CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns are protecting Freddie

Kitchens like he was a franchise quarterback Cleveland Browns T-Shirts , not a coach.While Kitchens waits for his interview to possibly become Cleveland's head coach, the Browns have denied requests by other teams to interview their interim coordinator who brought out the best in rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield during the final eight games.Several teams have inquired about Kitchens, who took over the offense in late October, said the person, who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the Browns are not commenting during their coaching search other than to confirm completed interviews. Because Kitchens is still under contract, the Browns can rebuff any interview demands for coordinator's jobs. They can't deny any candidate a chance to interview for a head-coaching position.The 44-year-old Kitchens emerged as a potential head coach in Cleveland after revamping the offense and building a strong bond with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who set the league rookie record with 27 touchdown passes. In his last eight games, Mayfield completed 68 percent of his passes for 2 https://www.brownsfanshop.com/hats ,254 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.Kitchens took over game-planning and play-calling duties on Oct. 29, when coach Hue Jackson and offensive Todd Haley were fired. Cleveland's offense played with a faster tempo and was far more creative with Kitchens calling the shots.Browns general manager John Dorsey understands Kitchens' value and might be able to keep him as a coordinator if he doesn't hire him as coach. It's also possible the Browns' next coach will want to hire his own coordinators.Dorsey said earlier this week he planned to interview Kitchens for the team's vacancy at some point as the Browns make an important hire following a surprising 7-8-1 season.Dorsey interviewed his third candidate on Thursday, meeting with Minnesota interim offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.Like Kitchens, Stefanski inherited an offense that was having problems. The 36-year-old was promoted from quarterbacks coach to coordinator last month when Vikings coach Mike Zimmer fired John DeFilippo with three games left and Minnesota in playoff contention.Stefanski has worked his way up the coaching ranks and become one of the NFL's rising young assistants. He was nearly hired by Giants coach Pat Shurmur as his offensive coordinator last year, but Zimmer made sure to keep him on his staff.He's the son of long-time NBA executive Ed Stefanski, now with the Detroit Pistons. Stefanski broke into the league as an assistant under former Vikings coach Brad Childress in 2006 and has been with the club since, surviving two head coaching changes while climbing in power.Stefanski's interview followed Dorsey meeting with interim coach Gregg Williams, who went 5-3 to finish the season Cleveland Browns Hoodie , and former Indianapolis and Detroit coach Jim Caldwell. Dorsey also reportedly requested interviews with several assistants, including Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores, Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell and Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni. More of the latest Browns news and notes from around the web in today’s dose of the Sunday Dawg Chow." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteDawgs EDTShareTweetShareShareSunday Dawg Chow: Browns news (6/9/19)Ken Blaze-USA TODAY SportsCleveland Browns:LeBronification of the Browns begins with Odell Beckham Jr. joining Baker Mayfield (ohio.com) - The LeBronification of the Browns has begun. Soon the parking lot across from team headquarters at 76 Lou Groza Blvd. will be filled an hour before media availabilities like the driveway leading to Cleveland Clinic Courts for Cavaliers’ shootaround, when since-departed star LeBron James always spoke.Denzel Ward’s football camp a huge hit (Browns Wire) - One of the reasons Browns CB Denzel Ward quickly became a fan favorite in Cleveland is his roots. Ward is born and raised in Northeast Ohio, and he proudly honored his hometown by hosting a free youth football camp at his alma mater, Nordonia High School in the southeast suburbs of Cleveland. Ward enthusiastically welcomed over 400 kids after a registration snafu allowed more than double the targeted cutoff of 200 entrants. Browns encourage by deep group of interior offensive linemen (clevelandbrowns.com) - With much of the attention focused on receivers, running backs and No. 6, the big fellas up front are going overlooked in Cleveland. That’s fine. But if one area deserves some examination https://www.brownsfanshop.com/James-Burgess-Jersey , it is the offensive line, which is replacing a starter at right guard and doesn’t yet have a clear-cut guy.NFL:Texans Rumors: Ex-Browns Exec Ray Farmer Interviews for Vacant GM Position (Bleacher Report) - The Houston Texans are interviewing ex-Cleveland Browns general manager Ray Farmer for their open GM job.Bruce Allen knows truth of Trent Williams’ absence (NFL.com) - When the start of the first mandatory minicamp rolled around on Tuesday, Washington Redskins seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams was not there. The big man wants an even bigger contract. That’s the onus of why Williams is missing in action.ESPN’s Todd McShay cryptically declares Jets candidacy (NY Post) - As the seat beneath Mike Maccagnan suddenly heated up around the NFL draft, Joe Douglas purportedly began reaching out to prospective employees in case he ended up filling the Jets’ GM job. Turns out Todd McShay may have been contacted.