Odell Beckham Jr. & Jarvis Landry ‘both deserve to get the ball as much as possible,’ OC Alex Van Pelt says

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is undaunted by the prospect of trying to feed his two outspoken and strong-willed receivers in Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.

“They both deserve to get the ball as much as possible,’’ Van Pelt said in his introductory press conference Wednesday. “The beauty of having both of them is you can’t tilt coverage one way or the other. I had a chance with (Packers WRs) Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson where when Davante came on board, it made Jordy a better player.

"I think having two guys that really make you play it straight defensively will help. As far as getting them the ball, that is our job as the offensive staff to scheme up ways to make them a top priority in the progressions.”

Landry and Beckham criticized Freddie Kitchens numerous times for not giving them enough chances to help the Browns win and Landry shouted at Kitchens on the sidelines a few times. But Van Pelt will rely heavily on both on and off the field.

“I’m excited,’’ he said. “I see not just talented guys; I see guys who can be leaders because they’re vocal and they’re voices in that locker room. It’s our job to help them be positive leaders, and that’s what I think both guys want to do.”

Van Pelt has Baker Mayfield putting his best foot forward

He’s already met with both of them about leading the offensive charge.

“I’m very excited,’’ he said. “They’re fired up, I think, and I’m definitely excited.”

Van Pelt plans to play to the strengths of both. Although both eclipsed 1,000 yards in 2019, Beckham considered it one of his worst statistical seasons, with only four TD passes. It didn’t help that he played all season with a core muscle injury that required offseason surgery.

“The biggest thing is to find what they do well and put them in those positions,’’ Van Pelt said. “If it’s something that’s not in their wheelhouse, don’t ask them to do it. It’s just like the quarterback. Do what he does well over and over again with repetition and muscle memory, and the timing of the pass game and all that will help. Both are extremely talented receivers and I am very fired up to work with both of them.”

Browns remain committed to Baker Mayfield despite all the big-name vets available

One problem last season was that an oft-doubled Beckham freelanced to get open, and Baker Mayfield threw timing routes to a receiver who wasn’t always there. But the OC sides with Mayfield on this issue.

“You have to be at the right place at the right time every time as a receiver,’’ Van Pelt said. “The freelancing is not a big part of the system. I think there are times that you will do that to get a little creative, but the quarterback needs to know when those times are and things need to time up. The footwork, the timing of the feet and where you are in the progression is a big part of the system.”

Trade speculation has regularly followed Beckham, who stated last season that he didn’t know what they future held. He later amended that and vowed to be here in 2020.

An NFL source told SportsIllustrated.com on Wednesday that the three-time Pro Bowler would view the Jets as an ideal landing spot if he were to be traded. The source noted that Beckham isn’t seeking a trade, but that a return to New York would be welcomed.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is already on record this offseason as saying that he envisions ‘big, big production’ from Beckham for the Browns in 2020.


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