NFL notebook: Browns coach Kitchens changes tune on OBJ

[May 31, 2019]  Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens changed his tune on Odell Beckham Jr. missing all but one of Cleveland's 10 workouts permitted under NFL rules for organized team activities.

Kitchens previously said the Browns did not expect Beckham to attend all voluntary workouts with the understanding he was dealing with logistical matters related to his move from New York to Ohio.

But when Beckham opted not to attend more than one, Kitchens said Thursday on the second-to-last day of OTAs that the mercurial wide receiver has some serious catching up to do. What has he missed?

"A lot ... the offense," Kitchens said. Later he added of Beckham, "I just want to see him."

--Quarterback Nick Foles is back at organized team activities with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Foles was away from the team this week to be with his wife and daughter as the family mourned their miscarriage. Foles' wife, Tori, posted a faith-filled message to Instagram explaining what the family was experiencing.

Head coach Doug Marrone said Tuesday that the Jaguars were planning to give Foles as much time as he needed with his family while dealing with a personal matter.

--Philadelphia Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas, a close friend of New York Jets head coach and acting general manager Adam Gase, is viewed as the favorite for the Jets' general manager vacancy that was created when Mike Maccagnan was fired on May 15.

Peyton Manning said this week he was never contacted by the Jets about the opening. The possible interest was rumored thanks in part to Manning having played under Gase with the Denver Broncos and helping instruct Gase's quarterbacks in the offseason since retiring.

With interviews beginning this week, Seattle Seahawks co-director of player personnel Scott Fitterer was scheduled for the first interview among known candidates on Thursday. Chicago Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly and Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton are also on the list, with others expected to be contacted, per multiple reports.

--The Seahawks sued former second-round draft pick Malik McDowell, seeking to recoup nearly $800,000 in bonus money after the defensive tackle suffered a non-football injury and never played for the team.

Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens yells a play to the team during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

McDowell, a Michigan State product, was the Seahawks' second-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft and received signing bonuses totaling nearly $2.4 million before suffering serious injuries in an ATV accident in July 2017.

The Seahawks placed him on the non-football injury list and finally waived him in March. An arbitrator ruled that the Seahawks were entitled to be repaid all bonus money. But through an agreement with McDowell and the NFL Players Association, the Seahawks agreed to pursue repayment of only a portion of the money -- $799,238, according to the lawsuit filed in a Michigan federal court and obtained by multiple news outlets.

--Retired NFL fullback Jameel Cook was sentenced to 10 years of probation after he admitted to stealing $105,000 from a fund for NFL players.

The Harris County (Texas) District Attorney's Office said that between March 2016 and September 2017, Cook filed 30 false claims for medical expenses with the NFL. Cook, 40, pleaded guilty to the charge of securing the execution of documents by deception. In addition to serving probation, he must perform 160 hours of community service, repay the money and pay restitution.

Cook, an Illinois product, was a sixth-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001. He spent five seasons with the Buccaneers, then two with the Houston Texans, and ended his career back in Tampa Bay in 2008. In 109 career games, he rushed for just 43 yards but caught 84 passes out of the backfield for 510 yards and three touchdowns.

--Field Level Media

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