Subbing rookie Jerome Ford for Kareem Hunt on third downs would seem a decent idea with the Browns out of the playoffs. But the coach is not up for it. (Getty Images)
Kevin Stefanski says he won’t play younger players ahead of starters despite playoff elimination
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
It’s so over for the Browns except for avoiding a double-digit loss season, spoiling Washington’s NFC playoff bid and avoiding traditional embarrassment in the final game in Pittsburgh.
Another motivation might be to give some younger players much-needed game experience. But, no, Kevin Stefanski is not in the mood for that.
“I think every rep is valuable,” Stefanski allowed. “I think practice reps are valuable, but anytime you can get young guys in game settings and see them respond, yeah, I think it is good. We have had a lot of young guys play for us.
"Going back to Week 1, guys have stepped up and played a lot of football. I really try to evaluate all of it from the meeting rooms to the practice field to the game field. Yes, of course, two more games to see how guys respond in certain settings I think is important.”
But when I mentioned two players in particular who might be worthy of more snaps – running back Jerome Ford and safety D’Anthony Bell – Stefanski wouldn’t commit.
Ford has been a mainstay at kickoff return, currently ranking fourth in the NFL with a 25.3-yard average. But Ford has received only seven snaps at his natural position of running back, and Kareem Hunt, who has struggled all year, is sure to depart in free agency next season.
Bell is one of the most productive core players on special teams. His 220 snaps on special teams rank third behind Jordan Kunaszyk (317) and Tony Fields (273). But Bell, an undrafted free agent who made the team after a great first training camp, has only 13 snaps on defense while every safety ahead of him has been inconsistent.
“We will make decisions on players, like you mentioned,” Stefanski said. “Guys may get a couple more opportunities. Bottom line is we are going to do everything we can to try to win this game. That is really where our focus is. If a young guy warrants getting some extra plays, he might.”
Play for pride
Those players who kept holding out hope for remote playoff possibilities the past few games – ‘It’s not over.’ – have accepted reality. Another Browns losing season is guaranteed and the sixth double-digit losing season in 10 years of the Jimmy Haslam ownership is one loss away.
“Going into every year you always have high hopes, high goals, and when you don’t reach them it’s upsetting,” said tight end David Njoku. “Especially when you work so hard and you see your teammates working real hard. To not get there is tough. But such is life. It is what it is and you keep going.
“It’s a big test to see who loves this game as much as they say they do. I know me, I’m going to give it my all. I have no doubt we’re going to put our best foot forward. It’s tough because you have that thought in the back of your mind, damn we could have done this or should have done that, but we have no one to blame but ourselves. No one put us in this position but us.”
Running back Nick Chubb said it’s important to finish well, despite the record.
“I’ve been in the league for a while, so I know the team won’t look the same next year,” Chubb said. “I understand that. So just who we have now, everyone on the roster, let’s finish what we started and have fun doing it.
"I know this team very well. We want to keep fighting no matter what. We have a bunch of guys who are fighters. It’s not contingent on the playoffs."
Cornerback Greg Newsome said the Browns had the talent to make the playoffs.
“Super disappointing,” he said. “On paper, we have a very, very talented roster. But, obviously, we weren’t able to put everything together this year, for the season season.
“End of the day, this is our job. We’re competitors. There’s still a lot more things we can out there, so just compete.”
Brownie bits
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who missed the last game with a concussion, was out of protocol and practiced on a limited basis. Stefanski expects Clowney to play against Washington …
Left tackle Jedrick Wills was out with a back injury. “We are just working through something. We will see how the week goes and see how the next couple of days go,” Stefanski. There are some who would be interested to see how second-year tackle James Hudson would fare on the left side …
Chubb, a proud alum of Georgia, declined to give his prediction of the College Football Playoff semifinal game Saturday against Ohio State. “I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings around here,” Chubb said.
