Baker Mayfield’s feet and a ball-hawking defense: Scribbling about Cleveland Browns’ new coaches

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt

Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt speaks with the media in Berea. (Dan Labbe / cleveland.com)Dan Labbe, cleveland.com

BEREA, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook after listening to the Browns’ coordinators.

1. I don’t remember a new offensive coordinator having a first press conference like the one delivered Wednesday by Alex Van Pelt. By that, I mean I liked it. He delivered a message to QB Baker Mayfield that needed to be heard — namely, there is some significant work to be done.

2. Most of the time, new coordinators say nice things about their new team and players. Van Pelt did that, praising about everyone whose name came up. That included Mayfield, who “is a skilled player, a talented player. I love the fire and passion in his game.”

“The biggest thing that stood out on tape was his (passing) accuracy on the move outside the pocket,'' Van Pelt said.

3. But Van Pelt said Mayfield needed to put his best foot forward — his left foot — when he is in the shotgun. Van Pelt said Mayfield has his right foot forward right now, and that needs to change. “That allows the quarterback to play with more rhythm.”

4. Van Pelt said he’s already talked about the change with Mayfield. He stressed footwork “is extremely important to me and Kevin (Stefanski). It all starts with the feet.”

5. Something was wrong with Mayfield last season. His completion percentage dropped from 63.8 as a rookie to 59.4, the lowest of any NFL starter except Buffalo’s Josh Allen (58.8). Van Pelt said 64 percent is a goal for Mayfield.

6. Does Mayfield need to be challenged? I think so. Stefanski likes his QBs to play more under center than Mayfield did in the past. He prefers to run more play-action fakes to running backs to set up passing plays. Van Pelt said the proper footwork is especially important on those short, timing throws that will be a big part of the new offense.

7. Mayfield has had a charmed life in his first two years with the Browns with his play receiving very little criticism. But the fact is he regressed as the talent around him was upgraded. It wasn’t all the fault of the offensive line. He also needs to change some things. That’s the message.

8. I don’t think calling plays is an important issue to Van Pelt. His passion is coaching QBs, and it appears he’ll also be the QB coach along with offensive coordinator. No one said it, but I expect Stefanski to call the plays most of the time on offense.

9. The Browns on Wednesday also brought out new defensive coordinator Joe Woods and returning special teams coordinator Mike Priefer. Woods and Priefer have extensive experience working with Stefanski, having coached together with the Minnesota Vikings. I asked Van Pelt if he had any prior connection to Stefanski. He said he did not. They knew some of the same people. That says Stefanski really wanted Van Pelt because it’s always easier to hire someone with whom you’ve worked before.

10. Van Pelt is important because the Browns have to fix Mayfield. They can’t afford for him to be the NFL’s second-lowest rated QB again this season. But Woods plays a huge role. He will be like the head coach of the defense. Stefanski will be spending a lot of time with the offense. That’s his specialty.

11. I like how Woods stressed he has coached in both the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. He will keep the Browns in the 4-3 defense because “the personnel is set up to run a 4-3 . . . I think it’s a natural fit.” Thank goodness the Browns at least won’t be changing that aspect of the team.

12. Woods is challenging the defense to create more turnovers: “It’s all about the ball. We have to find ways to take it away.”

13. The Browns ranked 20th of 32 teams in forcing turnovers. Woods was the defensive backs coach for the San Francisco defense, which ranked sixth. He has brought 49ers assistant coach Chris Kiffin with him to Cleveland, and Kiffin is assigned to teach the players how to get the ball away from the offense. Kiffin is the team’s new defensive line coach.

14. Priefer is in his second season as Browns special teams coordinator. He took over for Amos Jones, whose special teams were among with the worst in the NFL in Cleveland and Arizona. Priefer at least raised the level of the Browns’ special teams to middle of the pack.

15. Football Outsiders ranked the Browns’ special teams at No. 15 under Priefer compared to 31st in 2018. Priefer is challenging kicker Austin Seibert to be more consistent: “We have to not miss PATs in the Dawg Pound end (of FirstEnergy Stadium). We have to make everything.”

16. Seibert was 25-of-29 on field goals, a healthy 86 percent. That ranked 11th. He was 30-of-35 on extra points, and that ranked 33rd in the NFL.

17. Priefer also said the team needed to dramatically improve its return game. We’ll see what happens in the regular season, but it was good to hear the coordinators set some goals and at least give the fans some things to watch for during training camp.

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