Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (8.28.24)
Denzel Ward back out there today. Just how good was it to see him out there and how’s he doing?
“Yeah, he’s doing well, as you know. He’s progressing. Certain benchmarks you need to hit and that type of thing, but he’s doing well.”
Has he been actually cleared from the protocol yet or just cleared to practice today, do you know?
“Yeah, I would — clear to practice.”
And (Jack) Conklin?
“All part of just ramping him up.”
I know you signed or brought back Rex Sunahara on the practice squad. Is there any worry that Charley (Hughlett) won’t be able to snap week one?
“No.”
And were you happy to see Mike Woods and some of the younger receivers, (James) Proche and Jaelon (Darden) back?
“Yeah, good to have a lot of these guys back. You know, Mary Kay (Cabot), that’s a tough day yesterday. It can be emotional for a lot of guys, but just to have them back and on the field and we missed them for a day there, but good to have them back.”
We’re talking to Dalvin Tomlinson here. What did he do for you last year?
“Provided great leadership in the defensive line room, number one. Played well for us. Obviously, he’s a force up there in the middle of our defense. But, you know, he fits who we are, fits us culturally. So, again, excited to have 94 back out there.”
I know you said last time you got asked about Denzel, that you trust the medical staff as far as him continuing to play despite the number of concussions. Is that something you and he have ever talked about?
“I wouldn’t get into specifics to things that we talk about other than to say, I continue to have a lot of faith in our medical group.”
So, we saw that play, where he collided with Elijah (Moore), was wearing a (Guardian) Cap. So, what’s the explanation there? Is it not foolproof?
“Yeah, I’m probably not smart enough, experienced enough in that area to give you a good answer, Tony (Grossi), obviously I’m all for player safety, but I’m not sure.”
With Dalvin, I know the edge rushers always talk about how much they like playing against him because of everything he does. What does he do that can make edge rushers that much more effective at their jobs?
“Yeah, I think it’s attention when you have — up front, there’s five offensive linemen. There’s a tight end, sometimes two, obviously a running back at times and they can only do so much; the center can only go one way, the slide can only turn to one person, the tight end can only help on one side if it’s one tight end. So, I think anytime one player is getting attention, obviously Myles (Garrett) gets a lot of attention for us, that frees up other guys. But I think the edge rushers like having a guy that can get attention and can also just push the pocket, which I think is a big part.”
A guy like Justin Hardee ending up back on your practice squad. Cleveland guy, kind of good for the team, good for the city. Nice to be able to keep him around and hopefully get him out there?
“Yeah, I feel great about Justin being back. Just in my short time with him, I have a ton of respect for the person he is, I think he’s a great player. He’s played great in this league, a Pro-Bowler. So very, very fortunate to have him back.”
Is he out of protocol?
“Yes, yes.”
Anything new with your crowded quarterback room?
“Nothing new, nothing to report.” [Laughing]
Kevin, what about getting Mike Ford back in the building?
“You’ve heard me say this before, but I would love to keep everybody as a coach. I know that there’s roster constraints and considerations and that type of thing, so hated to see Mike leave, but love to see him coming back.”
Kevin, I know yesterday you said you didn’t have any comment on Mike Hall being on the exemption list. However, is the plan for him to still be in the facility, be in meetings, doing everything that he’s allowed to?
“Yeah, I think everything that you’re allowed to under that list, which I believe is everything short of practice and walk-throughs and attending games.”
Jeremiah (Owusu-Koramoah) had his hand wrapped up, was he able to participate in practice in full?
“He’s a full participant. Yup, had an injury to his hand, but he’s fine.”
Kevin, I’m sure it’s a case-by-case basis when you watch plays back, but in general, how much ownership should quarterbacks take over sacks? I think a lot of people just assume the guy gets hit, the guy who should have been blocking that guy, it’s his fault.
“It’s something that we certainly talk about in the quarterback room. Obviously, it works both ways. There’s things that the line can do to protect the quarterback. There’s things that the quarterback can do to protect the line. So, we are always looking to avoid sacks just because they can really hinder your drive and the potential success of your drive. But quarterbacks can play a big part of that. It could be as simple as depth in the pocket. It could be making the correct protection change or not making a change, getting the ball out of our hand, all those types of things. But if you ask an offensive lineman their job, and they would say this, is just to protect the quarterback at all costs.”
Do you have enough reps to go around for four quarterbacks right now?
“Sure. We’ll do a doubleheader out here in the heat.” [Laughing]