comments last week for running back Duke Johnson. Multiple teammates reportedly
had some strong private comments for Mayfield.According to Mike Silver of NFL
Media
Christian
Kirksey Color Rush Jersey , “several veteran Browns players” approached
Mayfield “to register their displeasure.” Silver says that the players and
Mayfield “hashed out their differences.”Johnson has been asking for a trade, and
he skipped voluntary offseason workouts in order to express his displeasure with
his status, given the presence of Nick Chubb and the offseason signing of Kareem
Hunt. Said Mayfield at the team’s mandatory minicamp (which Johnson attended):
“If we have guys that want to be here, they’ll show that, they’ll voice that.
Obviously he’s going to handle his stuff how he wants, but you’re either on this
train or you’re not, it’s moving. You can get out of the way or you can join us,
so it is what it is.”The comments were more confusing than offensive, because
Johnson to get off the train. And for good reason. He’s due to make $1.6 million
this year, and the Browns need him given that Hunt will miss the first eight
games of the season. Come next year, however, Johnson’s salary doubles to $3.6
million. And the Browns will be less likely to keep him.So Johnson is pushing
the issue now, hopeful for a trade to a team where he can prove his worth for
2020, because next year his contract becomes far less attractive for trade
purposes.Veteran players took some offense because Mayfield came dangerously
close to getting in between a teammate and his financial arrangements, under the
guise of the kind of rah-rah stuff that simply doesn’t apply to the NFL like it
does to college and high school football.The best news for the Browns is that
things were quickly hashed out between Mayfield and his veteran teammates.
Mayfield is still young and learning, but he has the ability to connect with his
teammates in a unique
way
https://www.brownsfanshop.com/JC-Tretter-Jersey ,
and he surely used that charisma to work through the concerns that were brought
to him. The mere fact that teammates felt comfortable raising the concerns shows
that there’s already a special relationship between Mayfield and his teammates.
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Baker Mayfield has assorted shiny trophies, plaques and
awards from his college days. Probably more than he realizes.So far, his biggest
NFL honor can’t be hung or placed on a shelf.Mayfield was humbled by compliments
made toward him by Saints star quarterback Drew Brees, who believes the Browns
rookie is destined for fame.On Wednesday, Brees gushed when talking about
Mayfield.“I think he can be a lot better than me,” Brees said. “He’s got all the
tools. He’s more athletic. He probably can run around better. He’s got a
stronger arm.”Mayfield was moved by the praise.“Yeah, it doesn’t get much higher
than that,” Mayfield said following practice. “That’s one of the greatest to
play of all time. That’s the guy that I’ve had an unbelievable amount of respect
for and looked up to just because of where I’m from first and then size and
story as well. So I’ve always enjoyed watching him.”Mayfield hopes to meet Brees
for the first time Sunday as the Browns (0-0-1) visit the Saints (0-1), who lost
their home opener 48-40 to Tampa Bay last week.For now, Mayfield is Cleveland’s
No. 2 quarterback, waiting his turn behind starter Tyrod Taylor. The Heisman
Trophy winner grew up in Texas patterning his game after Brees, who entered the
league with far less fanfare and minimal expectations following a storied career
at Purdue.The knock on Brees coming out of college was that he was too short to
succeed in the pro game. He’d be swallowed in the pocket and there was no way
he’d be able to see receivers, never mind complete passes.Well, all Brees has
done on the way to numerous Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl title, is become one of
just three quarterbacks to surpass
70
Ozzie Newsome
Jersey ,000 yards passing.The Hall of Fame awaits.And while Mayfield
appreciated Brees’ comments, they’ll only be words if he doesn’t produce.“It’s
really cool. It’s humbling, but unless I go to work every day, then it’s not
going to matter,” he said. “Expectations are one thing, but you’ve got to do
your own. Got to do your own.”Brees’ remarks also caught the attention of Browns
wide receiver Jarvis Landry.“You’re talking about, especially me being from
Louisiana, Drew’s a G.O.A.T.,” Landry said. “He’s the guy. For him to say that,
that’s one of the highest praises you can get from one of the guys that is
tremendously respected around the league and around the world. So that’s
huge.”Of course, Mayfield can’t do much about building a legacy on the
sideline.The Browns are taking a slow-is-better approach with Mayfield, whom
they believe is their QB of the future — not the present.Barring an injury,
Mayfield won’t play this week against the Saints. And unless something changes
dramatically soon, the Browns intend to have Mayfield sharpen his skills during
practice until they feel he’s ready to start.That’s been the plan since March,
when Cleveland traded for Taylor, who led Buffalo to the playoffs last
season.Browns coach Hue Jackson said he won’t be swayed to change direction by
the early success the New York Jets have had with Sam
Darnold
Briean
Boddy-Calhoun Jersey , the No. 3 overall pick. Darnold shook off throwing
an interception that was returned for a TD on his first attempt and completed 16
of 21 passes for 192 yards and two TDs in a rout of Detroit on Monday night.“I
like our young quarterback a lot, but it didn’t change my mind on anything,”
Jackson said. “Baker’s been really good in practice. I think he’s still growing.
The thing I love, he’s so engaged in what we’re doing. That is a fist bump to
him because I’m sure it’s tough.“I’m sure he wants to play. Any competitor wants
to. At the same time, I think he’s ready. He’s preparing himself week in and
week out on what it takes to play. And when his day comes, he’s going to go out
there and play well. I keep saying that. Do not know when it is, but when it
does happen, he will play well.”Taylor’s 15 of 40 performance last week against
Pittsburgh sparked some debate as to whether the Browns were handling their QB
situation — and Mayfield — correctly.“The most important thing is that he’s our
future,” Jackson said. “If he is, we don’t have to rush this thing. When
everybody saw the numbers last week, everybody wanted to go, ‘OK, Tyrod is out.
Let’s go the other way.’ Let’s slow down a little bit here. Let’s get this thing
going. Week 1, here we go to Week 2. Let’s see if we can improve on offense and
play better.”
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