Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry discusses Baker Mayfield, team’s bye week: Transcript
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry met with the media on Wednesday to discuss the state of the team at the bye week.
CLEVELAND — Editor’s note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry met with reporters of Wednesday to discuss a number of topics, including the state of the team’s offense, its disappointing 6-6 start and quarterback Baker Mayfield.
What follows is a full transcript of Berry’s comments, courtesy of the Cleveland Browns Media Relations department:
Opening statement:
“Entering the bye week at 6-6. Obviously, that does not reflect the aspirations that we had at this point in the season. That being said, I think the bye comes at a really good time for us. I know (Head Coach) Kevin (Stefanski), the offensive staff, the defensive staff and the special teams group, they are all hard at work really reviewing everything from the season, whether that is scheme or personnel usage, in a manner that will allow us to make necessary adjustments that allows us to play our best football over the final five weeks of the regular season. That all being said, taking a step back from a big picture perspective, I think the next five games really provide us with a really valuable opportunity. I think oftentimes people talk about adversity or challenges really when it is convenient, but the reality is it is really important to us as a team and organization because No. 1, you learn a lot about people, whether it is on the field, publicly or privately, but also, adversity is universally important for growth. I think that is something that we need as a team and we need as an organization, and I think the next five games provide us with a valuable opportunity to grow and work through what will be a very difficult stretch. The reality of it is entering the season and entering December, you hope for the opportunity to play meaningful football late in the year, and that is something that is still right in front of us. We are going to play five teams that I think are playoff caliber – four in the AFC and three in our division. I am excited about that opportunity. I am excited to learn about how our team deals with adversity and the resolve, and that is something that we are looking forward to seeing how our group responds out of the bye.”
On factors leading to the Browns’ inconsistency this season:
“Quite honestly, I do not think there is necessarily any one reason. Obviously, at times during the season, the different phases of our team have kind of been on or off throughout the first 12 weeks. I know that is something that obviously we are hard at work analyzing with our coaching staff so that we can ultimately play our best ball in December. I think, just quite honestly, different stretches in the season have had different challenges or different issues so I do not think there is necessarily a one-size-fits-all answer to that.”
On how difficult it is to assess QB Baker Mayfield’s performance and development, given the injuries:
“I think we all know that Baker is incredibly physically tough. I think he has told you guys at moments in the year when he has been frustrated with his own performance. That being said, he has had stretches this year where he has played well for us. Look, the reality of it is he has worked through injuries, no different than other players on our roster. I know what he expects of himself and what we expect of him whenever he is on the field to perform at a capable level and at a winning level. We expect him to play his best football down the stretch after the bye.”
On why the Browns offense has not performed as well as desired, given the continuity from last year:
“Realistically, you are right – we brought back a lot of the same guys this year. I really do mean it when I say every year is unique. Just because you won a lot of games last year or just because you bring back a similar group, it does not entitle you to necessarily the same performance level or the same production level moving forward. Quite honestly, with the offense, we have just not been consistent enough in the passing game. I want to be clear here, that is not necessarily a one-player or a one-person problem. The passing game is all about coordination realistically. It starts from the play call from the sideline that hopefully has the right solutions for whatever the defensive strategy is. Then it goes to the protection for your offensive line, your running backs and your tight ends at times. It goes to your receivers being in the right place at the right time and winning their matchups. Then it goes to your quarterback getting the ball to the right location at the right time accurately. Quite frankly, there have been different pieces within the passing offense that maybe have functioned at a very efficient and high level at times during the season and other pieces have not necessarily been there. I think it has not been any one of those components, but it is something that obviously we are hard at work to make sure everything can be on the same page and coordinated as we enter the stretch run here.”
On how Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has handled the second year as the head coach:
“Kevin, he has all of the virtues and characteristics that are important for the leader of our organization. I think it starts with his self-awareness and accountability. It goes to his level of introspection in terms of the team and the job that our group is doing, and it also goes to his open-mindedness and his ability to adjust. I think he has been very transparent with you guys in terms of the areas where he has felt like our team can perform at a higher level. Again, I talk about adversity. I think Kevin’s level of accountability is exactly what you want in tough stretches, and I think our guys take their cue from him.”
On Stefanski’s play calling last year compared to this season and how opposing defenses are playing the Browns differently this year:
“Honestly, I think that is a better question for him and our expert in terms of scheme. That is not my area of expertise, but I have a ton of confidence in him as a play caller.”
On if QB Baker Mayfield is unequivocally the Browns’ quarterback of the future and can win Super Bowls for the team:
“I think with Baker, especially from a long-term perspective, you really try and take a big picture approach. Really with any player, it is about body of work really over several years and also taking into context the environment or particular individual’s situation. We have seen Baker play a lot of good football here. We have seen Baker play good football this season. I know he is excited and we are excited for the opportunity ahead of us. We expect him to play his best football moving forward over the next five weeks.”
On what Mayfield has to show over the next five weeks to solidify how the Browns feel about Mayfield and Mayfield’s future:
“I do not know if it is so much about showing me anything. Really, our focus is on winning games and playing at a high enough level that allows us to be in a strong spot in December. That is really where the focus is. I think Baker has shown a lot over the past three-plus seasons so I do not necessarily subscribe to this notion that there is something in these next five games that is of particular focus, so to speak.”
On the Browns offense regressing this season after returning 11 starters and the coaching staff and indications the unit will improve after the bye week:
“We all think the offense can play at a higher level. Like I mentioned, I think the biggest thing is really just the consistency in the passing game, which is a number of things. Again, I know our staff is hard at work finding the right solutions that will allow us to play at the highest level going into the last five weeks of the season. Again, every year is unique. You are not entitled to top-level performance just because you return the same guys. You really do have to work at it every year on a week-to-week basis. This current bye week will hopefully be a big role in that in terms of getting us back on track where we need to be.”
On believing Mayfield will play his best over the next five weeks and if that is due to the fact the team expects Mayfield to be healthier:
“I think certainly that is part of it. I think he has told you guys he has felt healthier week to week. At the same time, I expect and I am looking forward to seeing our guys work through this tough stretch, and that is not just Baker; that is our entire team. At the end of the day, we want to be playing our best football in December, and that is really our mission. That is our charge.”
On why it was important for Mayfield to play through injuries and not
rest before the final five games of the season:
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