CLEVELAND, Ohio – In this week’s version of our Browns mail bag, I answer questions about Kareem Hunt and more. Most of the questions were sent by our Football Insiders subscribers, who receive text messages on their phone every day with news, analytics, and more from the Browns. If you want to try it free for two weeks, text us at 216-208-3965.
Hello Mary Kay: I’m a big fan of the Browns and a fan of Kareem Hunt. I was extremely excited when we signed it and I expect great things from him this year. However, I am tired of his past, especially after the Josh Gordon disaster we grappled with for years. Do you think he’s on his last chance with the Browns? If he makes a mistake again, do you see the Browns or another team giving him a fourth and fifth chance? – Scott B from Columbus, OH-IO
Hi Scott: I think Hunt knows he has very little margin for error. I also know that they have been extremely happy with their behavior and progress since their traffic stopped in January for speeding, during which they found a small amount of marijuana in the car. I think it is especially difficult for Hunt to stay on the straight and narrow here in Cleveland, where he is surrounded by some family and friends who have not been good influences.
But he’s working hard to get past that and be the citizen the Browns want. I believe that any other indiscretion will be handled on a case-by-case basis. If it is a minor incident, it may not be a deciding factor. If he shows in the next few months that he’s staying on the right track, the Browns will likely start talking about extension. If the Browns split from him, I can see another team giving him a chance.
Hello Mary Kay: It was mentioned this week that fans are unlikely to be allowed in training camp. And you journalists? Any word on that? – Kevin, St. Louis
Hi Kevin: I think some reporters will be allowed in the camp, but the NFL and NFLPA are still working on those issues. Players can only have certain “levels” of people interacting with them, and it is unknown how that will affect journalists who watch practice. I’m sure some of the interviews will be done practically to minimize exposure. We will all have to adapt to this new and challenging way of doing business. Hopefully everything will return to normal in the next season for everyone involved.
Hello Mary Kay: Will Baker Mayfield do another small-group kickoff session for Browns players despite the NFLPA advising against it? – 216
Hello 216: I think Mayfield will be meeting with some of his teammates from now on and will report back to camp on July 24. Hunt mentioned that he planned to be a part of that, and that was after NFLPA medical director Thom Mayer urged the players not to practice together. Kevin Stefanski has said he will speak to the players and remind them to heed medical advice and to practice social distancing and other safety measures if they get together.
We know that Mayer’s warning didn’t stop Tom Brady from practicing at a high school in Tampa with about a dozen of his new Bucs teammates even though two players had already tested positive for Covid-19. If the players from that session last week contracted the virus, that could affect the decision of the Browns and other players.
Hello Mary Kay: I enjoy your work and I read almost everything you publish throughout the year. You’ve wondered about the defense’s response to the Browns’ new offense. Do you think populating the race in general and bombing the race specifically would be detrimental? Go the browns! – Christopher Wolfe, Oxford, Ohio
Hi Christopher: Thanks for reading and looking! I think an excellent career defense, including blitzing, helps slow down these prolific action-oriented schemes from the West Coast game, but the beauty of the offense is that there is always a choice if the defense takes anything away.
A running play can easily be transformed into your reflected passing play and vice versa. It’s the offense that keeps going because the defenders bite down on the run, and it opens up a lot for skill players. I’m sure defensive coaches will come up with ways to defend the scheme led by Stefanski, Gary Kubiak, and Kyle Shanahan, but with enough weapons and an accurate quarterback, it’s just hard to stop.
Hello Mary Kay: Will Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry play any preseason game this year? – Dave, Bay Village, Ohio
Hi Dave: I really doubt it. First off, there may only be two preseason games instead of four, and Stefanski will have to use those games to help make decisions on the roster and also to determine if Alex Van Pelt should decide the plays. Second, Beckham has basically said that he never wants to play another preseason game after suffering an ankle injury in Cleveland in 2017 in what he said was a cheap shot by Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Beckham suffered a broken ankle that ended the season that year that required surgery, dating back to the preseason hit. As for Landry, he probably won’t be 100% ready until closer to September, so I think they’ll save him for the first game in Baltimore.
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