Looking back at Odell Beckham’s minicamp interview session

Odell Beckham Jr. is the new jewel in the Browns’ offensive plan. Along with a good offensive line, steady TE play by David Njoku, running backs Duke Johnson, Nick Chubb and eventually Kareem Hunt, plus receivers Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway, the entire NFL is anticipating that the 2019 Cleveland Browns will be the team to watch offensively.

Donning a brown hoodie, Beckham gave this interview at minicamp this week:

When asked what his impression was of the offense:

“Words don’t really do it justice being out here. And just knowing, I’m almost giddy. Like I feel like a little kid the excitement that I have. Seeing Baker. We talk alot about this offense, but this defense is something special. And this team is really coming together, but the good part about is, it’s only June. Still got a lot of time, a whole training camp to get through. I really feel this team is going to come together. I’m beyond excited about the opportunity that I have. Just start over, a new team. I think the goal is always going to be the same - to hang banners, that’s what you play the game for. We know we got a lot of expectations, got a lot of work to do. I think we’ll get there.”

When asked when sharing the ball with some many players and his numbers drop but the team wins, how would he react to that:

“More celebrations, different ways for us to celebrate. Get to see some guy’s creativity. But this game’s about winning. I know some of us get stuck on numbers, but this is about winning. I would rather be in the playoffs then go for 1,200 yards with 10 touchdowns. To me, I’m supposed to do that anyway. So being at home at the end of the season with that is never going to be good enough for me. I’m ready to get back to the playoffs and show what I can do.”

Coach Freddie Kitchens admitted that OBJ has been learning the playbook despite not being in attendance to nine of the 10 OTAs the club held for most of May. Plus, the star receiver showed up for the June minicamp in great physical shape and ready to work. Jake Burns of The OBR got a question in about Beckham’s alignment in the offense:

When asked about how QB Baker Mayfield and himself could become productive:

“I’ve watched Baker since Oklahoma. I think it’s the confidence he carries in himself. You can’t coach that on anybody. That’s something that comes from within you, and he really has that and it’s on display - always. You have to love that about him. I’m also going to have to get adjusted to the speed, because he’s got an arm. He’s throwing that ball hard. Just catching him from the first day, it was like, ‘Wow, this is completely different.’”

The Browns hope to improve on their 7-8-1 record from a year ago. Many odds makers have them clinching their first AFC North Division title since 1989 under former head coach Marty Schottenheimer. Since the Browns were awarded an expansion club in 1999, the best the franchise has mustered is two second place finishes in 2002 (9-7-0) and 2007 (10-6-0). During this time, the team has finished last in the division a staggering 15 times.

Hopefully, a new “banner” will be hoisted per OBJ’s prediction.