The bye week is over and done with, and the rest of the AFC did the Cleveland Browns a favor as they sat idly by. Loads of upsets helped the playoff picture for the Browns, including an upset by the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Baltimore Ravens to prevent them from pulling away in the AFC North. But now head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Deshaun Watson have to get the offense figured out as the undefeated San Francisco 49ers come to town.
Coming out of the bye, Stefanski spoke to the media today, giving his updates on Watson, discussing the run game woes, and more. That is where we focus our attention here. He is usually pretty tight-lipped during press conferences, and this one is not much different.
Buy Browns TicketsAs the Browns look to advance to 3-2 on the season coming off of their bye week, what stood out from Stefanski’s media availability?
Stefanski mum on the status of Deshaun Watson
Watson opted not to play against the Ravens, a choice that was in his own hands. The thought was to rest his shoulder in Week 4 and through the bye before hitting the long stretch of the season. However, as the rest of the team returned to the practice field, Watson did not. And Stefanski was hammered with questions about the health of his quarterback.
Still rehabbing, Watson was designated as day-to-day by the head coach, but noted that the quarterback is “doing everything in his power, working around the clock” to get back on the field.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated he would be surprised if Watson does not play against the 49ers, and Stefanski seemed to indicate the same, stating, “he’s working through this process and he’s getting better.”
All other dinged up parties are progressing
Watson was not the only player who left the Baltimore game dinged up, as Myles Garrett was seen in a boot, Ethan Pocic left the game hurt twice, and David Njoku came into the game with burns on his arms and face. All of those players are progressing according to the head coach.
He listed Pocic as day-to-day but lauded Nick Harris for his ability to come in and perform against the Ravens. Garrett practiced today, while Njoku did not as his burns continue to heal. Joel Bitonio also did not practice, but he is usually given a veteran rest day at the beginning of the week.
The Browns look like they may enter their matchup against the Niners in about as good of health as you can wish for five weeks into an NFL season (outside of the obvious loss of running back Nick Chubb).
The Browns clearly want more out of Jedrick Wills
General manager Andrew Berry was as pointed as he has ever been when addressing a player last week during the bye when talking about Jedrick Wills. He stated even Wills himself knows that he needs to play better, and the media made sure to ask the head coach about his left tackle as well.
Specifically, Stefanski was asked about Wills’ desire to play through the whistle. Stefanski noted how important that is when playing with Watson, given his preferences toward extending plays with his legs, but noted in regard to Wills:
“You focus on the work and you focus on that in practice just now and getting better with your technique… he’s trying.”
Stefanski is usually pretty face value with his answers, and that does not change here. However, the tone carries over that Wills has to get better, and that starts in practice.
Ball security, ball security, ball security
The Browns are minus-seven in the turnover differential through their first four games of the season, and that is a big reason why they find themselves sitting at 2-2 instead of a highly realistic 3-1. Stefanski preached that it is a three-phased attack on offense, defense, and special teams. However, it is just the offense that has not lived up to their end of the bargain.
“Anybody who touches that rock to do everything in their power to gain yards while maintaining ball security and then getting the ball on defense and special teams, opportunities for us to get the ball. So, major point of emphasis, and then it goes back to just not the point of emphasis, but technique. And that’s what we worked on today, whether center quarterback exchange or a running back running through getting the ball, trying to knock it free, or with our DBs working to knock the ball out. So, it goes back to not just the mentality, not just the emphasis, but also technique.”
It has to change. The offense has proven to sustain drives, but their turnovers as they are driving (four fumbles in plus territory already) have killed any hope of putting points on the board. Defense, keep taking the ball away. Offense, stop giving the ball away.
