Tag: Kevin Stefanski

Kevin Stefanski happy to see Baker Mayfield learning in training camp

Coach Stefanski seems pleased with how well Mayfield is learning the new offense

Baker Mayfield is still in the learning process in his third year in the NFL. That’s something that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski embraces and appreciates with his young quarterback.

Mayfield has had an up-and-down first week of Browns training camp as he adjusts to Stefanski’s new offense and learns about the revamped line in front of him. The coach sees the processing and the progress going on with No. 6.

“I think Baker, just like all the other guys, we are learning, and I think he is doing a really nice job,” Stefanski said via Zoom on Saturday. “You go down to the red zone period the other day, and we are running those plays for the first time and he is making them work. Then there are other ones that we have to do better at all positions. I think understanding that we are trying to build this thing and get the basics down is really important.”

The coach continued, noting the difficulty in facing the Browns defense unfiltered in practice reps,

“The other note for the quarterbacks in particular, is we make life hard on them in practice, and we are giving them tough looks and we are not giving them ‘outs'[jwplayer mBIzdhRS] in certain areas. It is definitely a tough position to play, and we want to make sure that we simulate that as much as we can in practice.”

The Browns open the season in Baltimore three weeks from Sunday, on Sept. 13th. There’s still a lot of learning for Mayfield to cram into those three weeks.

Kevin Stefanski believes rookie center Nick Harris ‘is ready to roll’

Harris has filled in impressively for injured JC Tretter at the start of Browns training camp

The Cleveland Browns have had quite the upheaval on the offensive line. Everyone expected two new starters at the tackle positions, but the center spot was JC Tretter’s domain. Alas, a minor procedure on his knee has already knocked out the veteran pivot for at least a couple of weeks.

Enter rookie Nick Harris. The fifth-round pick from Washington has stepped right into Tretter’s role and impressed everyone. It’s been a very good first three days of camp for Harris.

The most important eyes on Harris are those of coach Kevin Stefanski. When asked about Harris having the right mentality for the job, Stefanski had kind things to say about his rookie center.

“Yeah, I would hope so,” Stefanski responded. “Unfortunately, injuries are part of this game. It is the oldest cliché in the book, but next man up, and I think Nick is ready to roll.”

Harris himself believes it too. In his Zoom conference with reporters, Harris noted,

“I’m just trying to optimize whatever role I have and whatever that may be. I’m just trying to be a role player for this team and whenever my opportunity comes, I’m ready for it.”

 

Baker Mayfield ‘in much better place’ mentally ahead of 2020 season

Former Oklahoma and current Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield opened up about a difficult sophomore season in the league

Former Oklahoma and current Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield opened up about a difficult sophomore season in the league at his first training camp media availability last week.

“I wouldn’t say it was a ‘poor me’ type situation. I just… going and having success all through high school and college and having that standard so high…the past couple of years have been a rollercoaster of emotions,” he said, “and not nearly as much success as I’m used to, so I would say I lost myself by not having that success, not finding out what was working.”

Mayfield enjoyed a strong rookie season, racking up 3725 yards and 21 touchdowns on 63.8 percent passing. After the Browns traded for superstar WR Odell Beckham, Jr., Mayfield appeared poised for an even better second year.

Instead, he posted a disappointing 3827 yards on 59.4 percent passing. He also threw for 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Now, after a long offseason to himself, Mayfield appears ready to return to form.

“I’m in a much better place mentally. I put in the work. I’m just ready to roll, get back, attack get back to where I need to be for this team, this franchise,” he said.

Mayfield also enters 2020 under the tutelage of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who praised his young QB.

“I appreciate where he is,” Stefanski said. “I think he’s done a nice job as the leader of this football team and I’m just excited to get on the grass with him.”

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Kevin Stefanski: ‘it’s a shame’ fans aren’t allowed to attend Browns camp

Stefanski feels like he’s missing out on not having fans in the stands

Friday’s first practice of 2020 Browns training camp was a different experience than ever before.

The large grandstands were empty. There were no fan-friendly features like the kid’s play area or concession stands. The popular Dawg Pound ped adoption area is not there either. That’s because there are no fans allowed at the team facility in Berea due to COVID-19 restrictions.

For rookie coach Kevin Stefanski, it’s a disappointing turn of events.

“It is going to be weird,” Stefanski said in his pre-practice Zoom session with the media. “That is a very unfortunate part of this. I have not experienced camp here with the Cleveland Browns fans, but just from what I have heard, it sounds like all of Northeast Ohio used to be here during training camp. It is a shame. We would love to have them out here.”

Stefanski’s tone here is important. He was not being hysterical or angry but said it with the longing nature of someone who knows he’s missing out on something for reasons out of his control.

The Browns are off on Saturday but return to the practice field on Sunday.

