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Browns takeaways: Baker Mayfield has already rebounded in big way – Record-Courier

Aug 16th, 2020

Baker Mayfield opened up during his first media availability of Browns training camp when he admitted self-doubt had crept into his mind during a disappointing 2019 season.

"I lost myself," the quarterback said Friday.

The good news for the Browns is Mayfield lost something else this offseason: body fat.

Everyone knows the Browns need their first overall pick in the 2018 draft to bounce back for the franchise to truly maximize the potential of its ultra-talented roster this year.

So its worth noting Mayfield has already rebounded in a major way.

In Mayfields most recent Zoom video conference with Browns beat writers, he admitted he played football at a heavier weight last season than he ever had previously.

"Looking back on last year, physically, I wasnt able to work out as much being beat up," Mayfield said a couple of hours before the first full-squad practice of camp. "I was heavier than I was ever before at a playing weight. I needed to [make physical changes this offseason] to be able to have the scrambling ability and to be able to move in the pocket."

Two years ago, Mayfield often displayed an uncanny ability to maneuver in the pocket, avoid pressure and find throwing lanes. It helped him set the NFL single-season record for touchdown passes thrown by a rookie with 27.

Last year, he often seemed to be uncomfortable in the pocket, and his footwork got out of whack, leading to uncharacteristic accuracy issues. He had 21 interceptions, second most in the league, and ranked next to last in completion percentage (59.4) and passer rating (78.8).

When Mayfield talked to the new leaders of the Browns offense coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt early this offseason, they discussed the need for him to be in the best shape possible to excel in a scheme reliant on play-action passing.

"Thats my job to be in prime physical shape, to show up and do my job on Sundays," Mayfield said. "That was definitely a key factor in that."

Mayfield worked with a private strength and conditioning coach and a nutritionist to help transform his body while the Browns implemented a virtual offseason program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"My emphasis was definitely cutting out the bad body weight," Mayfield said. "I think the bigger number was definitely the drop in weight of the bad pounds."

On Aug. 4, Browns General Manager Andrew Berry revealed Mayfield "added 4 pounds of lean mass, cut body fat" and reported to training camp late last month "in terrific shape."

Mayfield explained he has forced himself to resist the Mexican food fix he developed growing up in Austin, Texas.

"Just did a lot of healthier versions and more regimented dieting," he said. "Its just about being smart on the scheduling. Omelets in the morning. A snack and a shake after the workouts. Just clean eating. A lot of meal prep and stuff like that. My wife, Emily, has done a great job of preparing those dinners, so hats off to her. Were both going through the cooking phase right now."

During a play in Fridays practice, Mayfield scrambled up the middle and quickly popped up from a slide as if he had rediscovered the agility he possessed as a rookie.

Mayfield subscribes to the "look good, feel good, play good" theory. His physical gains wont matter unless they translate to the field when the real games begin, but at least hes feeling like himself again.

"Getting that alpha mentality back," Mayfield said.

Then he referenced the dominant, obsessive approach the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant called "Mamba mentality."

"RIP to Kobe," Mayfield said, "but trying to get that and replicate something similar to what he had to lead these guys to where we want to go."

Acceptance

Mayfield isnt the only big-name Browns player whose mental state has improved this year.

Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry said close friend and fellow wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is in a better frame of mind than he was last year after the New York Giants traded him to the Browns. Beckham has admitted being dealt rocked his world.

"Hes continuing to grow each and every day, each and every week," Landry said of Beckham, his former Louisiana State University teammate. "Thats something that being here and being around the guys over time gives you. You begin to get comfortable. You begin to be where your feet are.

"I think that hes really making this place home and accepting that. Thats something that I know, for me personally, Im happy that hes here and hopefully can continue to be here for the rest of his career."

Confidence

Rookie second-round pick Grant Delpit isnt speaking as if hes worried a reduction in tune-up time due to the pandemic will prevent him from being a playmaking safety in his first NFL season out of LSU.

The season opener at Baltimore is scheduled for Sept. 13.

"I would want to have some preseason games to kind of get in the swing of things, but we think on our feet, and thats why were out there," Delpit said. "Thats why were here, and thats why Im here. Im ready to go."

Nothing about Delpit appears to be timid, and he plans to ensure Mayfield realizes that during training camp.

"When this competition comes around, I'll probably be his worst enemy on the defensive side," Delpit said with a laugh. "Ill just try to irritate him and get everybody better. Thats what its all about competition. I know Baker is the ultimate competitor, so thats exactly what you need in a quarterback. Were just going to push each other every day."

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his Browns coverage at http://www.beaconjournal.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ByNateUlrich and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/abj.sports.

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Browns takeaways: Baker Mayfield has already rebounded in big way - Record-Courier

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