BEREA Larry Ogunjobi Color Rush Jersey , Ohio (AP) — Duke Johnson wore a backpack on Monday that seemed symbolic.The Browns finally asked him to carry a larger load.Of the handful of positives to emerge from Sunday’s 37-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, capping another stormy week of change and uncertainty in Cleveland, Johnson’s two-touchdown performance was at the top of the list.After being overlooked — some would argue misused — for much of the season, Johnson was the primary focus of the Browns’ offensive game plan. He finished with nine catches for 78 yards, added one rush for eight and drew extra attention from Kansas City’s defense, which allowed his teammates to make plays.Johnson was hesitant to say it, but Cleveland’s change at offensive coordinator, with running backs coach Freddie Kitchens replacing the fired Todd Haley, made a difference.“Um,” Johnson said sheepishly when asked if the Kitchens-for-Haley swap was the reason for his rise in production. “I guess you could look at it that way. Again, it’s the same plays we’ve been calling, the same offense. There’s just certain things that coach Kitchens likes better than coach Haley did.”Before Sunday, Johnson’s season-high was four catches and there were times when he wasn’t on the field at all. What made that even more perplexing was that Johnson led the Browns (2-6-1) with 74 catches for 693 yards last season and developed into one of the NFL’s best dual-threat backs.But with Haley concerned about getting touches for running backs Nick Chubb and Carlos Hyde, who was recently traded to Jacksonville, Johnson became the odd-man out.A proven playmaker not getting a chance to make plays.Johnson was targeted by rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield against the Chiefs, and he hopes to get even more opportunities as the season progresses.“I think it is possible,” Johnson said. “Just going out there and showing what I’m capable of doing, especially showing the reason why I’m here. It was a great showing for myself, but not so much for the team and we’re about team here. We should have gotten the win http://www.brownsfanshop.com/Austin-Seibert-Jersey , that’s most important.”Following his first game since being chosen Hue Jackson’s interim replacement, defensive coordinator/head coach Gregg Williams said Johnson’s breakout was caused by a combination of things, including Kitchens and Mayfield working together for the first time.“Freddie did a good job and Baker, too,” Williams said. “Baker’s understanding of that from the read process — when a play is called as a quarterback, you don’t automatically know it is going to go to that person. There is a read definition that takes you to that person, but from Baker and Freddie, they did a good job with that.“It was good to see that with Duke. Just like what we have talked about with other people, I think he can do more and he will. He had a good fire about him, and he will continue to improve too. We need him to improve.”Getting Johnson more involved didn’t result in a win for the Browns, but it was a small step toward improvement.Cleveland matched a season-low with only four penalties, and Williams, who decided early on he was going to be aggressive, liked that his offense converted three times on fourth down.The Browns couldn’t keep up with Kansas City’s high-speed, high-scoring offense, but Johnson was impressed with the team’s character in the aftermath of Jackson and Haley’s firings.“I never saw them blink,” he said. “One, two, scores down or whatever Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , we were always in a position to continue to fight. I never saw them blink. That is good. That is what we are supposed to do as professionals. Young team, old team, I do not care — that was good. There was a lot of positive that way. Defensively, we have to play better.”Another bright spot was left tackle Greg Robinson. The 2014 No. 2 overall pick made his first start for Cleveland filling in for Desmond Harrison, who was out with an unspecified illness. Robinson not only protected Mayfield’s blind side, but handled all his other duties.“He played well, didn’t he?” said Williams, who was on the Rams’ staff when they selected Williams. “I’ve seen him develop as a young guy. I’ve seen him have his battles, ups and downs, and it’s been good.”Following the game, Mayfield singled out Robinson, who was grateful for the QB’s praise.