QB Baker Mayfield (9.16.19)
On the touchdown pass to Odell Beckham Jr…
It was a RPO (run-pass option) like you said, cover two shell. Just reading the mike and knowing that the nickel is playing in between number three and two. He’s going to have speed down the alley, so really giving a token fake and getting the ball in his hands. Making sure to give that ball to him when he’s on the move. The rest is all on him. That’s why you give him the ball.
On not even thinking before the throw to Beckham…
Just seeing his placement before the snap. When we hopped the back over to the other side, the linebackers kind of bumped over. Knowing that I had an even bigger window and he made the play.
On if the offense was having difficulties before the touchdown play…
We absolutely need to play better. I think that’s the biggest thing. Not losing sight that a win is a win, especially on the road, and we needed this one, but field goals early on? We’ll take points, but at the same time, we have to be able to finish those drives. We need to play better. It’s a little frustrating at times. I think I’ll be able to look at this film and get better from it.
On Gregg Williams suggesting that Beckham isn’t a dynamic player…
He said that? Jesus. Next question. Not a dynamic football player, ok.
On Beckham’s one-handed catch…
It was pretty dynamic.
On if they practice one-handed catches…
He’s very talented. He’s going to make plays wherever the ball’s at. That’s the most special thing about him. He has unique ball skills. When the ball’s in the air, he’s going to fight for it. Just seeing that it’s man-to-man and the safety’s not going to get there, to beat the ball on time. He’s making a play. It’s a great catch.
On what the offense needs to do differently…
I think I need to be better checking the ball down and getting completions. I said it last week after watching that tape. Getting the ball in our guys’ hands and just putting us in a good position. Keeping the chains moving (and) keeping the positivity rolling.
On if it was fun to see Beckham have a good game in this stadium…
Absolutely. I think he’s been waiting for a game like that and getting back out there with us.
On if it was satisfying to get a road win…
Absolutely. Anytime you win on the road, it feels good. You want to go out on the road and steal a couple of victories throughout the season. It’s a good start for us. It’s great for our mentality going forward. It’s a win and we’re going to take that and keep that rolling. At the same time, there’s a lot to learn from this one and get better from it.
On what it does for the offense to have Beckham who can change the game with one play…
That’s how explosive we can be. That’s the type of thing, like I’m saying with the incompletions, something like that was a long throw that we really had to scheme something up to protect it and hold on to the ball and throw it down the field. Just get the ball into his hands. Just get it into the playmakers hands. He’s a big difference maker when it comes down to it.
On having patience when he knows he has a player capable of making big plays…
I think it’s a learning curve needing to know when I have to take my shots and then check the ball down and get completions. It’s a little difficult at times, but like I keep harping on, just get completions.
On if it was frustrating when Beckham got taken off the field on the first drive…
Absolutely. First drive into the red zone, you want him there, especially to see what they’re going to play and how they’re going to line up to him in the red zone. You’d love to have him in there.
On Beckham coming off the field in the first quarter…
He cramped up. He just needs to hydrate better.
On if the difficulties of the night was because the offense wasn’t executing or the defense…
Once again, I think it was us hurting ourselves. Not to say that they didn’t have a good scheme and weren’t playing hard, but completions, making sure we get the chains moving, I think it falls back on us just doing our jobs
On if he thinks Beckham had extra motivation coming into this game…
No, I think that’s the difference in what we see between the lines and in the locker room. He’s a guy that’s motivated no matter what. When the lights come on on a Sunday, or a Monday in this case, he’s going to turn it on. He’s a special guy who loves when the game is played.
On Nick Chubb…
He’s our workhorse. It was a great run that first touchdown breaking tackles. I think we need to continue that. If teams are going to line up and play some of the stuff that we’re getting to see, we need to keep running the ball well. Nick can run it well.
On David Njoku’s injury…
That hurts game plan wise. He’s getting a lot of reps and doing all of the practice for it. I think we’ll look back at the tape and having Ricky Seals-Jones be able to step up when we had our three tight end package, that’s really the difference. It’s difficult. I’m not sure the severity of the injury, but we’ll see.
On Myles Garrett…
The defense played great. They pinned them back. We were able to get punts and get the ball midfield, which is why it was frustrating us not playing as well and me not playing as well and getting more touchdowns out of it instead of field goals.
On if they drew inspiration from Chris Smith playing…
I think Chris coming back to practice and Petara (Cordera)’s family being there last week was good to see. Absolutely, we’re going to play for that guy. Chris is a great guy. He always has a smile ear-to-ear. That’s what he’s known for. He says love what you do, do what you love. He’s our brother, so we’re going to play for him.
On if thinks they are just scratching the surface offensively…
Absolutely. Consistency for us is the goal right now. Completions (are) going to help the consistency and taking what they are giving us. That falls back on me. Yeah, I think we are just scratching the surface.
On Jarvis Landry returning punts…
I think we’re expecting him to take one to the house. He’s not volunteering to do it. He’s the type of guy when he touches the ball, he expects to score. We have a great special teams coach. I know he’s probably going to be frustrated on a few of those. Anytime we can get the ball in his hands, it’s a great opportunity for us as a team.
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