Baker Mayfield talks with offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens in the second half against Houston on Dec. 2. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns' season has felt like three seasons packed into one. It's been a whirlwind of emotional highs and lows that has left many fans exhausted.
Yet, the simplest way to break down the season's results is to look at how the team played prior to Hue Jackson's and Todd Haley's dismissal, and the subsequent results.
The offensive difference, which is the side most affected by the firings, has been staggering.
Freddie Kitchens took over as offensive coordinator in Week 9, leading up to the Chiefs game, with no prior experience in calling regular-season plays. Kitchens had coached wide receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks over the years, but calling plays and developing game plans was never something with which he had full autonomy.
To say the experience has gone well would be a severe understatement.
Kitchens has taken rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield and dramatically elevated his game. Since Kitchens took over, Mayfield has thrown 11 touchdowns -- which is nearly more than any other rookie quarterback's full season total -- completed 73.2 percent of his throws, and thrown for 281.2 yards per game.
In Mayfield's time under Haley and Jackson, his passer rating was just 78.9, good for 27th out of 32 quarterbacks ranked.
Since Kitchens' arrival, over the last five weeks, he has jumped his rating to 114.4, which ranks him fourth in the NFL. The pairing between Mayfield and Kitchens has shown to be a somewhat unexpected success, and Kitchens is making a fair case to stick around with Mayfield longer than this interim tag allows.
Now, Kitchens didn't come in and reinvent the wheel. He is still operating within the system Haley brought and installed over the first two months. But usage within that scheme and the delivery and timing of play calls are making a noticeable difference.
Let's take a look at four ways in which Kitchens has influenced the offense and helped it find success.
1. RUNNING BACK PASS-GAME USAGE
In the eight weeks under Haley, the Browns had used their running backs in the passing game to the tune of just 28 catches for 242 yards and zero touchdowns -- good for just around three catches and 30 yards per game on average.
The Browns were forcing themselves into three wide-receiver sets, despite the positional limitations there with Josh Gordon being shipped away, and taking deep drops and working downfield passing game. For the most part, the running backs were distractions.
Under Kitchens, this has changed immensely.
In five games Kitchens has included the backs heavily in open-space designs and the screen game. The group has accounted for 34 catches, 330 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The best offenses in the NFL use the running back heavily in the passing game, and this has been a welcome sight and a key contributor to the Browns' recent success.
Let's look how Kitchens is doing it.
In Week 9, Kitchens found weaknesses in the Chiefs' defense and exploited their linebacker play with Duke Johnson. Here he gets Johnson open on a natural pick play where the two play-side wide receivers run inward breaking routes to occupy the man chasing Johnson. It's an easy throw and score.
From an empty set, Mayfield finds Johnson again with a pick play, and Jarvis Landry clears inside coverage so Johnson can use the one-step slant to beat interior pressure for the easy catch and score. This is what we call a "schemed up" play that works perfectly against the defense's call.
Against Atlanta in Week 10, the Browns knew the Falcons love to run "Red-2" (red zone Cover-2) near the goal line. So, the Browns run a mirror concept (meant to have identical routes run to both sides of the formation) to occupy the attention of the middle, or Mike, linebacker. Watch as he turns to his left to cover the seam and it leaves Johnson's settle route wide open in Mayfield's face for the easy throw and score.
Very similar to their Week 9 success, the Browns returned to the rail route on this short third down. They run Antonio Callaway (bottom of the screen at "X") in to pick the inside presence to spring the route. The Bengals cover it well by sending their walk-up pressure defender to trail Chubb, but the speed of the route springs Chubb to the pylon with a step for the touchdown.
This type of catch from Chubb is all the more reason why these running backs should have been more involved through the first eight weeks.
2. SCHEME DECEPTION
The NFL is loaded with great athletes. Lining up each snap with predictable play calls will often lead to more failure than success. The best coordinators in the business take their schemes and build multiple plays off the scheme to confuse defenses. When defenders' eyes get caught chasing what they think is coming from a formation and then they get something else, it can lead to major holes and big-play opportunities.
Kitchens has done this well in five weeks. Let's take a look at the original scheme from the formation, then show the scheme he has come back with to beat tendencies and predictability.
Kitchens has become comfortable moving his guards on play-action concepts. The Browns have two of the league's best guards, so it makes sense to use them in any way it creates advantages.
