AFC North Notes: Browns, Ravens, John Harbaugh

Browns

Browns WR Jarvis Landry said the decision to hire Freddie Kitchens is “a good thing” for the team moving forward. 

“Yeah, man, it’s a good thing,” Landry said, via NFL.com. “All the things that he implemented and brought to the team and the offense when he stepped in, and now he has the chance to be over the entire team.”

• Pat McManamon of ESPN writes that the Browns have an interesting decision to make regarding LB Jamie Collins, who is set to make $10.5 million and $12.5 million over the next two seasons. This would leave Collins among the highest-paid linebackers in the NFL. 
• Releasing Collins would clear $9.25 million of cap space while creating $2.5 million of dead money. 

John Harbaugh

• Ravens HC John Harbaugh confirmed that his role with the team doesn’t include any extra power: “It’s the same. It’s all we ever wanted. This is an organization that works together. We talk everything out.” (Jeff Zrebiec)
• Regarding the coaching staff, Harbaugh said none of the coaching decisions have been made at this time, but his focus starts with a WRs coach. From there, he plans to hire a RBs coach and is still considering whether to add a pass-game type coordinator. (Jeff Zrebiec)
• Harbaugh admitted that he considered coaching elsewhere, but he’s glad to remain in Baltimore: “Yes, everybody gives thoughts to those things. Did it give me solace? I don’t know. I can’t remember. I’m just really appreciative to be here.” (Jeff Zrebiec)

Ravens

• Regarding veteran S Eric Weddle and G Marshal Yanda, Harbaugh said: “I want them both back, for sure, and everybody does. Eric [DeCosta] does, Ozzie [Newsome] does. There’s nobody that wouldn’t want both of those players on our team, so we’ll do everything we can to make that happen.” (Jamison Hensley)
• Harbaugh admitted that there are “limitations” in terms of what they can do when it comes to re-signing LB C.J. Mosley: “There are limitations with the money, but C.J. wants to be back and we want him back. So, I think that’s a really good formula for a player coming back. I’m just not even going to entertain the possibility right now that that wouldn’t happen.” (Jamison Hensley)
• Harbaugh said they would like the backup quarterback to be a similar style to Lamar Jackson and mentioned Robert Griffin III as an option. (Jamison Hensley)
• According to Harbaugh, G Alex Lewis (shoulder surgery) will be back by training camp while S Tony Jefferson (ankle), OLB Za’Darius Smith (sports hernia) and CB Tavon Young (sports hernia) will need 4 to 6 weeks of recovery. (Jamison Hensley)