Joe Flacco not named Browns starting QB for Jaguars just yet
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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 …
Coach Kevin Stefanski again declined to name Joe Flacco the starting quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
At the same time, erstwhile starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson returned to practice on a limited basis.
What’s going on? Gamesmanship with Jaguars coach Doug Pederson? Unlikely. Respect shown toward DTR as he works through concussion protocol? Possibly.
Or is there really a sentiment in the offices above the head coach to give the fifth-round drafted rookie the nod at this crucial point in the season over a 15-year veteran and former Super Bowl MVP signed out of desperation?
If the latter is actually being discussed, the decision-makers should take the temperature of their locker room.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson returned to practice, leaving Kevin Stefanski unable to answer who will start at quarterback against the Jaguars. (Cleveland Browns)
A couple of key defensive players were asked their opinion of Flacco’s debut in Los Angeles, in which he came “off the couch” after 11 months of inactivity and passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams. An interception at about the 6-minute mark turned a 20-19 deficit into a 36-19 Rams’ rout.
“Man, he brings a veteran leadership. He throws the ball down the field a lot and makes good decisions,” said safety Grant Delpit. “So, defense, we got to have his back. He’s playing well like that. We didn’t have it last game, so we’re going to get him this game.”
Linebacker Anthony Walker said he wasn’t surprised by Flacco’s impressive first outing with the Browns.
“No. This is a guy who’s done it at the highest level in the NFL,” Walker said. “Seeing him do it on Sunday was just another walk in the park for him. I know he wants a couple of plays back. We all do. But I thought he played really well.”
Walker cherishes the experience Flacco brings to the team.
“That command of the huddle, the guys feeling comfortable in the huddle with you and all that stuff, you never want to take that for granted, and that’s what he does. He brings that calm and presence to that huddle, and I think the guys really believe in him,” Walker said.
Awards a’plenty
Walker this week was named the Browns’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (for contributions on the field and in the community) and also the Ed Block Courage Award (for coming back from a severe injury).
“He’s getting all the awards,” exclaimed Delpit.
“This testimony in the AWalk,” he added. “Man, when I first got here, my second year, coming back from injury, he really helped me out. He’s always a guy that you can come through with anything, and he’s going to make sure you’re right on and off the field. So definitely like a lockdown guy. And we’re so glad to have him back this year.”
Stefanski opened his daily press conference by acknowledging the team’s votes on Walker.
“Incredible influence on this football team, in the locker room, on the field, and then in our community,” Stefanski said. “I think he does an amazing job, sets a great example for all of our players on how to be a pro, how to make an impact, again, both on your football team and on your community. So really proud of AWalk.”
Walker, who was also voted a team captain in September, believes there’s more to his job than playing on Sundays.
“The legacy that you leave in the community that you played in, obviously back home where you’re from, I really try touch those areas really hard,” he said. “My dad is really big on education, so I’ve always been big on youth education and how can I help my community in that way. So back home, [I] do a lot of school drives and going to speak with students at different schools and stuff, but here, ‘Stay in the Game!’
“The Browns have given me a great platform to do that with, ‘Stay in the Game!’, the organization, and being able to just be in the classrooms with the kids. You saw the cleats, my cause my cleats, they were able to do. I thought that was cool you know, obviously I want to keep doing that, keep leaving my legacy in that way. Obviously, you want to win, you want to do good things on the field as well. But off the field, is that lasting legacy that you want to leave.”
Brownie bits
Cornerback Denzel Ward, who missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, returned to practice on a limited basis. Ward was in good spirits in the locker room, on course to play on Sunday, and said he’ll speak to media on Thursday …
Receiver Amari Cooper was a DNP not only because he’s in concussion protocol and also dealing with a rib injury …
Besides Thompson-Robinson, receiver Marquise Goodwin returned to practice – the last step in passing through his concussion protocol …
Running back Kareem Hunt (groin), defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (groin) and safety Juan Thornhill (calf) were injury DNPs …
Rookie cornerback Cameron Mitchell (hamstring) was designated for return from injured reserve. That means he could return to practice. The Browns have 21 days to activate Mitchell or his season is over. He is expected to be activated this week. Meanwhile, left tackle Jedrick Wills (knee sprain) was not designated for return. That means Wills isn’t ready to return to practice.
