Joe Flacco was one of six players with Super Bowl experience who spoke at a team meeting about what it takes to get to the Big Game. (Cleveland Browns)
Behind closed doors, Kevin Stefanski talked Super Bowl with his team
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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 …
On the first work day of the postseason, coach Kevin Stefanski talked Super Bowl with his players.
Yes, Mr. One-and-Oh allowed his team to ponder the path ahead to The Promised Land.
At a full team meeting, Stefanski had each player and coach who had been to a Super Bowl speak on the experience of getting to the big game.
“That was probably the best team meeting that I’ve been a part of,” said linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
“Just in reference to the focus, to the emphasis on making sure that you take every opportunity with intentionality. I think that’s the important part going into this whole week -- to be intentional.
“I think it was coach [Jim] Schwartz that said that when you have a great player, it can make you a legend, but if you have a great mistake, it can make you worse than any of the other cases for you. I think that’s the idea this week in the process -- to make sure that we correct all these things and figure out what we need to overcome.”
The Browns have six players with Super Bowl experience. They are:
* Quarterback Joe Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Ravens in the 2012 season game.* Safety Duran Harmon (Patriots, 2014, ’16, ’17, ‘18).* Safety Rodney McLeod (Eagles, 2017).* Offensive lineman Roger Saffold (Rams, 2018).* Receiver Marquise Goodwin (49ers, 2019).* Safety Juan Thornhill (Chiefs, 2019, ’20, ’22).
The coaches with Super Bowl experience are:* Offensive line coach Bill Callahan (Raiders, 2002).* Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone (Patriots, 2007).* Receivers coach Chad O’Shea (Patriots, 2014, ’16, ’17, ’18).* Schwartz (Eagles, 2017).
Flacco’s words carried a lot of weight because of his MVP award and his 10-5 overall record in post-season games.Flacco's seven wins on the road match Tom Brady for the league record (not including Super Bowls, which are considered neutral sites). Brady, of course, owns seven Super Bowl championships and is 35-13 in post-season games.
“Ultimately, the most important thing in playoff games is executing your fundamentals to the highest degree,” Flacco said.
“Everybody puts so much thought into what it takes to win these games. It’s doing the simple things the best you can and just playing good fundamental football. And this is the time of the year where that stuff shows up.
“Obviously, there’s going to be plays made and guys are going to make a name for themselves. Something’s going to happen over the next five weeks that we’re going to remember forever. And those are the things that you kind of see. But it’s just about playing fundamental, physical football and playing a full 60 minutes. And no matter what’s going on at the moment, being able to keep the blinders on and keep moving forward.”
McLeod said his message was that everybody must understand his role and, more importantly, accept his role.
“Some guys might be asked to do things differently than they ever done before in order to win,” he said. “So just putting the team first, make sure that continues to be at the forefront, sacrificing. What are you willing to do in order for us to put up a banner?
“It really is a one-game season every week. Tomorrow’s not promised. And then, not making the game any bigger than it needs to be. Don’t create a fictional character. Just be yourself. Heighten your level of focus, heighten your preparation, your details in film, your walk-through demeanor.”
Linebacker Sione Takitaki is one of 15 players who were on the 2020 Browns team that made the playoffs and won a wild-card game in Pittsburgh before exiting in the divisional round against the Chiefs. He said this Browns team is a closer-knit squad because the 2020 COVID season didn’t allow for the personal interaction on a daily basis of a normal year.
Takitaki’s take on the Super Bowl meeting:
“This is a very critical time,” he said. “In a season or in a game you can get away with not doing your job on one play and it kind of doesn’t affect it because it’s like Week 3. This is the playoffs. Every play matters. Just the detail and preparation you have to take to not make a mistake that costs us.”
Don't be surprised if Jeff Driskel is QB2 in the wild-card game in Houston. Kevin Stefanski declined to name the backup to Joe Flacco. (Cleveland Browns)
Brownie bits
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring) is “unlikely” to be ready for the Houston game, Stefanski said. Same with safety Grant Delpit. Both players, however, may be available if the Browns advance to the second round …
The Browns expect to be near full strength at receiver in Houston. Amari Cooper (heel) was a DNP on Tuesday for rest, Marquise Goodwin (knee) was limited, and Elijah Moore wasn’t even listed on the injury report. Cedric Tillman remains in concussion protocol, “but I think all those other guys are doing well,” Stefanski said …
Running back Nick Chubb rehabs in the facility every day from his second knee surgery but only recently has been seen by media in the locker room. It’s good to see Chubb …
Stefanski declined to say whether P.J. Walker or Jeff Driskel would be QB2 for the wild-card game in Houston. “We’re working through all that,” he said. Don’t be surprised if it’s Driskel …
Flacco has been the starting quarterback in six playoff seasons – all with the Ravens. He has never lost in his team’s first game in the postseason.
