4:00 p.m.-Tyrod Taylor frustrated with backup role for Cleveland Browns, but has yet to request a trade
CLEVELAND -- Quarterback Tyrod Taylor believes he did enough over the first three weeks of the 2018 regular season to keep his starting job with the Cleveland Browns, but the team turned to Baker Mayfield when the veteran signal-caller suffered a concussion in a 21-17 win over the New York Jets in Week 3 and have not looked back.
Taylor spoke with the media prior to Wednesday’s practice in Berea and let it be known he is not happy about the situation.
“It’s frustrating, but I can’t let my emotions or my energy affect the guys that are around me,” Taylor said prior to practice.
“I have to be the best teammate I can. I think that’s the true test of a leader is how you react in times when things don’t go well, so I’ve got to continue to keep being the leader that I am and the player that I am when the opportunity presents itself.”
In three games with the Browns this season, Taylor completed 41 of his 84 attempts (48.8 percent) for 462 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions. Seven of Taylor’s passes went for 20-yard gains, while another one was a 40-yard play.
However, Taylor was sacked 13 times for 81 lost yards in the first three games.
“I think I did enough each and every week to put the team in a winning position,” Taylor said. “First week ended up in a tie, second week, had the game in our hands and, due to injury, was knocked out of the game in the third game. Small body of work. I definitely think that I’ve shown a bunch, but at the same time, it’s still early.
“I think, as a team, we were finding ourselves and we’re still finding ourselves now. It’s just a short body of work, but I definitely think that I did enough. I know who I am as a player. Whether you all agree or anyone agrees, that doesn’t necessarily matter to me. I know, when given opportunity, what I can do with the football in my hands.”
Taylor made it known that he has not requested a trade, but does not know if his agent has made any inquiries with the organization.
“I’m pretty sure things happen on a day-to-day basis that I’m not necessarily aware of,” Taylor said.
“My mindset is to continue to keep helping this team. It’s a new role for me. Continue to keep being the best teammate and the best leader I can be each and every day, while still working on my game and staying ready for the opportunity if it presents itself.”
Browns coach Hue Jackson is confident Taylor will remain with the team through the end of the 2018 season.
“Until somebody tells me differently, he’s our backup quarterback,” Jackson said.
After being traded from the Buffalo Bills to the Browns back in March, Taylor had plenty of excitement about leading Cleveland to better days after the team posted an 0-16 record last year. And that competitive fire is “still there.”
“Of course, I love to compete, want to be out there playing, but I haven’t thought about those opportunities,” Taylor said. “More so just focusing on getting better and doing things that I can help this team in any way. I’ll just continue to keep my head down and continue to keep working, like I said, helping the team.”
2:35 p.m.-Baker Mayfield: I have to be better quarterback for Cleveland Browns' offense
CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield has proven himself to be the type of leader that puts the responsibility of failures on his shoulders and spreads around the glory after a victorious effort.
Prior to Wednesday’s practice, Mayfield put the onus for last week’s 38-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on himself and took on the challenge of improving his play ahead of Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
“It just comes down to me not doing my job to the best of my ability, plain and simple,” Mayfield said, flatly during his weekly press conference. “There is no way around it. I have to be better for this team and be that for our offense.”
Despite suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter and a relentless pass rush that resulted in five sacks for the Chargers, Mayfield played the entire game and completed 22 of his 46 attempts for 238 yards and one touchdown, a late fourth-quarter throw to tight end David Njoku, against two interceptions.
Limited in his ability to escape the pocket, Mayfield rushed for just eight yards on two carries.
“I think that they did a good job of when they were pushing me up in the pocket, they closed up the lanes to run through,” Mayfield said. “Kudos to them for doing their job. They did it well. At the same time, if I get the ball out of my hands, then none of that really matters.
“When a play breaks down, yeah, I have been blessed with the ability to make plays. When it comes down to it, I was not drafted here to run around and do things with my feet. I am not fast, so I have to be able to throw from the pocket.”
Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry had at least four receptions in each of the first five games of the 2018 regular season, but the Pro Bowl pass catcher hauled in only two of the nine throws to come his way in the loss to the Chargers.
And Landry was not the only player Mayfield had trouble connecting with, as wide receiver Antonio Callaway caught two of the 10 passes thrown his way.
With Rashard Higgins (sprained knee) and Derrick Willies (broken collarbone) out of the lineup, rookie Damion Ratley got his first extended game action, and while he led the team with 82 yards on six catches, both he and Callaway missed opportunities to make plays in the end zone against the Chargers.
“I have always said that you can never defend a perfect ball,” Mayfield said.
“Even if the guy is covered, if you can put it where only he can reach it, kudos to the quarterback for that. Do a good job of that, and then, finding my check-downs. If they are covering people down the field, have to get to the check-down. If not, throw the ball away or make a play.”
11:30 a.m.-Browns begin prep for Buccaneers
BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns began their on-field preparations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at team headquarters in Berea Wednesday.
The Browns are looking for their first road win of the season, as well as an opportunity to erase the memory of last Sunday's 34-18 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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