On Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns had another OTA session with a bunch of big name players missing on this day. Even though the players are not required to be at the voluntary workouts, it still is noteworthy that five decided to not show up.
Those names are:
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
WR Antonio Callaway
RB Duke Johnson
DE Olivier Vernon
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On the first day of Browns’ organized team activities — Odell Beckham Jr. made sure to be present to get his timing down with his new quarterback in Baker Mayfield.
He has not been seen at the facility since before the first day of practice last week.
Last season with the Giants — Beckham Jr. attended 7 out of 10 OTAs. He also skipped the Browns’ voluntary extra three-day minicamp given to new head coaches, meaning he’s missed seven sessions of 11-on-11 team work, according to Mary Kay Cabot.
“I have never disputed the fact that it is not important for him to be here, but it is also also important for him to be mentally ready to be here,’’ said Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens last week. “I’m not giving him an out by any stretch of imagination, and nobody here knows the conversations that Odell and I have. I’m just saying it is better for him to be here when he can present his best self – emotionally, physically, everything.’’
He noted that “Odell Beckham is going to be here in the fall, and he’s going to be a good football player in the fall just like he has been. We just need to incorporate it into a team setting and move forward with the Cleveland Browns, and that’s what we’re going to become. Are we there yet? No. Whether Odell is here or not here, we’re not going to be the Browns yet. We are going to be the Browns when we line up in September.”
