Tag Archives: Odell Beckham Jr.

Speed should not be focus for Browns offense

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While the Cleveland Browns do need to make some tweaks and improvements to their offense, an overhaul based solely on speed is the wrong way to go.

A belief has infiltrated the world of the Cleveland Browns and it is downright preposterous. This thought has come from the offensive display of the Kansas City Chiefs that was witnessed this past Sunday. What is this thought? That the Browns do not have enough speed on offense and should change things for the sake of speed. Listen Tom Cruise, not only is that a terrible idea, it’s completely irresponsible to do so. 

First off, comparing the offenses of the Chiefs and Browns is comparing apples to oranges. The schemes are entirely different and that is before comparing the talent level of players and their specific traits. Much like when teams in the NBA tried to duplicate the success of the Golden State Warriors, many of them failed because it is simply impossible to do so. The Warriors were a special group of players who had elite traits which allowed them to operate in that manner. NBA teams that were not properly equipped that attempted to copy Golden State produced a product which was not only bad, it was flat out unwatchable.

This theme also applies to the Chiefs and their collection of elite talents. With Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Mecole Hardman, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire having the right combination of traits and abilities to make their system work. In addition to the players, the coach who oversees everything also has a massive impact on their success. Much like Golden State, Kansas City has a coach who has tailored the system to his players and put them in a position to succeed. Just like there is only one Steve Kerr, there is only one Andy Reid and that is not something that can be simply copied.

That brings us to the Browns, their offense, and the players in it. The offensive strategy deployed by Kevin Stefanski is completely different than what is utilized by Reid and the Chiefs. Kansas City’s offense is dominated by the passing game and their rushing attack was a complimentary facet of their scheme. Cleveland’s offense has a dominant rushing attack which leads to success on bootlegs and in play action. While both offenses can lead to impressive passing performances, one is more reliant on the defense believing that the offense could run the ball on any given play and that is Cleveland’s.

It is crucial to identify the differences in the abilities and style of quarterbacks of both teams. The fact of the matter is that Patrick Mahomes is what drives the Chiefs offense while Baker Mayfield is a passenger of the system. Mahomes is a player who can succeed in any offensive scheme while the same does not apply to Mayfield. Want proof? It is not a coincidence that Mayfield improved so much in an offense that is not entirely dependent on the passing attack. Stefanski’s offense is designed to maximize the production of quarterbacks just like Mayfield and that was the case this season. Simply put, Stefanski put Mayfield in a position to succeed based off of his unique skill set and did not put him in a place where he is the engine of the offense. Mayfield’s success this season is a product of the offense and not the other way around.

Now onto the aspect of speed. This is not saying that speed on offense is a bad thing, but a complete overhaul of the team in order to cater to this strategy is completely reckless. Adding a player to their receiving corps that has speed would be a great idea, but replacing one or both of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry with players for the sake of speed and speed only is roster construction malpractice. It is better to find a complimentary speed player to add to the mix rather than replace everyone to fit a system that would be nothing more than a hollow, cheap, and more than likely ineffective facsimile of Kansas City. If this sounds familiar, see above about teams attempting to copy the Warriors resulting in a terrible on court product.

With all of that being said, the Browns do need to make adjustments to their offense and how their roster is constructed. These adjustments should be nothing more than a few tweaks and the addition of players to fill certain roles. A burner would be a perfect addition and would take the top off the defense in a three wide receiver set. The key part of that last sentence is that the player would be third receiver on the field behind OBJ and Landry. This type of player would be able to provide the explosive plays that have become an intense fascination as of late. These players typically finish the game with only a few targets and maybe a catch or two for big yardage. These type of players should not be the focus of the offense, but rather a secondary or tertiary option behind talents who are clearly superior.

It is crucial to not focus on something that one team in the entire league can do better than anyone else, that thing being speed. What the Browns should do is find something that they can do better than anyone else and build that way. Their offense was clearly one of the more impressive units this season and can take the next step with the addition of a speed player. But again, the addition of a speed player, not a full on overhaul with speed being the primary focus. If the Browns can accomplish this they may be able to capitalize on what appears to be an open contention window.

ACL surgery for Odell Beckham Jr. a success

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The Cleveland Browns receiver underwent successful surgery on his torn anterior cruciate ligament and should be ready to play in the 2021 season.

Odell Beckham Jr. had surgery on his torn ACL and it has been deemed to be successful. Beckham’s surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews and it is expected for him to return to play in the 2021 NFL season.

The injury was suffered in Cleveland’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, resulting in a premature ending for Odell Beckham Jr.’s 2020 season. This will be the fifth time in seven seasons that Beckham does not play in all 16 games.

Prior to his injury it was down year for Odell Beckham Jr. Entering Week 7 Beckham was on pace for 61.3 receptions, 850.7 yards, and 8 touchdowns. The 8 touchdowns would have been his highest total since 2016 when he finished with 10. The receptions and yards would have been career-lows in seasons in which he played 12 games or more.

Part of the reason for drop in numbers is due to the offense employed by Kevin Stefanski. The other more alarming reason is the lack of chemistry with Baker Mayfield. Whether people want to admit it or not, the reality is that the two players are not compatible. The Browns are more talented with Odell Beckham Jr. than they are without him. However the quarterback has better statistical numbers without him. The Browns are going to have to decide whether they keep an extremely talented receiver or an extremely limited quarterback. On the surface it seems like an easy decision, but that is before money enters the conversation. Beckham is owed a lot of money in the future and the concerns about how often he is injured may influence whether or not he is in Cleveland for the long haul.

This Is Believeland Podcast Ep. 50: Jordan Cohen

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This Is Believeland Podcast Episode 50: Discussing the Browns win over the Bengals, Baker, OBJ, and more with Jordan Cohen.

