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The way Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy talked about Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and defensive coordinator Joe Woods in his press conference this week, you are forgiven for thinking Bieniemy is trying to join them in Cleveland. Bieniemy heaped praise upon Woods and Stefanski in advance of the AFC divisional round clash in Kansas City this Sunday.
It makes sense. The trio all coached together with the Minnesota Vikings from 2006-2010, with Bieniemy as the RB coach, Stefanski the QB coach and Woods the DB coach.
Bieniemy started off talking about Woods,
“Joe is a laid-back, cool customer. He’s very smart, he’s very intelligent and he’s going to watch everything that we’ve done. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s pulled out tape from the Bronco days and from the Raider days when he coached there, and I know he’s going to pull out some tape from last year’s game in the Super Bowl.
So, one thing about Joe, you don’t have to worry about those guys not being prepared. They’re going to be prepared because that’s who Joe is. And he’s fundamentally sound, he’s going to make sure those guys are focused and locked in on the details of what they need to do.”
Bieniemy continued, bringing up his admiration and respect for Stefanski.
“It’s kind of tough because knowing Joe as well as I do and knowing Kevin Stefanski, all of us have a prior relationship which has grown over the years. I’ve been their biggest fans and just watching those guys, but at some point we have to meet (on the field),” Bieniemy said. “So, this weekend I’m looking forward to that battle, that matchup, but on top of that I do understand this, it’s our job to make sure that our guys are ready, and it’s our job to make sure that we’re putting our guys in the right situations to be successful. So, that’s what we’re looking forward to and I’m fired up. Can’t wait.”
The familiarity between the coaches is separated by a decade of working apart in various places, but there could be some interesting Xs and Os tactics from the former coaching mates.