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Kitchens: OBJ missed ‘a lot’ being MIA for OTAs

Field Level Media

May 30, 2019 at 7:48 pm.

May 15, 2019; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

May 15, 2019; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens talks with quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens changed his tune on Odell Beckham Jr. missing all but one of Cleveland’s 10 workouts permitted under NFL rules for organized team activities.

Kitchens previously said the Browns did not expect Beckham to attend all voluntary workouts with the understanding he was dealing with logistical matters related to his move from New York to Ohio.

But when Beckham opted not to attend more than one, Kitchens said Thursday on the second-to-last day of OTAs that the mercurial wide receiver has some serious catching up to do. What has he missed?

“A lot … the offense,” Kitchens said.

Cleveland holds a mandatory minicamp next week (June 4-6) and Beckham stated earlier this month that he would be on the scene. The Browns admittedly don’t know what they will see from Beckham, considering he missed the on-field installation of a brand-new offense with a slew of fresh faces.

“I just want to see him,” Kitchens said.

The Browns’ final OTA workout is Friday, but it would be a surprise to the team if Beckham were in Berea for that practice. First-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterback Baker Mayfield also are doing their best with an offensive installation that doesn’t include wide receiver Jarvis Landry. He’s nursing an injury.

“You let a guy like that be him,” Mayfield said during the first week of OTAs following Beckham’s brief cameo. “Everybody has their routine. Stick to what’s working, and for him, obviously it’s been working for a while. He’s gonna do what he’s gonna do. You’ve got to trust he’s going to be there when it matters and we know who he is.”

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