the protections and recognizing the blitzes,” Kitchens said. “I think he is better in a lot of areas.”

Credit: Matt Florjancic
Quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass in the Cleveland Browns' joint practice with Indianapolis Colts in Westfield, Indiana on August 14, 2019.

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The Browns are confident that Mayfield will be ready for the regular season because of his track record from 2018.

After taking over the first-team offense in the second quarter of a Week 3 win over the New York Jets, Mayfield completed 310 of his 486 attempts (63.8 percent) for 3,725 yards and an NFL rookie record 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions during the 2018 season.

Under the direction of Kitchens, the interim offensive coordinator for the second half of the 2018 season, Mayfield completed 180 of his 263 attempts (68.4 percent) for 2,254 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

“He’s great,” tight end Seth DeValve said of Mayfield. “He’s a great leader, not only on the field, but in the locker room. He’s got tremendous poise and confidence.

“He’s playing confidently, and I think he always will.”

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