Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (11.22.21)
Opening statement:
“Injury wise, no real updates. Came out of the game OK. Looking forward, should be able to get (RB) Kareem (Hunt) and (T) Jack (Conklin) back for practice this week at some point. On the game, hard fought. Good to get a win at home. Always things that we can clean up, and we can be better as coaches, as players and as a team. That is what we are going to do. We are going to look at those things that we can improve and knowing we have a big one this week. First things first, we have to make sure we look at the tape and find some areas that we can get better.”
On the level of hope Hunt and Conklin will be able to play at Baltimore:
“I do not know if I have a number for you, but yeah, I am hopeful. I think they are both progressing well.”
On if he spoke to QB Baker Mayfield after Sunday’s game about Mayfield’s frustration, given Mayfield did some uncharacteristic things postgame like not speaking with the media:
“Yeah, I did talk to him. I know you guys are going to get the chance to talk to him, and I think he can probably explain it better than I. It is something that I know he is frustrated, but ultimately, he wants to win. He is a great teammate. He is loyal to his teammates. I think he can explain it better than I, though.”
On if he cares that Mayfield declined to address the media after Sunday’s game:
“I think all of our guys know what their responsibilities are, and we expect them to follow through with their responsibilities. Again, he is going to talk to you guys today, and I think he can explain then.”
On the Browns offense’s biggest issues in the second half of yesterday’s game:
“I think the penalties. We did not stay on track. We beat ourselves too often and then the giveaway there. We did some things that are going to prevent you from scoring any second-half points, and that is what happened. We have to score points. We have to score points, period – I think you know that – but even in that second half, we have to go find a way to score some points. We did not do that, and especially operationally with those penalties, they really hurt us.”
On if Mayfield’s status is in a worse spot today than it was entering Sunday’s game:
“I would not characterize it as a worse spot. We have talked about this, and he has talked about it. He is battling. He does not feel 100 percent and I do not know many guys that do feel 100 percent at this point, but he is definitely battling.”
On if he saw Browns players step up on offense while Mayfield battled injuries late in yesterday’s game:
“I thought there were some really good moments. If you watched the game, the guys were making effort plays all over the field. We had some big plays down the field that we hit. The run game was hitting, especially in that second half so good moments. It is never for lack of effort. I think the guys are flying around.”
On being able to end the game by running the ball effectively to kill the clock:
“In those moments, the guys played great. Just watching it with the guys just now, it is the tight ends at the point of attack, it is the receivers getting involved in the run game, t is obviously the line moving people, (RB) Nick (Chubb) is making great runs, (RB) D’Ernest (Johnson) is making great runs and Baker is getting us in and out of good runs so it really was a collective effort there, especially late in the ball game.”
On reports yesterday that Mayfield sustained a bone bruise on the knee and if Mayfield is continuing to play because a week of rest would not significantly impact the significance of the injuries and pain:
“I think I talked about it yesterday, and we will always defer to the medical staff and making sure that a guy is ready to go. Obviously, you have discussions with the platers in that same vain. We won’t put guys out there who cannot protect themselves. To say that Baker is not battling – I think you all know that – but he is ready to play and ready to help the team win, but we will always have those conversations week to week.”
On CB Denzel Ward’s performance in recent weeks:
“That was a great play that he made on that interception. He has come up big for us in the last few weeks, especially making plays on the ball. He has to continue to challenge those receivers and very simply do not let your man catch the ball – take your guy out of it.”
On his reaction to Browns fans seeming to boo Mayfield during the second half of yesterday’s game:
“I will be honest, I hear our fans when they are being loud on third down, but I do not pay attention to that.”
On if the Browns can score enough points down the stretch of the season as Mayfield is battling injuries and seeming to be limited on the field in the offense:
“To that point, if he is limited and can’t play up to his potential, those are things that we will discuss. He has played pretty well at times in the last few weeks. We will make sure that we have those discussions, and we will never do anything that is not in the best interest of the team.”
On if he and Mayfield are on the same page with the offense:
“I do think we are on the same page. Obviously, we want to make sure that our offense is scoring more points than it is right now, and I take a lion’s share – you can put that responsibility on me. I need to do better. There are plays that we just did not do a good enough job yesterday of giving the guys an opportunity. I do think that as a collective group we are on the same page, yes.”
On factors leading to decreased accuracy from Mayfield:
“You are going to miss a few throws during the course of a game. Sometimes it is technique, but it can be a combination of things.”
On if WR Jarvis Landry is expected to be able to continue to play through the knee injury:
“Yes.”
On if Mayfield is expected to start Sunday at the Ravens:
“With all of those type of things, we have to see how the next few days go. If he is ready to go, yes, he will start.”
On Mayfield making and missing some tough throws in the same game and if injuries are a factor or if Mayfield needs to play better:
“I would let Baker probably answer that in terms of the injuries contributing to that. I think we need to play better as a group.”
On opponents limiting the Browns defensive pressure in the past two weeks and if the team needs to make adjustments to create more pressure:
“Those are definitely things that we have been talking about. I think yesterday’s game was pretty unique in how much the run game was going to factor into it and some of the screens and limiting those opportunities. Definitely as we talked about going into last week’s ball game, we spent a lot of time on third down and some of the things that we need to make sure that we are thinking about moving forward so that we are applying consistent pressure to the quarterback.”
On if the team is confident LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will be able to play this week:
“Yes.”
On personally taking responsibility for the Browns offense not performing as desired and what other factors are leading to it:
“It is something that we look at long and hard as an offense and offense staff. It is never one thing. It is always a combination of things. Yesterday it was penalties, a missed field goal, not staying on the field and not converting enough third downs, but it is always a combination of things.”
On if he has discussed with Mayfield whether or not the lower body injuries are affecting Mayfield’s technique, including the ability to plant and footwork:
“It is something we have talked about. I would just tell you, everything affects everything else, but I have seen some really good throws, and I have seen some really good practice and really good moments in these games so I am sure there is some factor there, but ultimately, we just have to play better as a group.”
On if it is ultimately his decision to remove a player from the field during a game:
“Yes.”
On if at any point in yesterday’s game did he consider taking out Mayfield:
“No.”
On Mayfield’s success as a play-action, roll-out QB last season and if he has any concerns calling those type of plays with Mayfield’s injuries:
“I think it is a game-by-game type of thing. I think we called a fair share yesterday. Baker made some plays with his feet yesterday – some scrambles and had some play actions from the pocket that I thought the guys protected really well. I thought the offensive line and the tight ends did a really nice job in protection really throughout the day. It is really a game-by-game type of thing.”
On if S Ronnie Harrison Jr. was benched for the first defensive series due to disciplinary reasons and for what, if so:
“That was a disciplinary reason, and I will just keep it between Ronnie and myself.”
On if the Browns’ challenges in run defense yesterday were the same as the Patriots and Steelers games:
“We gave up too many rush yards in that second half, and it is just a matter of fits and tackling. Sometimes it is tackling. Sometimes it is tracking to the tackle. We just did not do a great job, and that team runs a physical run game. We saw it the week before where they ripped off some runs. If you do not tackle well versus players like (Lions RB D’Andre) Swift, they have a chance to go the distance so we have to clean that up.”
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