Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (8.1.23)
Opening Statement:
“Good to see everybody. Obviously exciting for us to be back up in Berea in front of our fans, which is amazing the amount of juice that you get from playing in front of your own fans. So excited to have our group out here. I can promise you the players will get a little bit more pep in their step with our fans out here. So another good day of work out here. Got some no huddle planned, got some two-minute planned – really working some different situations. The bulk of the reps will go to our starters in this practice as we ease back on the players that will be playing in this game. Speaking of the game, Kellen Mond will start, Dorian (Thompson-Robinson) will play the second half, and then I’ll get the rest of the list to you later because I haven’t shared it with the rest of the players, so I can’t go position by position, but it’ll really be backups. But there’ll be some players that have played a lot for us playing in this game because it’s a great opportunity. We get to play in this game, that’s our mentality. So we’re excited to go up against the Jets on Thursday night and Coach (Robert) Saleh. I think it’ll be a great night for our organization and honoring Joe, but we’re excited about that opportunity. But first things first, should have a really good day today. Any questions?”
When you evaluate the totality of camp, does the game day weigh more than a practice day?
“I think it’s all part of it, Tony. I think certainly going up against another team is helpful also in that you’re now live and it’s full-speed tackling, it’s full-speed pass, pro, or whatever it may be. So I think that, yes, it is a major factor of it. What percentage you weigh each thing, it’s a total picture, but certainly in the games it’s a big part of it based on the fact that these are live opportunities.”
How do you think Bubba Ventrone’s energy connects with his special teams unit?
“Bubba’s been awesome. Not surprised just knowing Bubba and what he’s about. A former player, he can really speak to the things we’re doing from his perspective. As a former player and a guy who’s been coaching for a little while in this league, I think he’s got credibility from those guys. But he’s got a great way about him and I think he’s very demanding of his players.”
You got Kellen after the cut-down date last year, so you didn’t even see him in the preseason. This is really going to be his first opportunity to get out there. How has he grown over the last year?
“Yeah, I think Kellen has done a great job. Really, as you mentioned, Chris, really just getting to know him. There was just a period of just getting to know him early in the season last year. So, he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. I’ve been very impressed with him both in the meeting room and on the practice field. And the fun part for our players, as you know, is to play in these games. So, I think Kellen’s excited about the opportunity.”
Jim (Schwartz) said one of the goals is for the defense to lead the league in effort and passion. Have you been pleased with what you’ve seen in that area to this point? How important is that to you?
“Oh, very important. I mean, that’s what our defense is built on. And I think Jim, as you guys have seen, and as you’ve probably heard, makes sure the players know where they stand in that given moment, in that given practice. So, he’s demanding of it. And just the style in which we play defense here with Coach Schwartz. That is how we operate, it’s how we get off the ball, it’s how we attack the ball. So the defensive staff has done an outstanding job so far.”
When you go over the game plan for Thursday, do you particularly use a certain set of plays, or is it just more to get these guys’ reps?
“Yeah. I think the biggest thing is you want your players to play fast. You want them to give a great accounting of themselves, and you don’t want to slow them down with a lot of scheme. I know Coach (Robert) Saleh has a very similar approach to this, so it’ll be a great opportunity to challenge our guys, but you don’t want to bog them down by scheme. You want them to be able to play fast.”
Do you have an update on Tyrone Wheatley?
“I don’t have an update yet, no.”
You brought in a cornerback with some play-game experience. Why?
“We just lost BoPete (Keyes) to injury, so really just replacing that spot on the roster.”
Kevin, you brought so many new pieces into the defensive line this offseason, but what have you seen from the younger guys who are coming back, like Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas, as these new guys come in and they’re still trying to prove themselves?
“I think it’s great, Ashley (Bastock), to have good players in the room. Competition brings out the best in people, so it’s a really competitive room, but they push each other. They push each other in the meeting room, they push each other on the practice field. You mentioned Alex, you mentioned Isaiah – two young players. I mean, they played meaningful snaps for us last year, so we’re excited about them. But it’s also great for them to be around Za’Darius Smith, to be around Dalvin (Tomlinson), to see how pros operate.”
With Jakeem Grant you’re getting a lot of return reps here. Obviously, you’re working him back in. Just how close is he and how pleased are you with how fast he’s been able to bounce back?
“You know, he did an awesome job rehabbing so we’re bringing him along. He’s hitting every benchmark that he’s supposed to hit, so I think we’ll see more and more of him throughout practice, but he’s doing a great job.”
Coach (Jim) Schwartz doesn’t seem to sugarcoat anything, especially out here. How do you think the players have responded to his coaching style?
