Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (8.27.22)
Opening statement:
“Guys fought hard there right to the end. Proud of the effort throughout the game, especially in that third and fourth quarter. A lot to clean up. That is what the preseason is for – it is for identifying areas that you have to clean up. Way too many penalties, some missed assignments and those type of things, just have to drill down in them and make sure the guys play clean because you have to play clean, you have to play smart and you do not want to beat yourself. Injury front, (G) Wyatt Teller and (S) Grant Delpit, held them out precautionary, but obviously, we will know more on all of our guys over the next couple of days.”
On QB Jacoby Brissett’s performance:
“Obviously, we would have wanted to move the ball more consistently as an offense early. I thought Jacoby saw it very clearly in terms of coverage and did a nice job operating in the huddle, at the line of scrimmage, on the sideline and those type of things.”
On if he is optimistic that Teller’s and Delpit’s injuries are not serious:
“I am.”
On WR Anthony Schwartz having multiple dropped passes:
“I think as you know, we have talked about Anthony. Anthony has spoken to you guys. He is very accountable. I know he wants to be better. I know he will work very hard. All of our guys are going to continue to try to get better, and I know Anthony will, as well.”
On if he was happy about the team’s operation despite the result of the game:
“I think the preseason, you are supposed to set the results aside, and not just win-loss, just in terms of we want to get a true evaluation of these guys. There are things that you are doing to make sure that you are getting another rep of this or another rep of that. Operationally, I thought it was decent. Offensively, we wanted to spread the ball around and make sure a bunch of guys touched it, the skill players that is. Then defensively, some good moments. Had a couple too many blown coverages, and blown coverages can turn into seven points so that is something that we definitely have to get better at.”
On Brissett’s performance:
“Like I said earlier, I think he played well. I think as an offense, we did not do enough early, just not getting first downs. In terms of what we ask him to do, getting us into the correct plays, seeing the defense and delivering the ball on time, I thought he did a good job.”
On WR Mike Harley Jr.’s and WR Javon Wims’ performances and if they are making pushes for roster spots:
“With all of those guys, it is a body of work. It is going back to April, what they have done in practice, what they did in these preseason games and all of the training camp practices. All of the guys, they worked very hard, and we will see on all these decisions how it all shakes out. I just told the team you would love to keep everybody. The reality of the NFL is you keep 53 and some guys on the practice squad. We will work through all of those things, but I am very, very appreciative of the effort of all of the guys.”
On if he has seen Schwartz’s confidence slip at all following recent drops:
“Any and all receivers, they work very hard at this game. You understand that there are going to be drops. That is how it works. It is something that comes with being a receiver so you just have to work through it.”
On continuing to call Schwartz’s number even after drops:
“Right now, I tell you we are trying to work. These games are like out in Berea. We are trying to get reps for our guys and get work out there together. That is kind of how we look at all of what we are doing out there on the field.”
On how much consideration he gave to putting the whole supporting cast around Brissett as part of preparation for the regular season:
“It is a balance. There were guys that we held out in this game, and you kind of take it case by case on each guy. We have had a lot of good reps of Jacoby again in Berea. We feel confident in what he has been able to do with the entire group of ones.”
On Brissett being the Browns starting QB and if QB Joshua Dobbs has been given consideration to start any of the first 11 games based on performance in preseason and training camp:
“Jacoby is our starter, yes, but I am proud of Josh Dobbs. He has done a really nice job. Again, he is somebody who has worked very, very hard form the beginning when he walked in the door with us in the spring and through now. He plays well in these games. He is a very, very accountable teammate. Very pleased with Josh Dobbs.”
On if Dobbs has looked like a QB who would be ready to go in at a moment’s notice if needed:
“That is the part of the backup quarterback. That is where you have to be ready to play and you have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice and sometimes not without any reps and those type of things. Josh is a very smart player. He has done a real nice job in this camp.”
On if Dobbs’ performance has decreased the urgency for the team to find a more experienced QB to backup Brissett:
“Honestly, I would not get into those type of roster things. I would just tell you Josh Dobbs has done a great job. He has done everything we have asked him to do, and I think his teammates recognize how hard he works.”
On how tough it is to make roster decisions for the backup OL:
“It is all tough. Yes, it is all tough. Again, all of these positions, you want to keep all of them. That offensive line works very, very hard as you see every day. It is tough. These are really tough times for this team to make these difficult decisions. You trust (Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager) Andrew (Berry) and the crew with some great dialogue for the past weeks you will make the right decisions.”
On if Schwartz is in any jeopardy of being cut:
“No. Respectfully, we are going to make sure that we deal with things that are important, which are our players and how they respond to these things.”
On S D’Anthony Bell forcing another fumble:
“Yeah, it was great. It was awesome. He is a very ball-aware player. He does that in practice. We chart every single one of those, the guys that rip and punch and try to get that ball out. He is always near the top so a very ball-aware player.”
On RB D’Ernest Johnson’s performance:
“I like what I have seen from D’Ernest from the minute I got this job. He does what he is supposed to do. He is accountable to his teammates. He always makes sure that he knows what to do and plays at a high level so he has done a nice job.”
On injuries and touchbacks complicate evaluations in the return game:
“They are doing what they need to do for their team, and sometimes you do have injuries where you might not want to cover it so maybe they were in that type of scenario. We are working through it. Like I told you guys, we have a lot of guys who have done it and I trust in. We are just going to work through it and make the right decision for September 11.”
On if it nice to see a rookie like K Cade York make two FGs after missing the first one:
“I think like anybody you like to see the ball go in so it is good for him. He does not lack confidence.”
On if he has a good feel for York’s range entering the season:
“I do, but that adjusts based on the game situation, it adjusts based on the win and all of those types of things. I do think we have a pretty good feel for his distance.”
On if he was aware of York’s 70-yard FG in pregame warmups:
“Yes.”
On if he saw York’s 70-yarder:
“I did not see it, but yes. I am always, as you can imagine, talking to (special teams coordinator Mike Priefer) Prief based on the workout for everybody – how did the punter did, how the kicker did and how the returners did.”
On if it would have been conceivable to potentially try a 70-yard FG tonight:
“In the preseason? Yes, you can do anything you want in the preseason (laughter).”
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