They often run what are called "gap-blocking schemes" in the run game, where they pull a guard for either a kick-out or a play side linebacker. The beauty in this play-action with the guard pulling is that for a solid second you really sell the run with backfield movement and upfront steps. It is very confusing for first- and second-level defenders.
Kitchens went right to the play-action counter concepts when he took over in Week 9. It's a great to provide the maximum blocking protection for your quarterback, and it really uses immense deception.
This is just the second play of the game, but the Browns use the concept to drop an easy 18 to 15 squirrel route to Landry for a nice gain.
Scheme match
Now the answer.
Kitchens knows the defense has an idea of the play call just based on formation alignment. NFL scouting reports are thoroughly processed and planned out to give their defenders an idea what is coming from an offense. Kitchens knows this. Just like against the Chiefs, he goes to the play-action counter look early, first play, to throw a wrinkle at the defense.
The motion, backfield movement, and line scheme all look the same as above, but this time the Browns dump it off on a screen for Chubb after his run-action fake. Watch the Bengals secondary all shift to the motion side and create the alley Chubb uses to spring this one for 23 yards. This sort of scheme match is so tough for a defense to cover when they expect something else.
Beautiful work from Kitchens for easy yards.
Against the Falcons, the Browns used this scheme-match principle again for success. Kitchens runs orbit motion (high behind the quarterback) to draw a defender out of the play side, and create running lanes and less defenders to one side of the field.
The tight end (aligned in the wing position) will also pull to kick out the backside end, and those two players, both the tight end and orbit motion player, create movement that causes the linebackers to shift both pre- and post-snap. Chubb springs this one for a big gain.
Scheme match
The Browns line up in the identical look in formation and run the same pre-snap to post-snap movement with split-zone, but instead of handing it to Chubb, they sell play-action only to come back to Chubb on the screen.
Watch two Atlanta defenders chase the orbit motion man and leave the right side of the field nearly vacant and easily blocked for the screen. A thing of beauty off the same scheme principle.
Now, this concept dates back to the Browns' Week 3 loss in New Orleans. As the Jet sweep has gained popularity across the league, it is a staple of misdirection and usage near the goal line. Kitchens noticed it. Under Haley, the Browns ran the jet fake toss to spring Carlos Hyde for a tough pylon-leaping touchdown.
Scheme match
You'd better believe the Panthers defense gets film cut-ups of every Browns goal line play since the beginning of the year, and this play looked familiar to the defense.
The principle looks identical. Quick jet motion with the toss on the perimeter. Except, Kitchens gives deception to the concept here. He answers that dual backfield movement deception with a wing back counter concept that is perfectly hidden from the second-level defenders.
The Browns fooled the Panthers badly with this play, as it is rare you will see Panthers All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (No. 59) commit so quickly and steadfastly in the wrong direction.
A really fun goal-line usage from Kitchens to spring an easy score.
3. HELPING HIS OFFENSIVE LINE
From weeks 1 through 8, the offensive line surrendered 20 sacks. They were on pace to be one of the league's worst. Since Week 9, they have only surrendered three. The Browns have used multiple schematic advantages to help their struggling tackles. Let's evaluate.
From empty sets (quarterback solo in the backfield) for the most part, the Browns have eliminated long-developing schemes that put the tackles on islands against speed rushers. They are getting the ball out of the quarterback's hand with speed throwing concepts. Here Mayfield hits Landry on a slant from his No. 2 alignment as he deciphers the Mike linebacker's commitment to the settle over the middle. Ball out quickly.
Even in 3x1 (three wide receivers to one side, one to the other) or 2x2 sets (two wide receivers on each side of the formation), Kitchens has emphasized the quick passing game. Here Mayfield hits Callaway on a quick 3-step delivery that takes the burden off his tackles.
Stemming from the play-action counter concept the Browns have used so frequently, is the ability to fully protect the quarterback. The scheme works in multiple ways to help protection.
First, the gap scheme allows the Browns to pull one of their talented guards around to help any edge pressure as the fake side tackle blocks "down" one gap,
Second, the run action and gap-down look slows down upfield pressure, as the defensive linemen have to honor their gap in run game.
Lastly, the concept allows the running back and tight ends to often stay in to give extra max protection.
If you keep seven blockers in, that is the best way to protect the passer. It puts pressure on the two receivers on the route to create separation and get open, but when you trust the scheme to open the receivers, it's a gamble worth taking.
Consider Sunday's opening play for the Browns offense. They run their counter play-action, then have seven men in protection.
