Sunday will mark the first time in nine home games with the Browns that coach Kevin Stefanski will feel the energy of a full house. (Cleveland Browns)
Kevin Stefanski welcomes a packed FirstEnergy Stadium for the first time as Browns coach
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Four downs on Browns (0-1) v. Houston Texans (1-0)
First down: Welcome back.
The pandemic limited attendance in FirstEnergy Stadium to about one-sixth capacity for 2020, so this season’s packed home opener will be the first game in front of 65,000+ since … Dec. 22, 2019. Twenty-one months ago the Browns were finishing up the Freddie Kitchens era in a non-competitive loss to the Baltimore Ravens. On the field that day for the Browns included the likes of Justin McCray, Eric Murray, Terrence Mitchell, Tavierre Thomas, and Tae Davis. Guess what? They’re all with the Texans now, along with four other former Browns -- Christian Kirksey, Tyrod Taylor, Pharaoh Brown and Vincent Taylor. Kirksey toiled through six losing seasons with the Browns and never really felt the full passion of a packed stadium rooting for a winning day. “I am very much looking forward to it,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of the championship-starved throng expected to greet the Browns for the first time en masse. “Considering the past two years and all of the excitement that has been building and all the hype here, to be able to get in front of a full crowd in our home stadium, I am looking forward to it. Hopefully, that place is rocking.” It will be coach Kevin Stefanski’s first experience in front of a full house. On Friday, he implored fans to give “full-throated effort for all 60 minutes … The home advantage in the NFL is such a big deal, and I think our fans make a difference. You are talking about third down and fourth down. We will be looking for any delays of game from them or false starts. Those type of things are a direct correlation to our crowd. When we are on offense, looking to hear a pin drop. Excited to see and excited to experience that for the first time.” The Browns fell victim to a loud and energetic crowd in Arrowhead Stadium last week. Given truth serum, Stefanski would admit it made the difference in the 33-29 Browns loss.
Second down: Different day, different scheme.
The Browns’ new-look defense had the misfortune of debuting against the Chiefs’ Mahomes-to-Hill-and-Kelce Throwing Show. The Texans present the other end of the offensive spectrum. The Texans want to use a committee of four backs – Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson and Rex Burkhead – to control the clock and set up some Taylor play-action passes to speedy wideout Brandin Cooks. Taylor uses Brown and possession receiver Danny Amendola to move the chains, and also will run some Ravens’-style RPOs. The idea is to shorten the game, keep the opponent’s offense off the field and keep coordinator Lovie Smith’s turnover-conscious, “Tampa 2” defense fresh. The Browns are likely to play more 4-3, with injured middle linebacker Anthony Walker likely replaced by Malcolm Smith. Walker’s “green dot” duties of getting the defense’s calls and alignments in place probably will fall to vocal safety John Johnson. “”Scheme is going to be scheme,” Johnson said of the defensive adjustment for a more ball-control offense. “I think you want to play physical. Out-hit your opponent. I think it’s just an ‘out-hit’ week for us.”
Third down: Next, next man up.
Left tackle Jedrick Wills (ankle) wasn’t officially ruled out, but he didn’t practice all week. And with super-sub Chris Hubbard (triceps) out, the next, next man up would be rookie James Hudson. The fourth-round pick from Cincinnati was up-and-down as LT2 in his first preseason and was inactive for the opener in Kansas City. Hudson got most of the first-team reps at left tackle all week, with Blake Hance also seeing some time. “He is getting better,” coordinator Alex Van Pelt said this week. “He is definitely an arrow pointed up guy. He is going to continue to get better. He is a guy who I am excited to see, if he does get a chance to play this week, to see how he responds to a real NFL game.” The Texans of just a few years ago could unleash J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney at opposing quarterbacks. Clowney is now with the Browns and Watt is in Arizona. The rush ends who will take turns against the rookie Hudson making his first NFL appearance will be veteran Whitney Mercilus and Charles Omenihu. They were credited with one sack and two hits on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence last week.
Fourth down: How about something special?
It was not a great debut for the Browns’ special teams in Kansas City. Punter Jamie Gillan dropped the first punt snap of the season and handed possession of the ball to the Chiefs’ at the Browns’ 15-yard line at a key moment in the fourth quarter. Later, with a chance to ignite a game-winning offensive drive, punt returner Demetric Felton managed only four yards to the Kansas City 17. “We need more from him on that one,” said coordinator Mike Priefer. “It was a line-drive punt. We needed about a 15-20 yarder. We needed to jump start that drive, and we did not do that, and that is what I was very disappointed in.” The Texans have focused a lot of attention on their special teams in their first year under new coach David Culley. “We have our work cut out for us. I have not slept much this week and probably won’t the rest of tonight, Friday or Saturday night,” Priefer said.
The pick: Browns 34, Texans 17.
My record: 0-1.
