CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski took questions from reporters on Friday with regard to the Tyson Campbell trade, naming quarterback Shedeur Sanders the second-stringer, preparing to play the Pittsburgh Steelers, and more.
Below is the transcript as provided by the Browns media relations department:
Opening Statement:
“Good crisp practice out there. Pleased with how this group worked all week, and then obviously understand the challenge that we have this week- in the division, on the road, good football team. So, have to play our best, got to play your best when your best is required. And obviously that’s what our focus has been on offense, defense and on special teams this week. I’m so excited about the opportunity. But with that, I’ll take any questions.”
Kevin (Stefanski), when you make a trade on a Wednesday night, how difficult is that? And what have you seen from Tyson (Campbell) since he’s been here?
“Yeah, happened late at night like you mentioned. So, you want to make sure you talk to a bunch of the guys. I didn’t get a chance to talk to Greg (Newsome II) until that next morning. But yeah, I think Coach (Jim) Schwartz summed it up very well. I mean, these are tough, because you get so close to your teammates and that type of thing, but we’re excited about Tyson coming in here. He’s a really good football player. He fits in really well culturally, personally, and I think schematically. This is a really good football player that we’re excited to have.”
Have you decided yet if Shedeur (Sanders) is ready to be your number two quarterback for this game?
“Yes, Shedeur will be the backup.”
And what is your thinking in that?
“Yeah, like I told you guys on Wednesday, I’m always thinking about our players and what’s best for our players. And I want to make sure when it comes to young football players, particularly at the quarterback position, that you are intentional about your decision making and that’s really all it is. So, excited for all of our guys.”
What’s the key for him having never been in the number two role? So, what’s the key to that this week and even Sunday?
“I think the big thing there is all of us play our role throughout the weekend, and on Sunday. And obviously that quarterback role is a little bit different. We’re doing everything we can to support the starter, and then you have to be ready in a moment’s notice. That’s just the life of backup players at every position. And we’ve said that here over the years, all the time, that you have to stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready. But again, that’s our job as coaches, as players to be ready when a call comes.”
Are you concerned about only taking two quarterbacks into this game?
“We’ve done it before.”
What about Cam Robinson? How did he progress this week and do you anticipate him starting with you on that offensive line?
“Yeah, continues to do better and better. A very good understanding, like I told you guys last week, just what we’re doing schematically. But just comfort with everything, comfort with the play calls, comfort playing next to Joel (Bitonio) – that type of rapport and those types of things. So, he’s handled everything well.”
What are some of the things that you’ve seen from Shedeur, just even over the last couple weeks as he’s continued to come up the learning curve, from a mental standpoint and physical standpoint?
“Just to tell you, Mary Kay (Cabot), all of our young players work really hard in this building, utilizing all the resources that we have to improve every single day. So, I think that’s true of this rookie class, second year guys, third year guys. I think all of them are doing everything in their power to get up to speed. And like I’ve told you guys with rookies, there’s a learning curve – there are things that you’re going to pick up over the course of time. I think all of our guys have done a nice job of incrementally getting better. Certainly, with the process of an NFL season, the process of a week, what those types of things look like.”
You mentioned Wednesday you wanted to make sure before you made this decision on the quarterback, that this is the best for player development and for the team. How did you make sure this is the best thing for Shedeur as well?
“Yeah, again, just to probably repeat myself, just in any decision with the football team, just want to make sure to take my time and make sure I’m doing what’s right for all the players. And that’s this decision, that’s really every decision.”
Kevin, I want some clarity on the Joe Flacco trade. You said you were shocked initially. Were you more shocked? because…
“Did I say shocked?”
Yeah, you said shocked or surprised. Were you surprised on the trade itself, or you were more surprised at the making of this call?
“Yeah, I didn’t think Joe was getting traded this season, that was the surprise. Obviously, those things happen over the course of a day, so you have time to talk through those types of things. But surprise maybe because we didn’t make the phone call, they did.”
The other day you talked about how Aaron Rodgers might be the best thrower I think you’ve ever seen. I mean, we’ve all seen him, but what do you like most, and is there a throw that stands out from all the times you’ve gone against?
“Seen a lot of them, yeah, just natural arm talent, the whippiness of his motion and how the ball comes out of his hand. I’ve seen, unfortunately, a lot of those throws as a coach with the (Minnesota) Vikings. I can remember early in his tenure, when he came in and not a lot was known about him, obviously, a top pick in the first round, but hadn’t played. But, just the natural ability to rip the ball to all areas of the field was very, very impressive.”
For most descriptions, he was famous for extending plays and going down the field. Now his passes are in the 10-yard area or just getting the ball off quickly. Just what do you make of that evolution?
“I think just every offense kind of does a nice job of playing to the strengths of all their players. I mean, they’re getting the ball out quick, but they’re having an insane amount of YAC yards, and that comes from accuracy with his throws. So, I think they’re just constructing an offense that suits all their players, but he has the ability to make every throw.”
How has Mike (Hall Jr.) continued to progress back from his knee injury?
“Yeah, Mike’s doing a really nice job. I think he’s had some really good moments in these practices, as we’ve talked about, really attacking this rehab, and certainly it seems to be – to me – just watching him ,getting better every single day.”
How about Dillon (Gabriel) this week? Just how did he come through the week and maybe build on some of the things that you saw him do in the game?
“Yeah, I think with young football players, a lot of things that there seeing in-game will be firsts – first certainly in the NFL. But this is really the first road game, first time in Pittsburgh (Steelers), obviously the challenges that come with playing on the road. So, I thought he’s attacked this game plan really, really well. Understands what we’re trying to do. He works extremely hard at the mental side of this and making sure that he’s prepared. And I thought he had a good week.”
And if Shedeur does get in the game, do you feel confident that he can run most of the concepts and plays that Dillon does or do you have to change it up?
“Yeah, I think with any quarterback that is in there, you’re always playing to their strengths. But our focus obviously is making sure that we’re running our offense and being sound in everything we do.”
Kevin, was it awkward at all to address the team after trading two guys this week? I mean, do you feel like they need to address things any different than you normally would when you see them in the morning?
“Yeah, again, not to get into all the specifics about what I talk to the team about, but our guys understand, there’s a business element to this, and an aspect to the game of football. And you know, sometimes you lose players due to injury, or trades or what have you, and doesn’t make you care about them any less as a person. But that’s the business. We’re excited about getting Tyson in here, that’s a good football player that’s going to help us. So, that’s the other part of this, is adding a new teammate, getting to know your new teammate and those types of things.”
I mean, I think a lot of people have been to Pittsburgh, but just for the rookies that don’t know what makes Pittsburgh such a unique place to play?
“Yeah, I think this division has some great rivalries among all four teams. Obviously, bussing to Pittsburgh just speaks to the proximity of these two cities and the fan bases. So, it becomes personal, because you have some cousins probably on either side of the state lines. But the guys understand how important these games are, understand what’s at stake and those types of things. But I think the proximity certainly of Cleveland and Pittsburgh is rare.”
As your offensive line continues to build chemistry with one another, gain chemistry with one another- what’s the key to stopping this Steelers defensive line? Especially limiting the impact that T.J. Watt has.
“Yeah, obviously an excellent front that we have a ton of respect for. And it becomes the entire offense’s job to make sure that they’re doing all those things to limit their impact on the game. Understand that they have great players over there, and we got to make sure that we’re just focused on doing our job.”
How is Mike Hall progressing, and is he getting close?
“Yeah, he’s getting very close. He’s doing well, doing everything he’s asked.”
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