Freddie Kitchens isn't worried about the Browns living in the past or shifting their eyes too much to the future as they prepare for Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
As the Browns regrouped for Wednesday's practice, Kitchens said he saw a team that wasn't losing focus because of Myles Garrett's appeal hearing with the NFL, which unfolded while the team went through meetings, or looking ahead to a schedule that includes a rematch with the Steelers and more opportunities to put themselves in position for a run at the playoffs.
This is the same approach Kitchens has maintained throughout his first season as Browns head coach. The mitigating circumstances haven't changed a thing.
"We try to focus on what we can control and the only thing we can control is today," Kitchens said. "And in today, we control how we prepare to go on the football field, on to the practice field and how we practice, have attention to detail and learn more about ourselves than anything outside of this building at this present time and stay focused on today."
The Browns took to the practice field without Garrett, who is suspended indefinitely for his actions last week in a confrontation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, and Larry Ogunjobi, who is suspended for one game. Both players have appealed their punishments, but the Browns aren't banking on either being available for the task at hand Sunday.
"Here in this building today, we are worried about Miami. We cannot control that," Kitchens said. "We are just going to control what we control. We have nothing to do with that. Myles has great representation, but more importantly, Myles will represent himself well. We are going to continue to support him and Larry, and we will not waver with that support."
At 4-6, the Browns are officially "in the hunt" for a playoff spot, but there's plenty of work to be done. It will take more than a win Sunday against Miami, but one loss could completely derail any hopes of making the postseason. That's what makes the focus on the Dolphins, winners of two of their last three games, so vital.
"We want to be the best that we can be today and then go out and put our best foot forward and let the scoreboard take care of itself on Sunday," Kitchens said.
The Browns' offseason roster on June 28, 2021
Kicker Cody Parkey (2) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Kicker Chase McLaughlin (3) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Linebacker Anthony Walker (4) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (10) during the third day of phase three on May 27, 2021.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on December 20, 2020 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. The Browns won 20-6.
Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) during a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Wide receiver Ryan Switzer (15) during the eleventh day of phase three on June 10, 2021.
Wide receiver Derrick Willies (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets on December 27, 2020 at MetLife Stadium. The Browns lost 23-16.
Quarterback Kyle Lauletta (17) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.
Wide receiver JoJo Natson (19) during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.
Cornerback Troy Hill (23) during the first day of minicamp on June 15, 2021.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Running back Demetric Felton (25) during the eleventh day of phase three on June 10, 2021.
Cornerback Brian Allen (25) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (28) during the first day of phase three on May 25, 2021.
Safety Sheldrick Redwine (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) before a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Fullback Andy Janovich (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Safety Ronnie Harrison (33) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Cornerback Robert Jackson (34) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Safety Jovante Moffatt (35) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Cornerback M.J. Stewart Jr. (36) during a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Running back Tre Harbison (37) during the third day of phase two on May 19, 2021.
Cornerback Emmanuel Rugamba (37) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.
Cornerback A.J. Green (38) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.
Safety Richard LeCounte III (39) during the third day of rookie minicamp on May 16, 2021.
Fullback Johnny Stanton (40) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.
Linebacker Montrel Meander (41) before a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during the second day of rookie minicamp on May 15, 2021.
Safety John Johnson III (43) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Safety Elijah Benton (48) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.
Running back John Kelly (49) during the eleventh day of phase three on June 10, 2021.
Cornerback Kiondre Thomas (49) during the second day of rookie minicamp on May 15, 2021.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Linebacker Elijah Lee (52) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on January 3, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24 -22.
Center Nick Harris (53) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Defensive end Takkarist McKinley (55) during the first day of minicamp on June 15, 2021.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith (56) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Defensive end Romeo McKnight (57) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Defensive tackle Malik McDowell (58) during the first day of rookie minicamp on May 14, 2021.
Defensive end Curtis Weaver (59) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Offensive tackle Alex Taylor (60) during practice on January 8, 2021.
Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Damion Square (61) during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility, Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Blake Hance during a NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 10, 2021 at Heinz Field. The Browns won 48-37.
Indianapolis Colts center Javon Patterson (65) runs a drill during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Center JC Tretter (64) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson (65) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during the eleventh day of phase three on June 10, 2021.
Offensive guard Cordel Iwuagwu (67) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive end Cameron Malveaux (69) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Offensive tackle Greg Senat (70) during the fourth day of phase three on June 1, 2021.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Offensive tackle Colby Gossett (72) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Offensive tackle Drew Forbes (79) during the eleventh day of phase three on June 10, 2021.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on December 20, 2020 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. The Browns won 20-6.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Alexander Hollins during practice on January 13, 2021.
Wide receiver Ja'Marcus Bradley (84) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Tight end Connor Davis (86) during the fifth day of phase three on June 2, 2021.
Tight end Jordan Franks (87) during the eleventh day of phase three on June 10, 2021.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Tight end Stephen Carlson (89) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the third day of minicamp on June 17, 2021.
Defensive end Joe Jackson (91) during practice on September 21, 2020
Defensive tackle Sheldon Day (92) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (93) during the first day of phase three on May 25, 2021.
Defensive end Porter Gustin (94) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (96) during the ninth day of phase three on June 8, 2021.
Defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) during the sixth day of phase three on June 3, 2021.
-- DE Olivier Vernon remained sidelined Wednesday while he continues to recover from a knee injury. The veteran pass rusher has missed the past two games with the injury and hasn't practiced since suffering it late in the action against the Broncos.
Kitchens said he was holding out hope Vernon would be able to practice at some point this week.
If Vernon can't play Sunday against his old team, that means Bryan Cox would be one step closer to seeing the field. Cox, who played 19 games with the Panthers over three seasons, was signed last week and inactive for the Steelers game.
"I think he is a smart guy that is going to kind of immerse himself into our system here," Kitchens said. "He started that last week and I think it will continue to happen."
-- Kitchens had nothing but praise for the two safeties who had to finish last week's game because of injuries and an ejection.
Rookie Sheldrick Redwine and Juston Burris were pressed into duty after Morgan Burnett went down with a season-ending Achilles injury and Damarious Randall was ejected for his hit on Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. They were the last two available safeties because Eric Murray was already sidelined with a knee injury and Jermaine Whitehead was waived earlier in the month.
It was the first extensive playing time on defense for Redwine, a fourth-round pick out of Miami, while Burris has been in and out of the lineup since rejoining the team Week 3.
"I have been impressed with Red, the way he has come on during the course of the year and continued to get better," Kitchens said. "It started on special teams where he started to get more consistent and how he approaches his week. Sometimes these young guys have to get used to the week as far as what you do on Wednesday, what does Wednesday football look like, what does Thursday football look like, what does Friday football look like, and then just progress during the course of the week to enable themselves to have a better chance to succeed on Sundays. He has done a good job of developing his routine during the course of the week mentally and physically, to be ready to play on Sunday.
"Juston came into a tough situation earlier in the year. He was here less than 48 hours for us, played in the game and played well. It says a lot about his football character from the standpoint of being able to focus and concentrate."
