Browns commit to starting rookie offffffffffffensive tackleWills in opener
Cleveland could have two rookie starters on the offffffffffffensive line.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he is 100 percent committed to starting rookie Jedrick Wills at left tackle in the Sept. 13 opener at the Baltimore Ravens despite the difficult transition Wills is making from the right side.
Stefanski said he would not waiver fromthat decision in the nexttwoweeks, whichwillinclude two practices at FirstEnergy Stadium, the second serving as a dress rehearsal.
Offffffffffffensive line coach Bill Callahan said Saturday that “rookies across the league are behind the curve” because of the virtual offffffffffffseason programand the cancellation of preseason games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ThatismagnififiedfortheBrowns
because the possibility is increasing by the day that theywill start two rookie offensive linemen against the Ravens.
Center JC Tretter underwent knee surgery on Aug. 13, one day
“It has to stop,” Mayfield said.
“Whilewe understandand appriateour uniqueplatform toraise awareness,” Mayfield continued, “We believe it is the duty of every American to peacefully standup, speak out, address injustice, especially those resulting from racial inequities and ending in violence.”
Head coach Kevin Stefanski prefaced the team’s statement by noting how important it was to have the players and their families gathered to hear the address.
“This family has some things that areweighing very heavily on their heart,” Stefanski
said, “and Iwant our players who are so mindful and so intentional about those thoughts, to share those with this city, this community, Northeast Ohio, the football world.”
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi laid out four areas the team identified to focus on to create change.
■ 1. Education: Expand on the work of the Cleveland Browns Foundation by improving resource equity and on closing the digital divide.
■ 2. Police reform and accountability: Engage law enforcementandelectedofficialstobetterunderstandwhy copswho abuse their power and commit crimes are not arrested and found guilty, support legislation that ends qualified immunity, holds law enforcement accountable and addresses the topic of standardized police training and oversightwhile also supporting the noble police officerswho honorably fulfill their roles by properly serving the community.
■ 3. Economic advancementandcommunity support: Continue the team’s work to positively impact underserved, primarily black neighborhoodsbyempowering the community through supporting black-owned businesses, improving neighborhood interconnectivity and unity and helping with basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter.
■ 4. Non-Partisan Voter Registration, Education and Turn Out: Help eliminate voter suppression, encourage everyone, starting with ourselves, toactively participate in thedemocratic process through votingwhile educating and encouraging ourcommunitytotakeaction and participate.
“You will see a specific focus in the formof concrete action by our organization, players, staffandownershipin these areaswithin Cleveland and Northeast Ohio to spur positive, necessary change,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said. “This work is critical andwe encourage everyone to join us in addressing these issues that continue to hold the Black community and our entire nation back from fully realizing the ideals itwas founded upon: equal rights and justice for all.”