HC Kevin Stefanski (10.8.20)
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski:
On if he agrees with QB Baker Mayfield’s comment that defenses can feel an ‘oh, crap’ moment when WR Odell Beckham Jr. has the ball and the pressure Beckham puts on a defense that makes the offense unpredictable:
“I do not know if I would use the phrase Baker used, but I would say he is dynamic with the ball in his hands. He is hard to get to the ground. When he is in space and has the ball in his hands, defenses have a hard time getting him on the ground because he is just uniquely gifted in that way. That is where it is our job to make sure we are getting him the ball in space.”
On if can feel the team’s growth, given WR Jarvis Landry’s comment that he could feel that during the drive at the end of the first half against Dallas:
“That was our first two-minute drive of the season. It took three games to get into a two-minute. We have worked hard at it. We have spent a lot of time here at practice. The guys were on point. I do hope, though, that there is growth from us each week.”
On how WR Donovan Peoples-Jones played in his WR role in his NFL debut at Dallas following WR KhaDarel Hodge sustaining a hamstring injury in pregame warmups:
“He did a good job. It sometimes happens in a football game where you are called into action immediately, and you have to be ready to go. You have to study and you have to make sure your nose is in the playbook. Obviously, his was because he got lined up and did the job exactly how we were coaching.”
On Peoples-Jones physical blocking:
“He got somebody on the ground on that very first play. He is plenty big and plenty strong so that has to be a part of his game.”
On Beckham’s unique skillset and athleticism:
“You and I can’t do that (laughter). He is a bouncy athlete, and he finds a way to go get footballs. It is very impressive.”
On how important it is to keep the momentum going with Beckham:
“Honestly, week in and week out, we are trying to make sure we are difficult to defend getting the ball to our playmakers. We go into every game wanting to get him involved, Jarvis, Hoop (TE Austin Hooper), the backs and everybody. We will see what this game calls for.”
On what stands out about Colts QB Philip Rivers at this point in his career:
“Consistency. He can make every single throw. He has been doing it for a long time. The concepts that they are running – some or a lot of new stuff, obviously – he has been running those concepts for a very long time. He knows where the bones are buried on those plays, and he gets the ball to the right guy almost every single time.”
On if Rivers still throws it with the same velocity as past seasons:
“Yes.”
On if he has asked Mayfield if he will play until 2034, given that would match how long Rivers has played in the NFL:
“That has not come up yet, no.”
On game planning against opponents with multiple injuries at the same position, referencing the Colts’ injuries at LB:
“I do not think their scheme will change one bit, whether they have those guys or not. We expect them to have those guys. They run a very, very sound scheme. They let their guys run. I do not think it is going to change what they do it. They just go plug-and-play the next guy, and I promise you, he will be playing like his hair is on fire.”
On if he is hopeful CB Greedy Williams will be able to return to play this week and DTs Sheldon Richardson’s and Larry Ogunjobi’s status:
“Yeah, I would say I am hoping for Greedy. We just have to make sure we are being smart and listen to the medical professionals, but I can promise you, he wants to be back out there very, very badly, and he is working very hard to do that. As it pertains to defensive tackles, we will see what everybody can do today. Take in information today and then really tomorrow will be a real big day to see where everybody is.”
On if Richardson and Ogunjobi will practice today:
“We will see. I think limited, but I will get more information from (Senior Vice President of Player Health & Development) Joe (Sheehan) here in a second.”
On if the Browns considered placing Williams on IR or if the recovery process has taken longer than first expected:
“I think Greedy would think that, too. It is just one of those injuries you can’t predict it. He is disappointed. He wants to get out there. We are just trying to make sure that we are following the medical here. He is into it. He is engaged. Great to see him finally back on the practice field and around his teammates and all that, but I am hopeful that he is getting closer.”
On CB Denzel Ward playing through a groin injury and Ward’s performance on Sunday:
“He has done great. I do not know how many guys feel 100 percent right now, but he is pushing through it and he is playing well. We are counting on him, and he knows that.”
On LB Mack Wilson being eased back into the defense and if Wilson is closer this week to being fully available:
“Yeah, I think he is getting close. I think all the guys that come back, the game sometimes dictates the reps, but the way I look at it, we are going to need everybody. We are playing a lot of guys at linebacker. We are playing a lot of guys on the defensive line. We play a lot of guys in the backend. At some point in this year, we are going to need everybody to step up and play maybe a bigger role than they have right now. As it pertains to Mack, we expect his role to continue to grow.”
On how DE Adrian Clayborn and TE David Njoku came out of yesterday’s practice and their status for Sunday:
“Kind of two different injuries there, but I would say with David, he is looking 100 percent to me.”
On CB Tavierre Thomas:
“He does a great job. Out on the practice field, he is locked in at practice. Every rep looks like a game rep for him. He is a tremendous leader by example. I could not say enough good things about Tav.”
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