Kevin Stefanski: Browns will ‘continue to look at’ building OL depth after 3 opt-outs

Josh Kline is the best available free agent fit

After three reserves along the Browns offensive line chose to opt out of playing in the 2020 NFL season, the depth chart at guard looks perilously thin in Cleveland. New Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is acutely aware of the shortage of bodies after Drew Forbes, Malcolm Pridgeon and Drake Dorbeck all opted out.

Stefanski strongly hinted that the team will be making a move or two in order to bolster the roster for training camp and perhaps even the upcoming season. Coach Stefanski addressed the dearth of OL depth in a Zoom teleconference with reporters.

It’s certainly something that we’ll continue to look at,’’ the rookie coach said. “As it pertains to practice reps, you have to get your starters ready. You also have to get your backups ready this year. We have to be very mindful of how we divvy up those reps. I’ve sat down with the coaches already and we have a plan for that, but I don’t think it is a season where you just say, ‘Hey, I’m just getting my starters ready.’ I think that may not be smart.”

Stefanski later added that they’re not just looking for players that are easily disposed of after training camp usage.

“I think we need good players,” Stefanski stated. “I think (GM Andrew Berry) and his staff are going to work really hard at all of these positions. If we should have a need somewhere, we want to get a good player in here. We want to make sure that we are bringing guys in who have a chance to develop.”

There aren’t many players available who fit that criteria. One who is: former Vikings and Titans starter Josh Kline, who played under Stefanski in Minnesota last season. Other veteran options include Cordy Glenn, Ron Leary and Jon Halapio.

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Kevin Stefanski downplays the Browns need to have a “quarantine” QB

Stefanski trusts the Browns safety precautions and doesn’t see the need

The notion of having a “COVID-19 quarantine” quarterback is a popular discussion point on sports talk radio and message boards. As often happens, the concept filtered up and made an appearance in Browns coach Kevin Stefanski’s Zoom press conference this week.

There are two separate branches to the discussion. One is to keep the current QBs, or at least one of them, completely isolated from the rest of the team and pretty much anyone who could possibly infect him with the coronavirus. The other is to identify a veteran free agent QB and stash them in a quarantine version of “break glass if needed” type of situation.

Stefanski answered the question based on the first scenario, the idea of isolating Baker Mayfield or Case Keenum away in practices and not risking any possible COVID-19 outbreak that would leave the Browns shorthanded at QB.

“We are going to put a plan in place that we feel really confident in keeping all of our players safe. Obviously, I understand the quarterback position and a lot of people are discussing that, but I feel very strongly that the protocols that they have given us, we have adhered them to a tee,” Stefanski said confidently.

He continued while also laying out the practice plan,

“The truth is we have gone past them. We are doing things in an abundance of caution that we do not even have to do. For example, we are going to split the squad next week, and we are going to go with calling it a ‘brown’ and ‘an orange’ team. We are going to have a workout in the morning and a workout in the afternoon. We are going to do that just to limit the people in the building. We are not going to have in-person meetings until, I think, August 9. We are going to just stay virtual.”

He did not broach the idea of having an emergency plan on the outside in case Mayfield and/or Keenum, or third-stringer Garrett Gilbert, tests positive for COVID and needs to sit for an extended period. Some fans have suggested that Drew Stanton could be a good option. The veteran was the team’s No. 2 entering 2019 before he went on injured reserve, and Stanton remains unsigned. However, his skills do not match well with Stefanski’s offensive scheme.

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Kevin Stefanski describes the strange logistics of the Browns camp in the pandemic

Kevin Stefanski describes the strange logistics of the Browns camp during the COVID-19 pandemic

Training camp in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic is a very different experience. Aside from the lack of fans and media crowding the practice fields at the Cleveland Browns facilities in Berea, there are strict guidelines on player and coach interaction and contact in place.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski painted a picture of the odd logistics of the camp situation. He talked about the challenge of following the rules, wearing masks and teaching players in an anecdote from his Zoom press conference with reporters on Thursday.

“I should mention first of all that when I look out the window, I saw the players out there getting ready to do their conditioning and then I went back and sat down,” Stefanski said. “I am not allowed to watch them condition. That is just the strength staff. I just wanted to get the image and I wanted to see what that look like to see the Cleveland Browns on our practice field. I have not seen the guys yet physically do anything until the 4:30 p.m. walkthrough, which as you can imagine, it is a walkthrough.

It is hard to do a walkthrough, as you can imagine, with all the coaches are wearing their masks and the players are wearing their masks. The walkthroughs will really be more of a meeting on the field as we start to get going and have a real slow ramp up to this. We do not want to be doing too much too soon.”

Stefanski noted practice will begin to look more normal when the pads come on in a few weeks,

“I think once we start practicing, which is about the middle of August, practice will look very similar to how you know it.”

