Rookie safety Richard LeCounte called this his 'best preseason ever' for playing in two homecoming games and also receiving a pair of cleats from Odell Beckham Jr. (TheLandOnDemand)
Kevin Stefanski runs a play-fake, confirms ‘select’ starters will play in Atlanta, including Baker Mayfield
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from yet another sweltering Browns practice and sweltering interviews …
What convinced Kevin Stefanski to break down and play “select” starters in the preseason finale Sunday night in Atlanta against the Falcons?
The Browns’ coach would reveal only quarterback Baker Mayfield on the play list.
“We are just making decisions individually based on who needs to get some reps, making those decisions based on these practice reps, based on the joint practice reps and based on game reps. So we will hold some other guys out,” Stefanski said.
As to who else and for how long, Stefanski quipped, “I gave you Baker. You have to tune in Sunday night. NBC wants me to keep it a secret.”
It’s likely that Mayfield would be protected by the No. 1 offensive line – minus center JC Tretter, who hasn’t practice since the first joint practice against the New York Giants on Aug. 19. Heir-apparent Nick Harris would fill in for Tretter.
No Browns projected starters have played in the first two preseason games with the exception of the Greg Newsome-Greedy Williams cornerback battle; defensive tackle Andrew Billings; linebackers Sione Takitaki, Mack Wilson and Jacob Phillips (before his torn pec muscle injury); receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones; and fullback Andy Janovich.
Stefanski said he didn’t ask players if they wanted to play.
“It was not really speaking with them to see how they felt. It was more just making sure they understood what the plan was,” he said.
As usual, the coach did consult with his counterpart, first-year Falcons coach Arthur Smith, and shared thoughts on which starters would play for both sides.
“We are not drawing up a treaty of any sort,” Stefanski said. “Just let him know what I am thinking of doing, and he does the same.”
Stefanski declined to say how long the starters would play. He doesn’t seem fazed by the injury risk to important players, but it’s doubtful they would play beyond the first half, if that long.
“It is football,” he said. “We try to be smart about everything we do. That is why I think the joint practices are so important because it is a controlled environment where our No. 1’s got close to 60 reps against [the Giants’] No. 1’s in a controlled environment. It is all part of it. The way you practice and the way you play is similar, and it is all good work is the way I look at it.
“All of it factors in. There are a ton of considerations when making our decisions about our team. This is the third preseason game. I see it the exact same as the previous year’s third preseason game where we just do not have a game next where it mostly would be younger guys. The way I see it is it is just the third preseason game.”
Of course, traditionally the “dress rehearsal” means all starters play for an extended time. That won’t be the case for the Browns in Atlanta. But at least some will get out there beneath the dome of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Quote of the preseason
Rookie safety Richard LeCounte, who has interceptions in each of the previous two preseason games, is happy to complete his first exhibition season in Atlanta.
LeCounte had about 100 family and friends attend the Jacksonville game, which was about 1 ½ hours from his hometown of Riceboro, GA. LeCounte played four years at University of Georgia in Athens, GA, including “three or four” games in Merecedes-Benz Stadium, and expects another 100 to be in his corner there.
So he’ll get a second homecoming in two preseason games.
“Getting to come back there, that’s the best preseason I ever had,” said the rookie fifth-round pick.
Incidentally, LeCounte met the media with a pair of white “OBJ” cleats draped on his right shoulder. They were given him by Odell Beckham Jr.
I love these cleats,” LeCounte said with a big smile. “These are my most prized possession right now. OBJ got me right.”
Brownie bits
Some defensive players traded jerseys before they stepped on the practice field, causing confusion among media and initially among the coaches. Ronnie Harrison wore No. 4 and Anthony Walker wore No. 33, Myles Garrett wore No. 59 and Curtis Weaver wore No. 95, Mack Wilson wore No. 26 and Greedy Williams wore No. 51. “The jumbling of the jerseys was, I think, to make life hard on you and me,” Stefanski said. “It worked. That is a one-time only deal.” …
Rookie linebacker Tony Fields participated in his first practice of camp. He has been out with a foot injury …
Beckham had a little more work in team drills. He is expected to ramp it up when attention totally focuses on the Chiefs, starting next week …
Rosters must be cut from 80 to 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Stefanski wouldn’t say if the team would announce some on Monday.
