Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Cleveland Browns assembled in Texas this offseason, with quarterback Baker Mayfield placing the invite out to his teammates to satisfy up for some socially distanced exercises.
However Mayfield didn’t invite simply move catchers like Austin Hooper, Rashard Higgins and David Njoku. The previous No. 1 total choose additionally invited backup quarterback Case Keenum for the exercises, letting the newly-signed veteran acquire some familiarity along with his new teammates and giving Mayfield an opportunity to choose his mind.
“He is a superb man and an incredible veteran man to have within the room,” Mayfield mentioned Wednesday throughout a Zoom convention name with beat reporters.
Unsure it was public information earlier than… @bakermayfield mentioned @casekeenum got here to Austin for Bakers classes with receivers and so on. Baker sounded very enthused having Case in qb room. #browns
— .@JohnTelich8 (@JohnTelich8) Could 27, 2020
Keenum isn’t an everyday backup QB regardless of his journeyman-like resume, his three-year, $18 million contract proof of that. Keenum has 62 begins to his identify and a few playoff expertise besides.
Baker Mayfield Embracing Case Keenum’s Expertise
GettyBrowns QB Case Keenum.
The Browns can be Keenum’s fifth workforce in 5 seasons. He performed most lately for the Washington Redskins, beginning eight video games earlier than the reins had been handed over to Dwayne Haskins. Keenum went 1-7 in his begins, passing for 1,707 yards, 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Beforehand, Keenum began 30 video games over two seasons earlier than touchdown in Washington with the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was Keenum’s place coach in Minnesota. Beneath his course, Keenum had considered one of his finest seasons, going 12-Four because the Vikings’ starter in 2017. He accomplished 67.6 % of his passes with 22 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 98.Three passer ranking. Mayfield used the chance to exercise with Keenum to achieve some information on the workforce’s new offense.
#Browns QB Baker Mayfield mentioned he is been having fun with Case Keenum’s perspective this offseason; Keenum joined them for exercises in Texas
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) Could 27, 2020
“I feel that may be a large a part of why I used to be wanting ahead to being round Case was that he was on this system so I can hear his ideas on how it’s taught and the way he reads it. He has been in a whole lot of techniques, as effectively, and it has not been an excuse for him,” Mayfield mentioned. “Simply listening to how he visualizes sure issues and sure reads has been nice.”
Keenum spoke to reporters earlier this offseason and mentioned he felt welcomed by Mayfield to Cleveland.
“Baker reached out as quickly because the information broke, which actually meant quite a bit to me,” Keenum mentioned, per the Browns web site. “I’ve obtained a whole lot of respect for him for what he’s carried out on the sphere and off the sphere, too. Firstly, I do know my function coming in. That’s one other nice optimistic for me. I’m going to be able to play. I really feel like I’ve performed at a excessive degree for the final three years.”
Baker Mayfield Engaged on Footwork Forward of Season
GettyBrowns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Browns new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt mentioned one of many largest issues he wished to work on Mayfield’s footwork. It’s one thing Mayfield has taken to coronary heart and he labored on it when he gathered with teammates earlier this month.
“The large factor when he’s speaking about that basically is altering my stance up in shotgun formation and placing my left foot ahead, which I’ve by no means carried out. As you take a look at locations he has been, (Cowboys QB) Andy Dalton did it in Cincinnati. (Packers QB) Aaron Rodgers does it in Inexperienced Bay,” Mayfield mentioned. “It’s only a completely different rhythm and timing. It’s breaking among the habits that I’ve had for a very long time, however I get used to it. It’s nearly repetition to be fairly trustworthy with you. You’ll be able to drill it and you will get used to it, however that’s the reason having the fellows down final week was so nice, with the ability to really translate that to actual timing on routes.”
#Browns Baker Mayfield mentioned on a Zoom name that the change in his footwork (main with left foot) that Alex Van Pelt has requested goes effectively, beginning to turn into second nature.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) Could 27, 2020
Final yr was humbling for Mayfield, to say the least. Mayfield completed the season with 3,827 yards, 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, rating next-to-last in each passer ranking (78.8) and completion proportion (59.4%) regardless of having each Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry at his disposal.
READ NEXT: Jadeveon Clowney Hesitant After Browns’ Large Provide