Why Baker Mayfield, Freddie Kitchens are more worrying than the O-Line
By Ryan Murphy
The Cleveland Browns offense has issues, but Baker Mayfield and Freddie Kitchens are more concerning than the offensive line.
Following a gut-punching loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, the Cleveland Browns have many issues on the offensive side of the football, which include Baker Mayfield and Freddie Kitchens.
After an impressive defensive outing where they only allowed 20 points, the offense was abysmal and clunky, and they failed to capitalize on two out of three turnovers. The one they did capitalize on was only a field goal at the end of the first half.
Many people think the offense is struggling because of the offensive line. Others think it is Mayfield regressing and not seeing the field as well. Plenty of people have also already pointed the finger at Kitchens’ play-calling.
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The offensive line definitely has issues. The tackles are a problem and the interior of the line was manhandled at times against the Rams. Granted, they were playing Aaron Donald and company. However, last season the scheme and play calls mitigated the offensive line issues.
Quick five-step drops and getting the ball out of Mayfield’s hands was very effective and helped the offense average 23.8 points per game in the last half of the 2018 season. This season, they are not using these schemes. Long developing routes are being called, putting a lot of stress on the offensive tackles, which is obviously not a strength.
On a particular third down towards the end of the game, the Browns were backed up into their own end zone. On 3rd and 10, three of Cleveland’s receivers ran vertical routes. The creativity, offensive line friendly, and imaginative offense has not been there.
A lot of problems also fall onto Mayfield’s shoulders. He tends to leave a clean pocket and rolling out to his right instead of stepping up and ripping a throw. He sees ghosts and feels false pressure and decides to leave the pocket.
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Considering the struggles of Mayfield and Kitchens so far this season, the offensive line is not as big of a concern than the two people who made this offensive train move last season, failing to execute.