Notice they end up with two blockers on each Panthers rusher, creating the perfect alley for Mayfield to step up and deliver a 60-yard strike to Breshad Perriman for the big gain.
Now with three tight ends in "13 personnel" (one RB, three TEs) the Browns again max protect off the counter play-action scheme. They only send David Njoku and Antonio Callaway out on the route concept, and note the time Mayfield has to see and deliver the perfect ball to Njoku on the post-corner. The counter action concept is a staple of success for this offense.
When the Browns have needed to get in the shotgun and run long-developing schemes, they have done a nice job helping their tackles with speed rushers. This was on display against the Texans, who have two of the league's best defensive ends, and I imagine we will see it again from Kitchens this week in Denver.
Here the Browns align Darren Fells (No. 88) in the wing and chip the end before he releases, and Duke Johnson helps out with the right-side end from his running back alignment. Getting a piece and redirecting that defensive end gives the quarterback vital seconds to throw the ball. This rep allowed Mayfield the time to find Callaway deep downfield.
On this rep, you will once again see the wing tight end chip before Chubb crosses over to provide inside help (where Greg Robinson struggles).
These subtle shifts in protection allow Mayfield the extra time needed against the elite edge rushers. He delivers a nice ball to Rashard Higgins over the middle with extra time here. Kitchens is helping his line out immensely.
4. GADGET PLAYS
The Browns' offense several lacked creativity the first eight weeks. The group was running a predictable, mundane offense, and it showed in their passion for the game in quotes released by the players.
Since Kitchens took over, the Browns have gone to the bag on some trick plays that have caught the eye of many around the league, and his use of the wrinkle plays has given the Browns a sense of life and enthusiasm.
Although some may say Kitchens might go to them too often, the point is to develop an offense that is efficient and your players enjoy running. He has accomplished that here. Let's take a look at some of his best work.
The Browns unleashed the three running-back wishbone from under center, and the shotgun this year under Haley. Kitchens took the concept and ran with it. Here he uses Johnson on the triple-option concept off the outside zone give. Johnson fakes the pitch and slides inside the tackle for a 9-yard gain.
Later in the game, the Browns came back to it and Johnson pitched to Chubb for another nice gain.
This one has been run at every level of football for many years. The quarterback walks away from the center acting like he is going to take a timeout or seek play clarification, and the ball is snapped to the running back against an unsuspecting and relaxed defense. Just a fun concept to throw at an NFL defense.
Although it doesn't get the short yardage needed, the concept and thought process was interesting.
This pump-fake draw brought back memories of early-2000s Boise State. In a form of the Statue of Liberty play, Mayfield pumps the screen and hands the ball deceptively to Chubb for a draw concept. The play nets eight yards and is beneficial on first down.
Kitchens really dug deep here. He draws up the double pass concept. Mayfield throws behind him to Landry, who seeks the deep ball to the late-releasing Nick Chubb. This one falls incomplete, but you could just sense the players loved the design and the idea of working these into the weekly game plan. Again, probably unnecessary given the situation, but the effort keeps defenses honest.
Lastly, the Browns come back to the wing back counter. This is a gadget play in all reality, and the Browns had already run it for success on the goal line earlier in the game. It took guts to come back to this exact same concept for a second time in the same game. Kitchens had the audacity, and it was rewarded with a 51-yard gain. Big time.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To be exact, Kitchens has put together quite the impressive resume through five weeks. There are two keys to his success:
- Development of the offense in total, as since Week 9 the Browns lead the NFL in yards per play at 6.95;
- and his budding relationship with Mayfield and the success the rookie has found under the new coordinator.
The Browns' next head coaching hire will likely be someone they trust to develop Mayfield over the long haul. But the idea that the offense can function at a high level with Kitchens opens the door to a defensive mind anchoring the position while the quarterback and offensive coordinator handle the offense's future.
Whether that means keeping interim head coach Gregg Williams or bringing in a veteran like Bruce Arians, who has already said he would keep Kitchens in place should he be hired, is yet to be seen.
We do know this:
Kitchens has made the Browns offense immensely better in 2018. There is no denying this fact.
Kitchens has a bright future as a full-time playcaller in this league. The Browns have two tough defenses on the schedule in Denver and Baltimore, and if those two matchups go well the Browns will have a really difficult decision on their hands -- a decision with Kitchens they weren't expecting just five short weeks ago.
Jake Burns played quarterback at the collegiate level and also has coached at both the high school and college levels. You can read more X&O analysis from Burns at the OBRand VikingUpdate.com.
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