Browns: Rivalry with Giants getting hot in Cleveland as stars talk trash
BEREA, OHIO— Maybe it’s good the Browns and Giants won’t play this season. They’re already trash-talking. Comments by brash Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield and star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. created a stir at the training camps for both teams Tuesday, adding extra heat to brutally humid weather conditions.
Mayfield, the outspoken and uninhibited second-year QB, strangely took a swipe at the Giants and rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, the team’s firstround pick this year and potential heir apparent to Eli Manning.
In an interview with GQ, Mayfield said he was stunned the Giants would draft someone such as Jones, who played at Duke and was not considered one of the top QBs in this year’s class.
“Blows my mind,” Mayfield told the magazine, adding he thinks NFL teams are flawed in their quarterback evaluation. “Some people overthink it. That’s where people go wrong. They forget you’ve gotta win.”
Mayfield’s remarks were then presented to Jones, who was somewhat shocked by them because he doesn’t know Cleveland’s quarterback.
“I try not to listen to much that’s said,” Jones said. “I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that. I heard that before. I kind of have the same mindset; I certainly have a lot to focus on here.”
He doesn’t have any beef with Mayfield, which is why Jones was somewhat caught off guard.
“I have never spoken to him,” said Jones.
Following practice, Mayfield posted on Instagram that his comments about Jones were taken out of context.
“This is not what I said ... just so we’re clear,” Mayfield wrote. “I also said I was surprised I got drafted number one. Then was talking about the flaws in evaluating QBs. Where I brought up winning being important. Reporters and media will do anything to come up with a clickbait story. Heard nothing but good things and wish nothing but the best for Daniel.”
The former No. 1 overall pick is scheduled to meet with reporters Wednesday.
As for Beckham, he can’t seem to shake the Giants despite insisting he has moved on from his drama-filled days with them.
In a Sports Illustrated cover story, he said New York turned down better offers to send him to Cleveland. The Browns acquired Beckham and defensive end Olivier Vernon for guard Kevin Zeitler, safety Jabrill Peppers and first- and thirdround picks.
“This wasn’t no business move,” he told SI. “This was personal. They thought they’d send me here to die.”