CLEVELAND, Ohio — Kevin Stefanski was hoping to welcome his players back into the building on Monday for the start of the offseason program, but will have to settle once again for seeing them in little squares on Zoom possibly until training camp at the end of July.
It’s not ideal for Stefanski or other other NFL coaches when it comes to installing systems and preparing for the season, but if anyone can do a virtual offseason program, the tech-savvy Browns can.
Like last year, when Stefanski had to pivot almost every week because of positive COVID-19 tests among his staff, his players and himself, he’s looking on the bright side of a potentially all-virtual offseason — including possibly no mandatory minicamp — and will roll with the punches.
With a Super Bowl in the Browns’ sights this season, they’ll all take their game up a notch this offseason, even if it’s in their own backyard or gym. One thing is for certain: Stefanski won’t make excuses or rest on his laurels. He’s still irked the Browns lost to the Chiefs, and is still using it as motivation.
Here are some takeaways from his press conference:
He praised Greedy Williams for tireless rehab; says Odell Beckham Jr., Grant Delpit are also on track
Unsolicited, Stefanski singled out cornerback Greedy Williams for praise in his rehab from nerve damage in his shoulder. Williams had to fight off depression last season while he sat out the entire year, and Stefanski recognized how hard he’s worked to come back.
Greedy Williams opens up about dead shoulder and ‘fake injury’ attacks
“In particular, Greedy continues to get good news, and I’m just so happy for the kid,’’ Stefanski said. “He just battled his butt off in the rehab room for months and had a great attitude throughout. I’m just really, really happy for him as he keeps getting better and better. He has a ways to go, but he’s trending in the right direction.”
Last month, Williams had his shoulder tested, and the nerves “fired’’ for the first time since he suffered the season-ending injury in August. It’s great news for the Browns, who are counting on him to hold down the starting spot this offseason opposite Denzel Ward.
To be on the safe side, the Browns might add depth at the cornerback position, but it sounds like Williams has a good shot of starting this season.
He said Odell Beckham Jr. (torn ACL) and Grant Delpit (ruptured Achilles tendon), who have chronicled their excellent progress on social media, are also on track.
“I don’t know the exact date for all of those guys, but I really like how they’re progressing,’’ he said.
He’s excited about what Jadeveon Clowney brings to the table
Stefanski knows the run defense will be significantly bolstered by the addition of Clowney, who’s been ranked in the 95th percentile in run defense his whole career, according to Pro Football Focus.
“He’s versatile enough to play inside and outside,’’ Stefanski said. “He’s shown that over the course of his career. He’s a disruptive football player in the run and the pass game. He’s somebody that over the many years and certainly in the last few has seen a lot of attention.
“Teams have slid to him and put a tight end in there to chip or their running back. We feel like he’ll have opportunities here playing opposite of (DE) Myles (Garrett). That should help him in the pass game. He’s a disruptive player. Excited to add him to the front.”
He’s had frank discussions with NFLPA president JC Tretter
The Browns’ starting center has taken a hard-line stance on no in-person workouts until training camp amid the pandemic, but he’s been open with Stefanski about his reasoning. Specifically, missed-time injuries were down 23% last season and concussions were down 30%.
“I’ve had good discussions with JC,’’ Stefanski said. “He’s very transparent. I’m very transparent. This program is voluntary. Again, we’re in Day 2 of Phase 1. It’s a virtual program that I think the guys are doing a nice job with. We will deal with anything else that comes down the road, but I am just going to make sure that the communication continues between JC and really any of the players and myself.”
He acknowledged that “I’d love to see our guys on the grass. There’s no coach that wouldn’t love to coach their guys – that’s very, very obvious – but I’m going to respect the process, respect the position and let those things play out.”
With the NFLPA pushing to eliminate the mandatory minicamp in Phase III of the program, Stefanski declined to say if they’ll schedule one.
“I respect our players. I respect the voluntary portion of this,’’ he said. “You also know I’m a coach and we have really outstanding coaches here who can’t wait to get on the grass with our players. We’ll figure it out as it goes, but we’re just going to make sure we are in the here and now as we go.”
He said the Browns will continue to rely heavily on their sports science group to help keep players safe.
“We’ll absolutely use data to our advantage.”
On avoiding a letdown with sky-high expectations
Stefanski has heard a lot of the Super Bowl talk from his players and he’s addressed it.
“It’s very, very easy to talk about that,’’ he said. “It’s very easy for me to say that we want to do this and we want to be this, but we’re going to focus on the work. That’s what we did last year, and I promise you, that’s what we’ll do this year. We’re not going to focus on anything out there that people are talking about because ultimately, we are going to be about the work.”
War room plans
The Browns haven’t set up a beachfront war room like the Rams have this year. Instead, they’ll be at team headquarterback in Berea, but not huddled together.
“We are going to be in the building here, but we are going to each be in our own office so it will be virtual in that regard.”
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