Highlights from Freddie Kitchen’s press conference at the NFL Combine

Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens was among the head coaches to speak Wednesday afternoon at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Here are some highlights of what he discussed.

The People-Building Business

• One of the big points that Kitchens hammered home during his interview is that they are in the people-building business. They already have more than enough film on these players to know what they can do talent-wise; so these days will be to see how they are as people. After they know that, then they’ll worry about the football.
• Kitchens had the same mentality on RB Kareem Hunt. They will make sure he is on the right direction as a person before worrying about how he’ll contribute on the field.

Player Notes

• OT Greg Robinson was a big boost for the offensive line last year, but what Kitchens liked most about him was the type of competitor he is, doing that on an every play basis.
• Talking about WR Breshad Perriman, Kitchens said “he’s a good football player.” He noted that Perriman had more success with Cleveland than he did in Baltimore and that they have plans for him, so he hopes they get him back.
• Speaking on the running back competition, whenever Hunt is able to play, Kitchens has no worries about RB Nick Chubb — he knows that he’s not going to back down from any competitive situation.

Quarterback Situation

• Regarding the backup quarterback situation, the team has confidence that Drew Stanton can be the backup. Kitchens pointed out how Stanton is 10-6 in the last 16 games he started.
• Kitchens felt that QB Baker Mayfield should have won the Rookie of the Year award:

Other Nuggets

• Although nothing has been set up yet, Kitchens is a fan of the thought of having joint practices with another team:

• RB Duke Johnson is a running back; there are no plans to move him to wide receiver.