Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt (11.17.22)
On having familiarity with Buffalo’s weather during his career with the Bills:
“Oh yeah, 16 years of it.”
On Buffalo’s weather and sharing insights with the team:
“You can’t really describe it until you are in it. If you are in the bands, it is whiteout conditions. I have talked to the coaches and talked to the players a little bit this morning, showed some video of what it could be like. It is hit or miss wherever the bands are. It is what it is for both sides. We just have to expect the worst, and if it better than the worst, then good.”
On if he was a part of the Snow Bowl between the Bills and Colts in 2018:
“No, I was not. I was in one in 2009. I was in one a few back against Miami late in the season where the lake snow set in. Once it sets in and it stays on top of you, you are going to get the heavy stuff.”
On if there is a chance that the game gets moved to a different city:
“I do know if it sticks over Orchard Park, it will be tough. I think if they get the snow they are calling for, it could be tough to get it cleaned out and get it ready for the game. I am not sure. We are up for anything. If we have to go to the parking lot, we will.”
On if there are different gameplans for different weather conditions or venues:
“We have contingency plans for both. Obviously, we have a plan for good weather. If the band stays south or north and it is not a bad day, then good. If we move somewhere else, good. We will be ready for both. That is one thing that COVID years have done for us, we are very flexible and used to adapting and adjusting to any circumstances that come up.”
On the Browns OL’s struggles last week:
“It was just one of those days again. We had one earlier in the season where we just did not play our best. It was just individuals that each time throughout the course just added up to overall not what we are used from those guys. There is no one who is going to work harder to correct that than that group of men in that room so I am not worried about that at all.”
On similarities between New England and Miami defenses’ ability to limit the Browns running game:
“They are good defenses. Good, talented players, especially in the front seven. Other than that, that is probably the biggest similarity.”
On WR Amari Cooper being held to three targets and how recent production has reflected the team’s results this season:
“It is tough to really go back and look at targets as a way to judge whether we were trying to get him the ball. A lot of those early calls where he is No. 1 in that progression, again, defense dictates where the ball goes. We definitely have a heightened awareness of trying to get him involved early and often. Sometimes the defense doesn’t allow for that. Just because he was targeted three times, his number was called multiple times without getting the ball thrown his way.”
On if QB Jacoby Brissett went past Cooper in the progression too quickly:
“I don’t think so. Just thinking back to the game, there was a lot of double Amari. That was their plan going in. Especially on third downs, they were going to assign two guys to him and make sure he was not a part of the plan. At the same time, we have to step up and make plays from other positions that are singled.”
On how QB Deshaun Watson looked in practice yesterday:
“Good. He looked good. I know he has been working hard while he has been away from the building. Excited to see him out there. He made some throws after practice. We call it ‘opportunity period’ where you are like, ‘OK, that is impressive stuff.’ He looks good. Continue to work him in. He has been in the room now for a while so I think he has a good understanding of how we work in the game week and transition him in when the time comes.”
On if it is tough balancing getting Watson ready and keeping Brissett prepared like normal for the opponent each week:
“It is not tough, but you have intent of what you are trying to get done and what reps that you can give Deshaun that you feel like Jacoby has a great understanding of that does not actually need that rep again. You are trying to make sure that you have the right plays selected for Deshaun with at the same time not shorting Jacoby and his preparation.”
On if Watson looked similar in practice to training camp and the offseason:
“Yeah, very similar. He is ready to go. He looks good. When that time comes, we will be ready for that.”
On if Watson is taking scout team reps:
“He has been. There is the fine line of keeping (QB) Josh Dobbs ready to go, too, so there is a little bit of a juggling act, but we have a plan.”
On if he has noticed any significant changes from Watson on the field in practice:
“Other than the fact that he has just really sharpened his play calling, he has been practicing obviously for this time away from the building. When the plays came in, they came right back to the huddle. They were very clean, good calls. I think that is probably the biggest thing that I noticed is his command of the verbiage.”
On preparing Brissett for the snow:
“Probably just watch the 2017 game that he played there really. He was in the Snow Bowl. He as in that game. He played the full game. Looked at all of his passes in that game. He is the least guy I am worried about. He has already experienced it and lived it.”
On if the team looked back at the game Brissett played in the Snow Bowl or if just him:
“Just me just to take a look at what he was able to do in the worst conditions that I have seen in a while.”
On the number of pass attempts in the 2017 Colts-Bills game:
“I don’t know. That is a question for whoever the play caller was at that time. He was effective. He had some effective plays for sure. That was as bad as it gets. I have not seen the conditions there that bad.”
On how much of a difference Bills LB Von Miller makes for Buffalo’s defense:
“He makes a difference. Obviously, the sack production, his speed and his ability to rush off the edge is big. They are very deep with depth of solid players that rotate in upfront and play a lot. They have good pass rushers on the other side, as well. Our challenge is to obviously protect if it comes down to that type of day. They are good across the board up front.”
On how to help the Browns OL rebound from last week’s performance:
“I think you just show them the tape and then they correct themselves. (Offensive line) Coach (Bill) Callahan does a great job in that room. Those guys hold themselves to a super high standard so that alone I think will help.”
On having confidence in the Browns OL’s ability to rebound from last week’s performance:
“Absolutely. It is an anomaly. It was one of those days where we just did not play well collectively, which is rare for our group up front.”
On attempting to pass the ball in tough weather conditions at Buffalo:
“It can be frustrating. It really can be. There are a lot of different things from quarterback play of not gripping the ball too tight and making sure you follow through. One of the things I learned from (Pro Football Hall of Fame QB) Jim Kelly in my time there – he had a lot of those games – the bottom line is it is going to be rough, and if it is those conditions, it is going to be hard for both sides.”
On if there is anything the Brissett can do to prepare for heavy snow:
“It probably comes down to individuals. Some quarterbacks might wear two gloves. I am not sure where Jacoby lies in that. It is what it is. It is one of those things you really can’t prepare for unless you… I don’t know how you will do it – stick your hands in the snow (laughter)? Again, it is what it is, and we have no control over it so we are not going to let it phase us at all.”
On memories from the Browns-Bills game in 2007:
“Very similar. Obviously, not as bad as 2017 up there versus Indy. The biggest thing that stands out is walking – I was in the box at the time, thank goodness – and I walked down to the locker room at halftime, and our defensive back coach George Catavolos had about four inches of snow on top of his head. That is my biggest memory to be honest with you. It was a horrible game… It was really low scoring. My memories of obviously of Coach Catavolos with the hairdo and just brutal conditions.”
On if he was at the 6-3 Browns-Bills game at Buffalo:
“I was in that one, as well.”
On the Bills defense being better with Bills S Jordan Poyer on the field:
“Sure. He is a great player. He is a special guy for that defense. Those safeties are really good, high-caliber players. (Bills S) Micah Hyde being out for them that is a blow. Poyer obviously very instinctive, a very talented guy, understands what you are trying to do scheme wise and he makes a lot of plays on the ball. When he is in there, they are better.”
On if the Bills defense’s number of takeaways impacts the Browns offense’s gameplan:
“I just think it heightens our awareness of taking care of the football. That is an area where we have as a team emphasized improvement and getting back on the plus-side of the turnover margin. It starts with us not giving them any. I know that is the No. 1 goal this week is to come out with zero turnovers or giveaways for us.”
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