Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is the lastest assistant coach to step up to the Zoom camera and host a teleconference with reporters. The new OC covered a variety of Browns offense topics in his amiable chat.
The big focus, as is invariable in any discussion about Cleveland’s offense, was on Baker Mayfield.
So far, better than so good with the team’s starting quarterback, according to Van Pelt.
“He’s done everything I’d expect from him as a starting quarterback,’’ Van Pelt said Wednesday. “His work ethic is great. He jumps into other meetings that aren’t required, and he’ll sit in the receiver meetings when they have them and will sit in running back meetings from time to time, as well.”
Van Pelt also noted how Mayfield has leaned on veteran backup Case Keenum. He’s impressed with how well they’ve communicated and questioned what they’re being taught.
“Baker has been asking every right question that we have,’’ Van Pelt continued. “At the end of the day, we get together for live meetings. There are some recorded portions of the installation that go out, and you always get feedback from Baker, from Case and the quarterbacks … they do a good job. Anything that’s not clear to them, they get it cleared up in that meeting before the end of the day is over and then they move onto the new information that we’re installing in the next day. So far, it’s been good.’’
Van Pelt is a former NFL quarterback himself, and he’s worked with a wide variety of QBs in his decade-plus of coaching in the league. It’s a positive development that he and Mayfield appear to be clicking, but it still needs to show on the field in the fall.