Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt (12.29.22)
On QB Deshaun Watson’s performance in challenging weather conditions last week:
“I think the biggest takeaway was the fact that he still had the ability to throw it accurately when it mattered the most. In the bad conditions, made some really key throws in that last drive. Unfortunately, we had a chance to get it in the end zone to tie it up but did not. That is encouraging. Probably the worst weather I have been around. I have been in colder games but not with the wind blowing as hard as it was. Really tough conditions going both ways really. We took some shots down the field that I would have liked to seen those balls had it not been really windy. I think we had some opportunities for some big plays had it not been. Some of those down-the-field throws going away from the Dawg Pound kind of carried a little bit.”
On if the Browns potentially would have attempted a two-point conversion to win the game if the team scored on its final drive:
“I think that is where we were heading. I know we had talked about it prior to that drive to be ready for a two-point play here to end it.”
On if the Browns offense has the opportunity to reach another level with points scored this week in Watson’s fifth start and significantly improved weather conditions:
“I do think so. I think we are ready for that. We just need to see continued improvement. I think if we can put the ball into the end zone, we would all be a lot happier. It is a really good defense we are playing, especially up front. Our challenges are there, but we should definitely see more productivity out of us, especially as we get down in the red zone. We haven’t scored when we have gotten down there like we should.”
On conversations with Watson about the decision-making process outside of the pocket and identifying when to run it past the line of scrimmage or throw it to a nearby receiver:
“You always want to extend the play as long as you can to make the defender choose one or the other. You are probably talking about the play to (WR) Donovan (Peoples-Jones) where he had a chance to run it, the first thing he said was, ‘I should of played that longer and pressed it more.’ Those are the things we talk about. That wasn’t a designed QB run. It was a keeper where Donovan is the first read. In those situations, again, it is just playing experience and doing it more and more and more and having a feel for, ‘Hey, we have to keep pressing. Make that defense choose one or the other,’ and then do the opposite.”
On if there is a ‘sweet spot’ for the number of designed QB runs, including the potential for more of them:
“I think that you can see a lot more QB runs design, but again, you are taking it out of (RB) Nick Chubb’s hands and (RB) Kareem Hunt’s hands. I don’t think that is a necessity. Other teams may rely more on the QB run when they don’t have the strong runners as we do. I think it is finding that mix of what gives us the best of both worlds. You don’t want to take touches away from Nick and Kareem, but at the same time, you don’t want to have the defense not playing the whole field so they have to be responsible for the quarterback, as well. It is our job of finding that happy medium somewhere in between.”
On if the number of dropped passes last week is mostly a result of the tough weather conditions or if Watson needing to throw the ball harder through a strong wind was a factor:
“It is like a slippery rock really is the best way to describe it. If those were normal conditions, I think those would have been catches. I don’t think he puts anymore on it than he would on a dry day to be honest with you. I think it is just really, really hard conditions to handle the ball.”
On how weather conditions impact how the Browns evaluate performance after the game and if it is ‘graded on a curve’ to some degree:
“Yeah, it is. Just talking to (quarterbacks coach) Drew (Petzing) about how to grade some of those throws, we take them as minus throws, but we also take into consideration there was a huge wind behind it so it is. It is graded with a curve for sure.”
On if challenging weather conditions in recent weeks have made it more difficult to assess Watson’s development in the offense:
“There is a lot that plays into that. Really, you think about him starting in Houston and then having that first time out again after so long. That plays a role. Then getting some weather games does play a role. Hopefully, these next two games, we will have some decent conditions and we can really see where we are at right now. Yeah, there are some factors that played into our evaluation process.”
On RB Jerome Ford:
“A really strong runner. Does a lot of really good things. Can catch the ball really well out of the backfield. Just learning his way through the NFL game as a running back. Obviously, you kick it to him, and he has one job and that is to gain positive yards. There is a lot more to it that comes to protections and things they go in the running back room. Progressing well. Impressive when he does have the ball in his hands with what he can do with the run. Then going back to training camp of what he brings in the passing game as well with good hands and good route running ability.”
On important steps for Watson to take during the next two weeks:
“Continue to own the system and understand the operation in and out of the huddle, play calling and footwork improvements each week. Those are the biggest steps. Just continue to improve in those areas. The accuracy is there. You are starting to see that come back. His ability to make plays on the move is back. Really, it is just a matter of finetuning footwork, operation and all of the things that come with quarterback play.”
