The analytics expert with direct communication to Kevin Stefanski during crucial moments of games is Dave Giuliani, Browns director of football research and strategy.
Second thoughts: Who’s making the Browns’ calls in crucial situations? Kevin Stefanski says it is ‘100 percent me’
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Second thoughts on Browns’ 23-20 loss to Atlanta Falcons …
1. For decades, the rule of thumb in the NFL was to take the easy points on the road instead of gambling on a fourth-down conversion. Kick the field goal, no matter how short. But NFL analytics departments now exist essentially to challenge “rules of thumb.” And since the Browns are at the forefront of the NFL analytics explosion, it’s fair to ask whether Kevin Stefanski was using sound football judgment when he eschewed an easy field goal on the Browns’ first offensive series or merely following the recommendation of Dave Giuliani, the Browns director of football research and strategy who is tied into Stefanski’s headset during games via the coach’s booth. The decision backfired and the three points squandered proved the difference in another close Browns’ loss. After the game, Stefanski defended his decision by saying, “I’m not going to be results-based. I’m going to always fall back on our process and try to put us in position to succeed.” On Monday, I asked him if Giuliani merely provides data in that situation, or does he have the authority to make the decision for Stefanski. The coach was not pleased with the question. “For me, in all of those decisions, it is 100 percent me making the decision,” he said. “I take in information from our coaches and from our staff up in the booth and on the sideline, and then ultimately, you have to own them. When they don’t work, you are frustrated, but it is my decision. I understand what you are asking, but when we get down in those situations, I take in all of the information and I make a decision.”
2. It’s a fair question because everyone knows that embracing analytics was a condition of the job when Stefanski was hired by Paul DePodesta, chief strategy officer. (Yes, owner Jimmy Haslam made the hire, but DePodesta conducted the search and made the recommendation to hire Stefanski.) Recall that John Dorsey’s regime imploded essentially because the former old-school GM and his staff disrespected DePodesta’s analytics department. One of the many memorable scenes of the Browns’ Hard Knocks appearance in the summer of 2019 was Dorsey playfully grilling a young analytics underling. Giuliani was hired in 2016 by DePodesta after stints with the analytics-advanced 49ers and Eagles. On the day Stefanski was hired, DePodesta indicated that utilizing Guiliani on game days was discussed in the interview process with candidates. “In fact, there are a bunch of head coaches that say, ‘Hey, I am going to need a guy on a headset,’ and we were able to tell him, ‘Oh, we have got a guy, do not worry,’” DePodesta said.
3. With so much help available to him, it’s a wonder how Stefanski continues to bungle critical game situations. In addition to the fourth-down foul-up, the Browns blew a first-and-goal situation at the Falcons’ 1 at the end of the first half. Nick Chubb was stuffed for no gain on first down. On second down, right guard Wyatt Teller was flagged for holding, as an apparent pass play for tackle-eligible Hjalte Froholdt was snuffed out by the Falcons and Jacoby Brissett threw incomplete for David Njoku. On the replayed second down, Brissett was panicked by pressure and failed to get a short throw to Kareem Hunt, who had a freeway to the end zone. On third down, Brissett’s low-percentage throw for Amari Cooper to the left corner of the end zone sailed five yards out of bounds. The Browns had to kick a field goal, getting three there instead of seven. Stefanski’s take: “When we get down there, you have a plan for goal line. They had not been in goal line this season so you are also waiting to see what their alignment and what their front is this season. Sometimes you are fortunate enough to scheme a guy open down there. When you don’t, you hope it is incomplete and then it is third-and-1 from the 1. Unfortunately, we had the holding penalty.”
4. After two improved appearances in Games 2 and 3, the conversation was “How high is Brissett’s ceiling?” We have a bigger picture now. Brissett’s frantic play under duress is what has kept him from advancing to full-time starter in his career. The Browns are middle of the road in red zone offense with nine touchdowns in 16 trips inside the 20. In the red zone, Brissett is 7 for 21 for 52 yards and four touchdowns, with a passer rating of 81.94. On fourth-and-3 from the Falcons 4 on the Browns’ first possession, Brissett whizzed the ball against the wall five yards beyond the end zone, as if he thought it was third down. There was the pass in the dirt for Hunt and the uncatchable ball for Cooper on the red zone series before the half. At the end, Brissett needed maybe another five yards for a legit Cade York field goal attempt after he had the Browns at the Falcons 41 with 1:36 to go. On second down, Brissett pump-faked before delivering late for Kareem Hunt on a screen play. That hesitation caused guard Joel Bitonio to be too far downfield, which drew a 10-yard penalty. Then came a Baker Mayfield-like finish – an 8-yard sack and then an interception on a desperation pass for David Bell in triple coverage. Brissett didn’t see D’Ernest Johnson all alone in the middle of the field at the Falcons’ 45 with no defender within five yards of him. Both of the Browns’ losses have ended with a Brissett interception when only 10-15 yards were needed for a York game-winning try. “He wants plays back like I want play-calls back,” Stefanski said after the game. “We’ll look at it and grow from it.”
5. The Browns have to find a way to promote punt returner Chester Rogers from the practice squad to the 53. Rogers couldn’t be elevated for the Falcons game because the Browns needed their two allotted moves for defensive replacements. Rogers is a proven NFL punt returner, but until he is promoted permanently to the 53 the Browns are at the mercy of injuries as to whether Rogers can be active on game day. “The roster is always fluid,” Stefanski said. “You are always looking game to game who can help you.”
6. Ironman of the game: Cornerback Denzel Ward, who was on the injury list all week with back and rib injuries, was one of five defensive players who logged all 55 snaps on defense. Ward’s play of late has come under fire, not only externally but also internally. Ward was credited with a tackle-for-loss, a pass defensed and had an interception that led to a go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter. But Ward’s facemask penalty after that 42-yard catch-and-run by Olamide Zaccheaus aided Atlanta’s game-winning field goal drive.
7. Second guess: Any time the Browns drop back to pass inside the red zone, I want to cover my eyes.
