Defensive lineman Olivier Vernon addressed the media immediately addressed the media following OTA practice on May 15, 2019. Oliver discusses his trade to the Browns, his fit with the team and being back in a 4-3 defense.
Head coach Freddie Kitchens addressed the media immediately following OTA practice on May 15, 2019. Freddie discusses the team's first OTA practice, the new additions to the team and surprising a local high school football team with new Xenith helmets.
Running back Nick Chubb addressed the media on May 15, 2019 to discuss the Browns 2019 rushing attack and more.
Is it just me, or does Baker look considerably bulked up>
I thought that as well.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
He is. He worked out in a gym instead of working w/a qb coach this offseason. I think that was a mistake.
A few people joked about the pass he threw to OBJ at the OTAs, but you can see his lead foot stride way too far to the left and the pass was inaccurate.
This was the exact area I was hoping he would work on this off-season. Of course, he said something like he did not need a broom sweeper on a beach to teach him how to throw a football.
The best news from the interviews in my opinion is:
Both Freddie and Baker were asked about Callaway. All the attention of course focused on Odell and Jarvis.
Freddie said he is in much better shape and was basically crisp and looked ready to go.
Baker, not quoting him but he was complimentary of Callaway (AC).
When we drafted him I didn't know a thing about him. Did research on his story and watched game tape. He also was a returner.
Right off I could see the talent. He had that good open field movement that was natural. He has got moves. During the season I could see corners were struggling against him. He started out behind but his talent caught up.
I have high hopes for him. I was glad to hear the positive reports about him.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Generally speaking, I don't really care if someone is attending volunteer OTAs or not. Of course if I had the choice, then yes I want everyone there but it's not the end of the world.
However, when I see this (highlighted part):
Quote:
“Listen, I have never disputed the fact that it is not important for him to be here, but it is also also important for him to be mentally ready to be here. I’m not giving him an out by any stretch of imagination, and nobody here knows the conversations that Odell and I have. I’m just saying it is better for him to be here when he can present his best self – emotionally, physically, everything. Odell Beckham is going to be here in the fall, and he is going to be a good football player in the fall just like he has been.”
I can't help but think there could be more to these particular points, especially when Freddie that same quote mentions the conversations he had OBJ have had. I'm not going to get too hot and bothered by it, but I did a double-take when first reading this.
At this time last year, Antonio Callaway was fresh off a year-plus hiatus from football. The talent was evident, but there was understandably some rust to overcome.
As the first week of Browns OTAs came to a close Thursday, it was evident just how far Callaway has come and how much potential remains after a rookie season in which he led the team in receiving touchdowns and finished third in yards.
No matter who was talking Wednesday, the answers about Callaway’s development made it clear how much of a better spot he’s in one year after Cleveland made him a fourth-round pick.
“He is in good shape relative to what he was in last year during training camp. He has added some explosiveness,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said Wednesday. “He has been catching the ball really well. He is doing a good job. Just like everybody else, he has to continue. It is what can you do for me tomorrow, not today; today is over. “
Tomorrow is more promising than it’s been in a long while for Cleveland’s wide receiving corps. The acquisition of All-Pro Odell Beckham Jr. was the cherry on top for a group that showed significant improvement in 2018, spearheaded by Beckham’s best friend, Jarvis Landry, who was similarly acquired via trade.
Callaway’s rookie season had its ups and downs, and the Week 3 trade of Josh Gordon put more on his plate than many envisioned considering all of the time he spent away from football. He was at his best near the end of the season and finished with 43 catches, 586 yards and five touchdowns, catching the last of Baker Mayfield’s NFL rookie record 27 touchdown passes.
An improved version of Callaway only helps a Cleveland offense that hopes to be even more potent than it was during the second half of last season, when it was one of the league’s most efficient and entertaining units.
“It’s kind of pick your poison now,” Mayfield said. “We have some pretty good talent all around – tight ends, running backs, receivers and then going in with the same offensive line. We have a good team. Now, it is what are we going to do with it.”
It's crazy to think it, but Callaway and Higgins are probably two of the biggest sleepers in the WR room. With so much attention being given to what Odell & Landry mean, it is going to be super exciting and entertaining to see to what degree Callaway & Higgins can shine.
And, heck... then there is still Ratley and Willies, too. Those guys got a little experience last year and are having their first full offseason, too. We might actually have a WR room where absolutely no rookies are able to make the squad due to the talent level in the room.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Callaway will be our #3 WR wow think about that with his speed and playmaking ability ...
John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Honestly, Callaway has as much talent as just about anybody else's #2 WR, and he'll be a #3/4 ... he played last year after not playing an entire season and having no experience ... he should be a very good WR granted he stays on the path
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Jarvis Landry might be our fourth best wide receiver if Higgins and Callaway develop more. Jarvis Landry is not bad.
I think Higgins & Callaway need to start doing the hand drills that Landry & OBJ do before they can leap ahead of Landry.
Granted, both Landry & OBJ have freakishly large hands, but they also work on using them a LOT. They've built and developed the hand strength, dexterity, and reflexes to do those crazy one-handed grabs that make our eyes pop.... and make DBs drop F-bombs. If Higgins & Callaway develop that aspect of their craft to go along with their explosiveness and route running and awareness, then it won't be long at all before Landry is #4.
Until then, however... No Chance.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Callaway has a shot ... i think he has a shot to become a true #1 ... he could be special ...
Higgins IMO has no shot at ever being as good much less better than VG ... he doesn’t have the quicks ... VG is not blazing fast but he is quick and is very quick in and out of his breaks .... Higgins is just a tall guy .... and this is not a slam on Higgins .... i like him, i think most on here over rate him but i still like him ... VG is very good ... hes not a true #1 but he’s right there ..... he’s a PLAYMAKER thats top 15 in this league ....
Last edited by YTownBrownsFan; 05/17/1901:53 PM. Reason: Added Link to Data
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I want to start a thread where we compare are receiver unit to the DB units in our division.
Teams will have their hands full and that is no joke.
U should ... u could do a series .... and include the top AFC teams just not our division ...
D-coordinators are gonna have nightmares the week before they play us ... dude from Tennessee is gonna either have a head full of gray hair or have no hair at all by September ... *L* ...
I can’t wait dawg ... i am soooooo excited ... even more than i could have imagined before FA started and ya’all know how excited i was then ... *L* ....
Made a statement awhile back that Callaway has "the potential" to be like Antonio Brown.
But that is up to him.
I was thrilled to hear the positive remarks from Freddie and Baker in regards to Callaway.
Just the basic three wide set with Jarvis and Odell is going to put AC in single or zone coverage. Depending on the pattern with no safety over top because of Odell. Callaway will draw a weaker guy.
Baker trusts AC. And that will grow over the camp this year.
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