Browns Notes: Dez Bryant, Antonio Callaway, Baker Mayfield

Dez Bryant

Regarding the Browns’ reported interest in free agent WR Dez Bryant, Hue Jackson said that he “[doesn’t] you can ever have too many good football players.”

“It’s a discussion,” Jackson said, via Cleveland.com. “We have a lot of good things going, but at the same time I don’t think you can ever have too many good football players as long as they fit and as long as it’s the right fit for the organization, for the locker room and for all involved.”

• Tony Grossi reports that there have been internal discussions about whether Bryant is actually the right fit for the Browns at this point in time.
• According to Albert Breer, Browns GM John Dorsey and WR Dez Bryant have a relationship that goes back to the 2010 NFL draft and while Bryant may not have returned the team’s phone calls, Breer there is a foundation between him and Dorsey.
• Browns WR Jarvis Landry said that he would welcome Bryant with “open arms” and believe he would bring some “attitude” to the team. (Associated Press)

Antonio Callaway

Browns HC Hue Jackson explained that forcing rookie WR Antonio Callaway to play most of their preseason game was part of his discipline for his recent arrest for marijuana possession.

“Absolutely,” Jackson said regarding whether the extensive playing time was discipline related, via Pro Football Talk. “That was the plan. It was. I was trying to make him play the whole game if we could. I did not want him to come out. . . . That was part of the consequence of what he has been through, and he knows it. That is what it was. Either you sit him or make him play. I thought it was better to make him play. Make him play as long as he could. There were a couple of times he kept waving to come out, and we said, ‘No, stay in.’”

Jackson added that he liked how Callaway handled the extra playing time.

“I did,” Jackson said. “He worked through it. There were times he had his hands — I am sure you saw it — he had his hands on his head like this, and he was ready to go to the sideline. We said, ‘[No], you are back in there.’ He fought through it, came out the other side of it and made some plays. That was good.”

Baker Mayfield

Despite an impressive showing during the Browns’ first preseason game, QBs coach Ken Zampese says they plan to stick to their plan for rookie QB Baker Mayfield.

“I think you said the right words, national hype,” Zampese said, via Cleveland.com. “We have our plan, we’re sticking to it and when it changes we’ll all know.”

Zampese also tried to temper expectations for Mayfield moving forward.

“He’s had 22 preseason NFL snaps,” Zampese said. “He has a long way to go and we’re encouraged with where he’s at right now.”