“It felt good to just get out there with the boys, taking it to the game field rather than just practicing,” said Robinson, signed by the Browns in June. “It was encouraging and I’m really happy that he spoke well about me.”NOTES: Williams did not have updates on rookie CB Denzel Ward (hip), CB E.J. Gaines (concussion) or LB Christian Kirksey (hamstring), all injured Sunday. Williams reiterated his decision to sit DB Damarious Randall (groin) was so he can be healthy for multiple games and not just one. CLEVELAND (AP) — One week into their expansive coaching search, the Browns are huddling.After conducting interviews with seven candidates in seven days, general manager John Dorsey and members of the team’s search committee http://www.brownsfanshop.com/Sione-Takitaki-Jersey , which includes owner Jimmy Haslam, were not expected to meet with anyone on Tuesday and could be evaluating their next move.It’s possible they’ve already found Cleveland’s ninth coach since 1999 or Dorsey and Co. could be waiting to speak with assistants on teams still in the playoffs.To this point, the Browns have met with interim coach Gregg Williams, offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens, former Indianapolis and Detroit coach Jim Caldwell, Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell, Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores and Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.Kitchens has emerged as a favorite along with Stefanski, who according to several reports is returning to the Browns’ facility in Berea, Ohio, for a second interview.The Browns are not commenting on any interviews until they are completed.Dorsey had been expected to meet with former Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy, but nothing has been scheduled. Dorsey and McCarthy spent seven years together working with the Packers, and by all accounts, the two men have a solid relationship.McCarthy’s pedigree as a Super Bowl champion and his years working with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers make him appealing. But he’s also interviewed with the Jets and could land in New York.One coach no longer in the mix is New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who said Tuesday “the book is closed” on him interviewing for head coaching jobs.Dorsey has tightly guarded his plans during the search, much the way he did leading into the NFL draft when he stunned experts by selecting quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick.Obviously, that pick proved fruitful and Browns fans are trusting Dorsey to choose the right coach to pair with Mayfield.At this point, Kitchens, who revamped the team’s offense in the season’s second half Greedy Williams Jersey , appears to be the front-runner.He’s the people’s choice and players love him.The 44-year-old Kitchens is the most recent candidate to meet with the Browns, formally interviewing with Dorsey and the committee members on Monday. He got a chance to present his long-term vision for what the Browns could become under his guidance. He’s already shown them what he can do in eight games.Once Kitchens took over Cleveland’s offense on Oct. 29, Mayfield took off. He threw 19 of his 27 touchdown passes — a league rookie record — in the final eight games and Mayfield completed 68 percent of his passes.Also, Kitchens designed play calls that played to Mayfield’s strengths, allowing the mobile QB to get out of the pocket to make plays and avoid pass rushers.Mayfield was sacked 20 times under coordinator Todd Haley, and just five with Kitchens in charge.Kitchens and Mayfield also formed a close bond, something none of the other candidates could claim when they sat in front of Dorsey and Haslam. That relationship could seal the deal for the Browns as they envision Mayfield being the franchise’s face behind the facemask for the next decade.If Kitchens is hired, it’s a stunning ascension for the former Alabama quarterback, who began the season as Cleveland’s running backs coach following 11 seasons with Arizona. Kitchens endeared himself to his players with a no-nonsense approach, easygoing style and willingness to include them in decisions. While building game plans, he empowered his players by asking them what plays they were most comfortable running.And Mayfield wasn’t the only player who developed under Kitchens as left tackle Greg Robinson and wide receiver Breshad Perriman, cast-offs at recent stops, made significant contributions.The Browns think so much of Kitchens that they blocked other teams from interviewing him.Kitchens began his coaching career in 1999 at tiny Glenville State in West Virginia and was on three other campuses before jumping to the NFL as Dallas’ tight ends coach in 2006.He’s never taken his climb for granted.“I didn’t have a dad as a coach. I didn’t have a starting point in this league,” he said earlier this season. “I grew up the son of a tiremaker at Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant in Gadsden, Alabama. Benjamin E. Mays said those who start behind in the game of life must run faster to catch up, and I feel like I’ve been running fast my whole life.”