Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt (10.6.22)
On the Browns not being as effective with screen passes last week:
“It was just one of those days. The screen game is a big part of what we do, and we did not execute. There was a lot of potential yardage out there had we executed. That was an area of emphasis for us was just being better in the screen game.”
On if there has been extra emphasis placed on being successful in the red zone during practice this week:
“Really just execute. We didn’t execute well down there. That was disappointing. We targeted that as an area where we wanted to be efficient and score touchdowns in the red zone. First drive, we got right down there, and came away with no points. Definitely a target for us moving forward. We have to execute better down there.”
On running a hurry-up offense on third-and-1 near the goal line of the first possession:
“Any time you jump the ball and go, you often catch defenses off guard or misaligned or in a hurry to get set and not playing their best techniques. It has been successful for us many times. Unfortunately, that one, it was not.”
On signing TE Pharaoh Brown and if Brown will play on Sunday:
“We will see. We will see where he is at by the end of the week. Getting here really today for the first time and having some meetings last night, he is a guy who understands his role, what he is going to do and where he is going to play in our system. I think we can make it easy for him where he could contribute on Sunday, but it is too early to tell right now. Liked him when he was here last. Impressed with his ability to block in the run game. He gives us an ability to have a true big-Y in there that can help you in the run game and still contribute in the pass game.”
On G Michael Dunn playing TE at times and if there is a desire in wanting more of a true blocking TE:
“I think so. I think that is something that we feel comfortable with as an offense in the last two years. Going into this year, we didn’t really have that big third tight end body, and I think now that gives us the ability to stay on the field with three tight ends and be more multiple in those groupings.”
On running plays like the TE reverse last week:
“Just keeping everybody off guard really. The screen play that we fumbled on there, it was something we saw early in the week the way they drop on their play actions we might have a chance to have some space in the field, and we did. Just unfortunately, we put the ball on the ground. The reverse was a hit or miss play. Either it is an explosive or hopefully you get back to the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately, we took a TFL on that play. Always staying multiple and versatile and using our personnel to the best of our abilities.”
On Chargers S Derwin James Jr.:
“He is definitely a guy you definitely have to be aware of both in the run game, the pass game and the pressure game when he does blitz. We need to treat him like he is a linebacker type. He is not a DB in our minds. We have plans for him. Obviously in the run game, it is important to make sure you understand where he is and who has him in the scheme. He is a guy early on who we have isolated as, ‘Hey, we need to make sure we know where No. 3 is at all times.’”
On if the Browns will need to chip Chargers LB Khalil Mack often:
“He is a difference maker in the pass game. I don’t think it would be fair to ask any tackle to block him one on one for a full game so there will be times when we maybe potentially chip on his side or both sides. It is nothing different from many other of our plans. We feel good about our matchups, and we like our tackles, but we always look to help.”
On NFL comparisons for Mack:
“Putting me on the spot there. I know that he is powerful. He is a little different than most. He reminds me a little bit of No. 97 (Falcons DL Grady Jarrett) last week because of his ability to bend, his athleticism and then he brings that extreme power to push the pocket and collapse it. Obviously a really good player and has been for a long time. He is the other one when you look at the defense when we talk about them early in the week, we have to definitely have to know where No. 52 and No. 3 are.”
On how signing Brown may affect TE Harrison Bryant:
“You would have to talk to (Head) Coach (Kevin Stefanski) about that one. Just glad that Pharaoh is in the building now and excited to see what he can do in the future.”
On T Jedrick Wills Jr.’s performance this season:
“I think Jed probably played one of his best games of the year for us last [week]. He was physical. He was really good in pass pro and strong in the run game. Like where he is at right now coming off of his best performance. Expect him to continue to that. Like I said, it is going to be a great matchup. Regardless of who Mack is on, it will be a good matchup for both of those guys.”
On if he has seen the desired consistent effort from Wills:
“Yeah, last week, really the arrow is extremely high and going up. Feel real good about where Jed is. He played at a high level last week.”
On how the Chargers have adjusted to Chargers OLB Joey Bosa being unavailable due to injury:
“(Chargers LB Kyle) Van Noy has been more of an edge rusher than in the past. He gets on the edge. He played in the box a little bit. Now he is probably going to be more on the edge in that regard. (Chargers DE Chris) Rumph (II) No, 94 will be out there on the edge, as well. They are trying to find people to replace that guy, but obviously, he is a dominant player, as well. We will be ready for whoever they put out there on the edge, but it favors us to not have Bosa in there because to have those two edges would be a long game.”
On how much the team gameplans for and considers making fourth down attempts:
“I think we live and die by the analytics and whatever gives us the best chance to win that game in that situation. I think we are always going to be aggressive. That is just our style. They say it is green and it is green, we are going.”
On how much the opponent impacts considering when to go for it on fourth down or not while understanding the team wants to be aggressive:
“That would be a question for (Head) Coach (Kevin Stefanski), as well. I don’t think it has anything to do with that. I think you are or you aren’t, and we are so we did.”
On being open to passing the ball on short-and-goal as was done against the Falcons last week:
“Felt really good about the call at the time. Had repped that play for multiple weeks leading up to that game, and it was ready to come off the call sheet. Felt good about it. They gave us an un-scouted look that we have not seen. Ideally, there in that situation you would like to just throw it away and get the ball out your hands. Unfortunately, we take a holding penalty, and it backs us up. That one was tough. The call was great. Just the look wasn’t what we expected.”
On C Ethan Pocic:
“He is quietly playing extremely well. There are not a lot of glaring issues in his game at all. He has really stepped in and not missed a beat. Does a great job of getting everybody directed in the run game. Rarely is there a situation where we are unsure of where we are going and who guys are going to. He is really good in communication. Understands our protection schemes extremely well. Gets us in the right calls in protection, as well. Physically, he is playing well right now. Really happen with where Ethan is.”
On if Brissett being big and tell helps with QB sneaks:
“Big and tall and heavy (laughter)? Some guys have a knack for doing it. (Buccaneers QB) Tom Brady is a guy that he watched do it, and I think he learned a lot from Tom. He has the size and the strength to push a pocket. It is a really good call. The percentages of getting the first down on a quarterback sneak are extremely high. Playing percentages, it is a very safe call for us. Do you want to live in that all the time? Obviously, we need some tendencies breakers here or there, but we feel like if we call the sneak, we have a real high percentage change of picking it up with his abilities and our line up front.”
On how much the interior Browns OL helps on QB sneaks:
“It is huge. It is as big of part of any of it. Jacoby is really savvy in where he picks and chooses to hit it. Certain fronts will dictate and it goes a little bit wider. There are a lot of nuances that go into that scheme, but you have to have the guys up front to push those guys off the ball. If we can get those guys a yard off the ball, he will do the rest.”
On indications Brissett will bounce back this week after a few missed opportunities last week:
“I think the first thing is the accountability. He is not hiding from anything. He understands he has to play better in those situations, the ones you mentioned, and I know he will moving forward. I don’t ever worry about Jacoby.”
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