On Commanders DL’s abilities:
“They are four first-rounders up front. The skill and the talent, they are all good players. They are big bodies. They are powerful and physical with twitch. It is a good combination. They have obviously built that team through that defensive line on that side of the ball, and they are playing at an extremely high level.”
On Commanders DE Chase Young returning from injury:
“Finding his way. I haven’t played against him before. Obviously, he is a dangerous player and will probably get more playing time and improve his play style as it goes. A really good challenge for us up front. Those guys are as good as it gets. The two inside players are as good as there are in the league. The defensive tackles and the edge players are exceptional, as well. Big challenge up front for our O line.”
On players like Chubb wanting to finish strong and not receive rest in the final two games after being eliminated from playoff contention and if part of keeping the entire offense intact for the final two games is about building for the future:
“Absolutely. Absolutely. These two last games are critical for us. We need to see where we are. We want to see everybody. We want to win these last two games. We will go 1-0 hopefully this week, and then we will reevaluate for next week. We want to win these games. It means a lot to this locker room, and it means a lot to the leadership of this team. Nobody is looking to shut anything down. Didn’t go the way we wanted to, but the bottom line is we still have two opportunities to go out and compete and to win.”
On the importance of the Browns having stability on the OL with T Jack Conklin and Gs Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller secured to long-term contracts:
“It is huge. It is. To have the same guys working together, the same coaches and the same calls, they just get better each year. To have Jack locked in, a guy who just really deserves every bit of that, the work he put in after the injury last year to come back and to be really good at right tackle for us is a tribute to him. Really happy that we have him locked up for a while.”
On C Ethan Pocic’s performance this season after being placed into the starting lineup following C Nick Harris’ injury in the first preseason game:
“What a great job he has done really stepping in when Nick got hurt right away and never really missed a beat with him. A great job of the guys upstairs getting him into the building.”
On if he will advocate for the Browns to re-sign Pocic this offseason:
“I would think we would. I don’t make those decisions, but I don’t think there is anything in his play this year that we would say we wouldn’t want to see him again next year.”
On goals for continued development for young Browns WRs during the final two games:
“Just continued improvement really across the board for everybody. Maybe give them a little bit more opportunity to make some plays on the ball. Oftentimes, you get the young guys in there and you kind of put them in the spot where the ball will find them last. Maybe formatting some of the plays to get them involved earlier on in the progressions. Woodsy (WR Michael Woods II) has done a really nice job for us. (WR) Daylen (Baldwin) when he came in played really well for us and made a coupe of catches. As rookies, you just keep growing and getting better each week. Hopefully, we will see that this week.”
On WR Donovan Peoples-Jones reaching a higher level of performance this season and Peoples-Jones’ development during the past three years:
“Night and day. Really to when he first got here, just the ability in the run game, I just remember (pass game coordinator/wide receivers) Coach (Chad) O’Shea getting on his butt about physicality in the block. The growth he has shown over the past three years is tremendous. He is a real pleasure to have. A great find for us late in the draft. He works his butt off at it. He is a great teammate. He has gotten a ton better since he has gotten here. Developing young players through the draft, I think Coach O’Shea deserves a lot of credit there and what he has been able to get out of Donovan because Donovan is really playing at a high level for us.”
On if the Browns may make an effort in the final two games to help Chubb potentially win the NFL rushing title this season, understanding Chubb is currently third in the league for rushing yards:
“I think there are individual goals of players in situations like this that need to be addressed and attained if possible. I have always felt that way. If there is something out there that we can get for our players in a season that didn’t go the way that we wanted it to and the playoffs, then I am all for that.”
On Chubb eclipsing 90 rushing yards in each of the past two games against tough run defenses:
“Exactly, those are some two tough run defenses that he had success against. He is another guy who deserves everything that he gets. If we can get him [the NFL rushing title], that would be exceptional.”
On if the Browns discuss a goal of wanting to have a strong time of possession this week, given where Cleveland and Washington rank in the NFL within the category this season:
“It kind of happens organically when you talk about staying positive on first and second down, giving yourself manageable third downs and then converting on third downs. That kind of falls into extended drives and time of possession. We don’t say, ‘Hey, we need to win time of possession this week.’ We say we need to be manageable on third down and convert on third down, and that will give you the time of possession. I guess we go a roundabout way of getting to that, but yes, we do emphasize those other areas that get you to a winning time of possession.”
On if Washington’s time of possession totals this year makes each of the Browns’ possessions this week more valuable:
“Absolutely. Every drive for us is a valuable drive. We want to end in the end zone. Again, that is being good on first and second and converting on third and then punching it in once we get down inside the red zone.”
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