Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (1.2.25)
Opening Statement:
“Okay, good, crisp day out there, got some work in and then we’re getting on that airplane tomorrow, play a good team, a divisional opponent that we know well. We’re excited about the opportunity to go up against them. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to compete. So, put some finishing touches with some meetings the next few days and then we’ll be playing Saturday afternoon. Look forward to it. But with that, I’ll take any questions.”
Who will be your starting quarterback?
“I’m not going to announce it right this minute. I want to talk to those guys about the plan and then I’ll let you guys know.”
Do you still plan to use both quarterbacks?
“I do.”
Is that something you will be informing them of today?
“Yeah, today.”
It looked like Dalvin (Tomlinson) walked off yesterday during practice. Did he avoid anything major there?
“Yeah, I’d say avoided major, yeah.”
How did it go this week with both Bailey (Zappe) and DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) rotating?
“Good. There’s a limited number of reps to get guys ready, and that’s just the nature of the beast. Wanted to see both of those guys with the first group and see how they operate and those type of things. The story or the nature of backup quarterback play is you have to be ready to roll whether you know you’re starting; don’t know you’re starting. You could play number one of the game, somebody needs a shoelace you got to go in there. You got to always be ready at that position. That’s just part of that; it’s dealing with uncertainty. So, I thought both guys handled that part really well. I know, like anybody, you’d love to know what the exact plan is, but that’s life in the big city.”
With Denzel (Ward) missing this game so his season is done and what did you see from him this year? What has he meant to this defense?
“Yeah, obviously disappointed with this injury, but can’t take away from how well he’s played this season. Teams don’t often throw his way. When they do, it’s not oftentimes successful. He’s just got that innate ability to defend the other team’s best guy typically. So, really proud of how he played. I think there’s always room to improve. I think Denzel would tell you there’s always room to improve but played at a really high level.”
The same thing with David (Njoku), just with his season being over now, just all the injuries he had to battle through this year. How unfortunate was that considering the year he had in 2023?
“Right, yeah, I think he’s always looking to build on some really high moments there. So, part of that is just getting healthy and being able to do it.”
How serious is Denzel’s injury?
“Yeah, serious enough to keep him out of this one, but for the long term, I think he’ll be okay.”
I know you said the other day, Kevin, that if guys are healthy that they would play. But with the long list of questionable guys, are you more inclined to sit them out Saturday?
“I wouldn’t say it that way. I think if the questionable guys are healthy enough to play, they’ll play.”
Along those lines, will guys play a full snap load? Will you kind of mix it up? How do you plan to approach that?
“We have a normal rotation plan for a lot of the guys, but we’ll see how it goes.”
This is Jerry Jeudy’s first Pro Bowl. Can you just reflect on the season he had for you?
“Yeah, I’m excited for him to finish strong. I think he’s proven to be the guy we thought he was when AB (Andrew Berry) went out and acquired him. He’s a very, very good separator, very intelligent, which I knew that coming into this, and that has allowed us to move him around the formation. Has made a lot of big plays for this football team in a variety of ways. I think Jerry’s a really versatile player.”
If Dalvin doesn’t play, it feels like you could have two rookies getting a ton of time, Mike (Hall Jr.) and Jowon (Briggs). How have you seen those two guys lately and what kind of challenge is it facing such a big-time offense?
“Sure, it’s a challenge in of itself just going up against a very good offense. But the young guys, we have confidence in them. I think they continue to get better. You mentioned Jowon and Mike, I think those are two young players that are just getting better with every single rep.”
Along those lines, a lot of times you see a situation like that where one team’s at least got playoff — they’ll rest their starters. Meanwhile, you’re playing some young guys. Is this maybe best-case scenario in terms of big picture scene Maybe adding another really quality film for those guys against a quality opponent?
“I think all those reps matter. I really believe that. With some young guys, sometimes they get more reps in the middle of the year, toward the end of the year due to injury, an opportunity comes up or they carve themselves a role. But every one of these reps matter.”
Myles (Garrett) still has a chance to get the sack title, considering he’s tied for the lead. I mean, he got Defensive Player of the Year last year. To get that for the first time, what would it mean and how do those individual accolades help?
“Yeah, I mean, you guys would have to help me because if he won the award last year playing it the way he played last year, I don’t see how he’s not the best defensive player in the game this year. Whatever metric you want to measure that by, if you want to go with the eye test, I think everybody would agree. I think if you want to go with the advanced metrics and look at the pressure numbers and the times that he’s getting double teamed and slides are going his way, that’s the piece to me that I think is so impressive and remarkable is he’s doing all this with getting all of the attention from the other team. It’s like a degree of difficulty that he’s able to lead the league in sacks and tackles for loss with all that attention. It should be impossible. So, that just speaks to the caliber he’s playing at. I don’t have a vote in it, but I don’t see how he’s not the best defensive player in the National Football League again.”
I know you were asked about Jerry making Pro Bowl, but you ended up with three guys going to the Pro Bowl, six different alternates as well. I guess just what to say about the individual players you have, and seems kind of tough to kind of square that with the lack of team success?
“Well, I think first of all, when it comes to individual success, we want that for all of our guys. It’s a great reflection on their teammates when you get individual success. Every single one of those guys would tell you that’s not the most important thing. They understand that winning, the team comes first, and I know they would all trade that for success as a team.”
Closing Statement:
“So, one of your colleagues here is retiring after 26 years at the AP (Associated Press) covering the Browns. So, I just want to acknowledge Mr. Tom Withers, who’s the best in the business, so professional. Nobody can beat him when it comes to his encyclopedic knowledge of music and sports. But you do it the right way. I appreciate you. I know this group appreciates you. So, let’s hear from Mr. Tom Withers, guys.”