(Note: It was said in error that it was the Browns celebrated after intercepting Joe Burrow, it was actually the fumble they recovered).

Baker, OBJ, Browns offense, and more by This Is Believeland

The Browns, Baker Mayfield, and Odell Beckham Jr.

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With OBJ out for the year, a discussion about his fit with the quarterback and the team can now take place.

The Cleveland Browns will be without the services of Odell Beckham Jr. for the rest of the year due to his season ending injury. By now everyone has heard/seen the numbers of quarterback Baker Mayfield with and without Beckham on the field, prompting an important discussion that needs to take place. The discussion?

Whether or not Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. are actually compatible.

Let’s get this out of the way first. The Cleveland Browns are a better team with Odell Beckham Jr. What is also true is that Baker Mayfield has performed better when Beckham is not in the mix.

As Andrew Siciliano stated above, the Browns are not a better team without Beckham. Being without OBJ also does not necessarily mean that Mayfield is a better quarterback. It means that Mayfield plays better when he is not on the field. Mayfield’s performance with/without Beckham is not indicative of his talent level, this is a fact. This is simply about play calls without Beckham appear to be catered to Mayfield’s strengths rather than when he is on the field. There is also the question about whether or not Mayfield or the offense is forcing the ball to Beckham. This has been a recurring subject and no matter what they say everything indicates that this has been the case.

What the Browns are going to need to ask themselves is whether or not the Baker Mayfield-Odell Beckham Jr. dynamic can actually work. If they find themselves in a situation where they have to choose it would be quite the predicament. Do they keep the average quarterback with obvious flaws or the superstar wide receiver who has a growing injury history. Both players are not strangers to off the field episodes, so that is a wash. The front office is going to have to weigh the pros and cons of both and what direction they want to go in. The success the team has the rest of the season will without a doubt play a factor in any possible decision the team makes.

Can the Browns bounce back in Week 7?

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Are the Cleveland Browns going to bounce back against the Cincinnati Bengals for the second time after a lopsided loss to a divisional rival?

The Cleveland Browns were blown out in Week 1 when they faced the Baltimore Ravens and rebounded nicely in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cleveland finds themselves in a very familiar situation in Week 7. The Browns were beaten badly by a divisional opponent (Pittsburgh) and again face the Bengals. Can they channel what they did in Week 2 and get back into the win column?

Looking back to Cleveland’s 35-30 win over Cincinnati, the Browns ran more than they passed. This will need to be their strategy after a lackluster passing performance from Baker Mayfield in Week 6. While Nick Chubb will not be available, Kareem Hunt should be able to handle the bulk of the workload. Mix in some D’Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard in addition to an Odell Beckham Jr. run.

Speaking of Odell, he had his second best outing of the season the last time Cleveland faced Cincinnati. The Browns receiver finished with 4 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown The touchdown coming on a 43-yard pass from Mayfield in the 2nd quarter. It is possible that Beckham has another good day facing the Bengals this Sunday.

What it is going to come down to is realizing what does and doesn’t work. Kevin Stefanski is definitely smart enough to realize the strengths and weaknesses of this team. The offense will to need to focus on running the ball and pick their spots in the passing game. If the result of the game is dependent on a productive passing attack they are in trouble. If the Browns are able to run the ball effectively they should be able to come away with a win.

Odell Beckham Jr. needs to grow up

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The Browns receiver was seen throwing his helmet and later arguing with fans while not wearing shoes during Sunday’s loss in Pittsburgh.

Somehow Odell Beckham Jr. has mostly avoided having episodes on the sideline since being traded to the Cleveland Browns. That is no longer the case as Beckham was seen throwing his helmet and for some reason shoeless late during the loss to Pittsburgh.

First, Beckham throwing his helmet.

Being frustrated is understandable, the Browns were completely outclassed Sunday and they are not what many thought they were coming into this game. The helmet throw isn’t great, but is not something to harp on all that much. Beckham isn’t the first and won’t be the last player to throw a helmet on sideline. The deal is that when it comes to someone like Beckham it is amplified that much more.

Now it’s time for the real issues. Odell Beckham Jr. not wearing shoes and arguing on the sideline.

Why isn’t he wearing shoes? All of his teammates managed to have their cleats on and for some bizarre reason he decided that this was beneath him. Beckham only complicated matters when he decided to get into it with some fans.

The team is losing by 31 points and Beckham did not have an impressive performance. Being shoeless and arguing with fans is the furthest thing from a good look.

Here’s the deal, Odell Beckham Jr. has to be better than this. He has to grow up and not act like a child being told no at a toy store. Beckham’s actions show that the team still lacks culture and discipline. These are things that do not just happen overnight, they take time. The Browns still have a long way to go in this department and Sunday was more than enough evidence of that.

There is one thing that the Browns need to figure out. Was what happened Sunday a one-off incident or the beginning of a ticking time bomb waiting to explode? History says that latter, however the Browns can show they turned the corner by ensuring that this was a one time thing. What happens next will say a lot about the state of the Cleveland Browns and Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. cleared to play Sunday

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The Cleveland Browns receiver has tested negative for COVID-19 along with the rest of the team and is cleared to play Sunday.

There was some concern just a few days ago about the playing status of Odell Beckham Jr. The Cleveland Browns receiver was sent home from practice after not feeling well which combined with the Colts COVID scare resulted in a bit of a panic. Beckham and the rest of his teammates tested negative in their most recent tests and are good to go Sunday.

This is good news considering the Browns are going to need every player to be available when they face the Steelers. Cleveland will be facing a stout Pittsburgh defense which will put pressure on the offense. The Steelers are allowing the second-fewest rushing yards per game this season (64). This means at some point a play in the passing game will need to be made and having someone like Beckham makes that possible.