BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was in and out of Berea throughout the offseason program, but largely out during the course of the 10 organized team activities practices at team headquarters over the last three weeks.
So, that begs the question, what did Beckham Jr. miss by not attending practice during the voluntary phase of the offseason?
“A lot,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said after Thursday’s practice. “The offense.”
While Beckham Jr. was not in attendance for most of the meetings and practices, he will be in Berea at least for the meetings because the three-day minicamp is mandatory for all players under contract with the Browns.
“I just want to see him,” Kitchens said.
“It will be nice to have everybody here and get them some work. Get everybody ready to compete during training camp, when we are going to start forming the Cleveland Browns.”
WATCH | Jim Donovan and Dave "Dino" DeNatale discuss OBJ's absence from OTAs and more on the Donovan Live Postgame Show.
Over 59 regular-season games, including 56 starts, in five years with the Giants, Beckham Jr. turned 622 targets into 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. Beckham Jr. averaged 92.8 yards per game, including a league-best 108.8 during the 2014 season.
Beckham Jr. has put four 1,000-yard and three double-digit touchdown seasons on his resume since being selected with a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Last season, Beckham Jr. turned in a 77-catch, 1,052-yard, six-touchdown effort for the Giants.
Beckham Jr. was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2014-2016) and two-time Second Team All-Pro honoree (2015-2016) during his five years with the Giants.
“I think there’s a lot of questions because change is always difficult,” Browns receivers coach Adam Henry said following Thursday’s practice.
“When there’s change and you’re so accustomed to doing one thing, you kind of want to know the lay of the land, where to stay, what to do, the food, the people, the culture here and how good Freddie is as a head coach, but he’s getting very comfortable now.”
Henry knows well what Beckham Jr. can do while motivated. He was the receivers coach for LSU for two years when Beckham Jr. and Landry were playing for the Tigers, and he is confident the two can wreak the same kind of havoc they did in the Southeastern Conference, but not before putting in some work.
“It could be pretty special, but again, we’ve got a long way to go,” Henry said.
