CLEVELAND — After being besieged by pressure earlier this season, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield has learned how to get rid of the football quicker and avoid talented defenders from some of the league’s best teams.
And while Mayfield has been sacked just once in the last four games, the Browns are anything but satisfied with the protections, especially heading into tonight’s matchup against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver.
“Intimidating front,” Mayfield said. “Talented. Obviously, Von Miller has his reputation for a reason. He has been doing it consistently for a while. (Bradley) Chubb has been playing great and playing great for a rookie.
“They have combined for over half of their sacks just the two of them. They have a good front. They allow their secondary to play aggressively, kind of like the Texans did. It kind of presents itself as that type of matchup.”
Denver’s defense has become known for its ferocious pass rush, namely because of outside linebacker Von Miller and his ability to time up perfectly the snap of the football.
In his eight-year career, Miller has registered 103.5 sacks, including 97 in regular-season games, and is just a combination sack of Mayfield away from setting the Broncos’ all-time record. Miller has registered 10 or more sacks in seven of his first eight years in the league, including 13.5 this season.
Additionally, rookie lineman Bradley Chubb has registered 12 sacks in his first 13 career games.
“I think stats indicate that they are two of the best in the league,” Browns offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens said. “Hopefully, we can protect and hold up. I think those guys are up to the challenge up front for us. We are going to get their best shot, but they are going to get ours. We will see how it goes.
“I have trust that the line is going to protect and I have trust that the receivers are going to make the play when he puts it in the air. I told you guys a long time ago that this is about trust and respect, and I think we are building that.”
Another thing Kitchens has to trust is Mayfield’s ability to avoid the rush and get the ball out to his playmakers.
“I think that comes with a little playing experience and knowing where his eyes are and knowing the timing of the certain routes when he needs to buy a little bit more time,” Kitchens said. “It does not have to be but six inches, eight inches. Just moving a little bit in the pocket gets him into the position to throw the ball where the ball is supposed to go on any particular play.
“I think it is something that, of course, you can learn, but you have to see yourself do it wrong, and then, correct that and know that you have to take the feeling that you have had when the play was going on and equate it to the film. Then go back and say, ‘This is the same type of situation.’ It becomes a feel.”
