Amid uncertainties with Deshaun Watson and Baker Mayfield, Kevin Stefanski has enjoyed his first 'normal' offseason program. (TheLandOnDemand)
Kevin Stefanski upbeat about building team chemistry in his first ‘normal’ offseason
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
It wouldn’t seem like a good time for Kevin Stefanski. He doesn’t know how many games he’ll be without starting QB Deshaun Watson and there’s still no resolution to the Baker Mayfield dilemma.
But Stefanski actually has reveled in his first “normal” offseason program in three seasons as Browns coach.
While some coaches have canceled their mandatory minicamps as rewards for good work during OTAs, Stefanski is taking advantage of every practice opportunity possible.
He did surprise his players on the last official OTA practice with a morning of shooting hoops at the Cavaliers practice facility. And Wednesday’s minicamp practice at the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be shortened to about 30 minutes to allow for a full visit of the museum. But Stefanski had no intention of cancelling minicamp.
“I like this offseason,” Stefanski said. “I like when you have players here and you can get work done. No, [cancelling minicamp] was not a consideration.”
Stefanski took heed of players’ opinions at the end of last season that the team was disconnected. He has sought to bond the team through off-the-field experiences.
The trip to the Hall of Fame was part of that effort.
“It is equal parts a team-building opportunity,” he said. “We will still practice down there – it will be short. I know it is going to be hot tomorrow. I think we will get a lot done. Just the bus ride down, there are some things that we can do together, which it is nice to be able to ride buses without masks. I just think it is a great opportunity to be around the team, be around each other and then learn – learn about the guys who have come before us, which I think is just so important.”
JOK agrees
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was outspoken after his rookie season about the lack of team chemistry. He is pleased about how the organization listened and responded.
“As we have gotten into the offseason, the front office has done a good job in recruiting, and the front office did a good job in implementing those team aspects to us,” he said. “You saw the [Watson-sponsored] Bahamas trip. You saw the Miami trip with the defense [organized by Myles Garrett].
“We are just really trying to build that camaraderie between the two. Again, we come out here and go to different places off the field, so it has been good, it has been propelling and it has been going up.”
Yes, JOK thinks it is important for a team to bond off the field.
“When we talk about the understanding of communicating with each other and team chemistry, it is very little things that matter,” he said. “Many documentaries have come out for different teams and how they operate off the field and how it has translated on the field. It is nothing new to sports. It nothing new to us. That is just something we have been looking forward to implementing, and it has been working well.”
Buzbee weighs in
Shortly after Watson’s 10-minute press conference, in which he reiterated his innocence of charges of sexual assault and misconduct, Tony Buzbee, attorney of the 24 plaintiffs suing Watson – soon to be 26 – issued the following statement:
“We were sent the video of the Watson press conference. We appreciate the Cleveland market and its fervent support with regard to its new quarterback, Deshaun Watson. But: given the volume of the credible cases filed, the lead detective's sworn testimony, the undisputed facts, and the heartbreak, pain, and havoc Watson has caused, we think it would be appropriate to see Deshaun Watson express some regret or remorse in the way he treated these women, some of which have sued and many others who haven't, yet.
“Attending some sort of counseling would be at least some step forward. We have nothing else to say on the subject.”
Watson disclosed he is receiving counseling to deal with the stress of the legal issues, but previously said he does need other forms of counseling because he didn’t feel he had a problem.
Brownie bits
While most observers believe that the Browns should brace for a longer suspension of Deshaun Watson, the Browns have not adjusted to giving more snaps to Jacoby Brissett to prepare him to start the season at quarterback. In a 15-minute walk-through session prior to team pre-practice exercises, Watson took every offensive snap with first-, second- and third-teamers. “I would say we are waiting on more information going into the season. We are not at that point yet,” Stefanski said …
The Browns are not ready to declare right tackle Jack Conklin ready for the start of training camp. Conklin had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his right knee on about Dec. 1. “We will see on training camp, but he has been here every day,” Stefanski said. “He is working really, really hard. I think he is transforming his body. I think he is getting stronger. As you know, Jack has attacked this rehab, but him being here and being around his teammates has been important. Where that looks, I do not know, but I am very confident that he is on schedule.”