“Yeah, I think we’ve talked about Coach Schwartz when we first hired him. He and I see the game very similarly. He’s very honest. Sometimes that can be taken as brutal honesty, but I just think he’s very authentic in his nature. He’s been doing it at a high level. I know from my perspective, I get to see a guy who coaches them hard, but it’s fair. He’s fair with the guys. He’s just going to call it like it is.”
With Dorian (Thompson-Robinson) especially, how important are these game reps for him, especially if he’s getting so many in this particular game?
“Yeah, like kind of what we’re saying earlier, every rep is important. Those game reps – they can tackle you now. They’re not worried that you’re wearing a red jersey, so you are playing the game at full speed. You have got to play fast. Everything’s going to happen faster for all those rookies that are playing in their first preseason game under the lights. So just looking for him to operate and really take an extension of what he’s been doing here on the practice fields to the game.”
How important is just the operation stuff?
“Yeah, it’s huge. You oftentimes hear with quarterbacks that he functions well, or he gets them in and out of the huddle. That’s just part of the gig. Dorian obviously, in his experience at UCLA, it’s a little bit different than how we operate. He’s done great, but certainly part of the plan for him is to make sure that when he’s in there, we’re getting in and out of the huddle, getting the line of scrimmage, making your run checks – will all be great reps for him.”
How do you balance playing time for some of the guys, especially in a game like this?
“It’s case by case. It’s player by player and we sit down, and we talk about it. Just feel like at this point with our plan, we think it makes the most sense to play some of the younger players. There will be veterans playing in this game. Maybe they’re playing for a shorter amount of time, then you get them out. But we look at this as an awesome opportunity for our young football players that they’re going to get a ton of reps in this football game against a different team, tackling to the ground full speed, all those types of things. Hopefully, different situations come up that we’ve covered throughout this camp so far. So really, that’s where the importance of just making sure that everybody knows what to do is so important.”
This also represents sort of a mini break for a lot of the veterans because they really don’t have much to do physically until Sunday?
“I’m not going to call it a break. They’re still going to get their work done. So, they’ll have a good dose of work today, they’ll get some work in tomorrow with their coaches out here on the field. The day of the game, they’re going to get a lift and a run, so every day will be a physical opportunity for them.”
Do you like where you are at with tackle behind Jed (Jedrick Wills) and Jack (Conklin)?
“I think at this point in camp you’re just making sure you get as many guys in there as you can and rep them. But I think James Hudson has been very impressive to me throughout the spring and into the summer. I have some young players that we continue to bring along. So yeah, it’s a good group and as you know, you just got to get everybody ready to play.”
Speaking of the tackles, what have you seen from Jedrick Wills?
“Jed’s done a nice job, I think he came back in great shape. He is playing throughout the practices, throughout the individuals at a high level. The intensity is there. So, I think he’s in a really good place.”
AVP (Alex Van Pelt) mentioned (James) Hudson too, has impressed him. Did you see that growth last year, you know when he played a little bit as a rookie to when he had to play early last season?
“Yeah, I think with James, as we’ve talked about back as a rookie, he played more than we probably thought he would. Right. He kind of got thrust in there due to injury, but he’s taken every single one of those experiences and used them to get better. We love his mentality. Former defensive player, you love that mentality. At that tackle position, he plays right on the edge.”
A similar question about receivers, from your young guys whose development has impressed you?
“I don’t want to single anybody out right this minute. They’ve done a nice job. As you know, we’ve had some injuries there and then Coop (Amari Cooper) was out for a minute so there were extra reps that were going around throughout there at the Greenbrier and we’ll continue here. We’ll get a ton of reps for these young guys. But they’ve done a nice job. Coach (Chad) O’Shea works them really hard. Callie (Brownson) is in there with them making sure that everybody’s ready to go from a mental standpoint. So, I think they’re all right where they need to be.”
Would you say Jerome Ford would play in this game? Or are you not ready to say that?
“Yeah, I want to talk to the rest of the team in terms of who’s playing.”
Is he back?
“Yes.”
On Thursday we’re going to get our first look at the new kickoff rules. Is there any intrigue from you guys on how that’s going to look and how it’s going to play out in the actual game situation?
“I think we’re all curious how it all plays out. There may be some teams that hold what they’re doing until week one and not necessarily in the preseason, but we’ll kind of see how it goes. Hopefully, we’ll be covering some kicks and getting some kick returns in the punt game. I think that’s a big aspect of this as well, getting some live coverage reps and you don’t love to punt all the time, but it’s okay to get some punts in. There are some punt return opportunities for all of our young players.”
With Deshaun (Watson), how much more comfortable is he with the offense here in year two?
“Deshaun’s done a nice job, as we’ve talked about. He has come back really into training camp certainly ready to go. Spent a lot of time over his break with our players, getting his mind ready for this opportunity. So, he’s done a great job.”
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