Browns unafraid of sky-high expectations

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Browns coach Freddie Kitchens doesn't want his players fearing the sky-high expectations being placed on them.

"I want everybody to understand this: Our goal here with the Cleveland Browns is always to win the Super Bowl," he said. "I don't want to ever be scared to talk about what our goal is.

"If you're not going to jump out of the airplane, then don't put the parachute on. I want guys who put the parachute on."

The first-year head coach and general manager John Dorsey conducted a joint news conference today on the eve of training camp, which will be at the franchise's suburban headquarters.

All tickets for the 15 open practices have been distributed, reflecting the excitement surrounding the Browns after rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield led them to a 7-8-1 season. Adding wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon – both Pro Bowl players – has changed the perception of a team that finished 0-16 two years ago and went 635 days and 19 games without a victory until beating the Jets on Sept. 20, 2018.

"Odell is a great player, and I like great players that want to win," Kitchens said. "I also like great players that want to be themselves. I like great players that can get open and make big catches. All those things, I think he does very well. Our job as coaches is to put him into position to make plays."

Mayfield, Beckham and wide receiver Jarvis Landry attempted to expedite the process by working out together in California. Mayfield also spent considerable time cultivating his celebrity and got married, but Kitchens isn't concerned about his focus drifting away from football.

"Baker knows what he's doing, don't ever have a misconception about that," said Kitchens, who served as Cleveland's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator last season.

"Baker hasn't changed from the first day he got here as a rookie. I want him to be who he is, but also, he's a 24-year-old guy and he's got a lot of life to live. He's not going to change for anyone. He's always going to speak the truth. That's what I like about him."

One area of concern is running back, where Duke Johnson publicly requested a trade after the team signed ex-Chiefs standout Kareem Hunt. Johnson did report to camp on time.

Second-year pro Nick Chubb is the starter, and Hunt was suspended for eight games after an act of domestic violence that prompted Kansas City to release him. He has been placed on the active/non-football injury list with a groin problem.