AFC North Notes: Odell Beckham, Browns, Ravens

Odell Beckham

New Browns HC Kevin Stefanski has a history of working with strong receiving duos. With Stefanski calling the plays in Minnesota, Vikings WR Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen both topped 100 catches, 1,000 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns. That history has Browns WR Odell Beckham excited for what 2020 has in store for himself and WR Jarvis Landry.

“With the new coach coming in, just seeing what he did with the Minnesota Vikings for a long time with Thielen and Diggs,” Beckham said via Complex Sports’ Zach Frydenlund. “These are people who I’ve watched closely on their film, and just seeing the things that he did and meeting him and seeing where his mind’s at for Jarvis [Landry] and myself of how this will all work out, I have a good feeling about it, you know?”

Beckham added 2019 was like a slice of “humble pie” for him given how the team performed and how he had to struggle through an injury for the whole season. Beckham had surgery to repair a core muscle injury this offseason and is hoping to be healthy in 2020. 

“I just couldn’t move the way that I wanted to, so I think that’s why I’m more motivated now than ever,” Beckham said. “This is probably day nine or 10 after surgery and I’m just starting to move around and just mentally get ready for the process all over again, and just put my best foot forward. So I don’t think there’s really changing anybody, but I definitely think you’ll see a more focused, improved version of himself. Not what someone else wants him to be. And myself as well next year.”

Browns

Browns WR Jarvis Landry continued the common refrain that former HC Freddie Kitchens was in over his head last year. Landry pointed to communication as the reason the Browns never gelled despite amassing one of the most impressive collections of football talent Cleveland has seen in some time. 

“It was tough. The talent we have, everybody recognized,” Landry said via Pro Football Talk. “Knowing how close we were to getting over the hump, we never quite got there. Communication was off.”

In comparison, Landry said the communication has already been much better with new HC Kevin Stefanski.

“I love where his head’s at. He’s focused on the team, not about the job, not about what we did last year,” Landry said. “His message has been clear and it’s been one message: Let’s get ready to work.”

• The Browns will hire Fred Pagac to be their new LB coach under DC Joe Woods. (Alex Marvez)
• The Browns announced the hiring of Drew Petzing as TE coach. 

Ravens

• The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec lists Ravens S Tony Jefferson, OL James Hurst and CB Brandon Carr as potential cuts this offseason. 
• Zrebiec adds Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey and LT Ronnie Stanley are at the top of Baltimore’s extension priority list. 
• Everything Zrebiec has heard suggests the Ravens want to keep CB Jimmy Smith, but there’s a gap still in negotiations between the two sides. 
• Zrebiec writes that former Ravens, Raiders and Jets G Kelechi Osemele‘s health, desire to keep playing and feelings over his departure from Baltimore are hurdles to a potential reunion if Baltimore needs to find a starting guard. 
• With pass rusher as one of Baltimore’s biggest needs, Zrebiec says to keep an eye on 49ers DL Arik Armstead or Rams DE Dante Fowler as potential options. 
• Zrebiec isn’t sure the Ravens are willing to cross into the $20 million per year threshold for players like Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue or Seahawks DE Jadeveon Clowney if they become available. That does become more realistic if Baltimore lets LB Matt Judon walk.