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Coach Kevin Stefanski: ‘I believe in this bubble’

While the Browns aren’t technically in a bubble environment, coach Stefanski says it feels like they’re in one

The Cleveland Browns are not in a bubble, not in the strict quarantine sense of the word. But Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski says the team’s current status and safety protocols definitely feels like they are in a bubble environment.

The rookie coach discussed the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the start of Browns training camp and how the team is adapting to the ever-changing protocols from both the league and the state of Ohio. His Zoom session on Thursday with reporters alluded to the “bubble” concept that the other professional sports leagues, including the NBA and MLS, have utilized to isolate the players and team staff.

The NFL isn’t doing that — the logistics of keeping an entire football team of 90 players and all the coaches, trainers, support staff and more is almost impossible to comprehend. But the Browns are doing their best to keep team members as isolated from possible COVID-19 infection as possible.

“I’m optimistic,” Stefanski said. “I believe in this bubble. You may say we’re not in a bubble but I feel like we’re in a bubble. “We’re wearing masks everywhere, staying away from everybody, I’ve got my Kinexon, which blinks when I’m within six feet of people, so it feels that way.”

Stefanski knows it’s a big task.

“We just have to make sure with that shared responsibility as you leave this bubble that you maintain and follow the protocols,” the coach continued.

Stefanski’s words came on the same day where punter Jamie Gillan was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list, joining Dontrell Hilliard and Jovante Moffatt. Going on the list does not necessarily mean a player tested positive, but it helps protect against a more widespread exposure.

Browns hire Kevin Rogers as senior offensive assistant coach

Rogers was Stefanski’s boss in Minnesota during the Vikings’ Brett Favre era

Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff just got a little more robust and experienced. The Browns have hired Kevin Rogers to join Stefanski’s crew as a senior offensive assistant coach.

Rogers and Stefanski worked together in Minnesota for several years. In fact, Stefanski served part of his career with the Vikings as the assistant QB coach under Rogers, who was the team’s QB coach from 2006-2010.

“It’s great to add someone with Kevin’s expertise to the staff,” Stefanski said via a media release from the Browns. “He has seen so many offenses on every level of football and the knowledge he brings will be invaluable at every position.”

Rogers will work with the full offense in Cleveland under Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. He is not the official QB coach even though that role remains vacant, but expect Rogers to work closely with Baker Mayfield. The 68-year-old Rogers has worked with Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre among the many QBs under his tutelage in over 45 years of coaching.

He last coached at William & Mary, his alma mater, serving as the Tribe’s offensive coordinator and QB coach before he resigned after the 2017 season.

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Shortened preseason is a big loss for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns

Shortened preseason is a big loss for Kevin Stefanski and the Browns

The NFL has decided to lop off the first and last preseason games in 2020, the latest victim of the coronavirus pandemic and the precautions to try and prevent the spread to players and fans. While it was a predictable and probably necessary move, it’s not good for the Cleveland Browns and rookie head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Preseason games are generally unpopular with fans, but the games are not designed for fans. The exhibition season is all about building the team, sorting out roles, gaining some continuity and getting longer looks at players fighting for roster spots. It’s the only time many young players get any real game experience, something critical for development.

Stefanski is a rookie head coach. He’s never managed a game script before, never handled the responsibility of lording over the offense, defense and special teams. He’s never created a full game plan. Every bit of experience matters for those new skills, and now Stefanski gets denied the opportunity for half of those experiences.

Browns fans saw the perils of game management and preparation inexperience last year with Freddie Kitchens. That’s not saying Stefanski will have the same pratfalls, but the more chances Stefanski gets to prove otherwise, the better.

Stefanski and QB Baker Mayfield still have yet to work together in person. Mayfield and his receivers, which includes new tight end Austin Hooper, haven’t had a single practice together in Stefanski’s offense. They’re not going to click quickly without reps, and there’s no better way to get reps than in preseason games.

In addition to the coaching, the Browns are breaking in two new offensive tackles. Prized free agent right tackle Jack Conklin and first-round left tackle Jedrick Wills are being counted upon to be ready to roll right away. Both are very talented, but they’ve not worked in Stefanski’s offense before. They have no experience playing next to the guards and tight ends that are their new teammates.

Ah yes, the guards. Joel Bitonio is a bedrock presence on the left side. Right guard? It’s the only real position battle on the entire offense. And now the audition period is half of what was expected.

The bigger concern is the defense. Both starting LBs are new, and both are second-year players who proved they need as much seasoning as possible during their rookie campaigns. Both starting safeties, or all three if the base defense under new coordinator Joe Woods is the heavy nickel, are new to the team too.

That’s a lot of moving parts that have never moved together before. Expecting it to function like a well-oiled machine with even less practice and game time together is a real stretch. The experience playing together that the preseason games offer is invaluable. And now it’s cut in half.

So bemoan the oft-tedious viewing experience that is the preseason with the understanding that those games are critical for the players and coaches. Losing two of them sets back the Cleveland Browns more than it hits many other teams.

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