CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns were happy Joe Flacco had such a great game for the Bengals on Thursday night, and have no regrets about trading him there.
In fact, they wouldn’t have traded him there unless he had an opportunity to start.
They would’ve kept him here and let him continue to back up rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, which is what they fully expected would happen.
As usual, Kevin Stefanski opted to block out the noise and not get drawn into a controversy. In fact, he didn’t watch the game, in which Flacco went 31 of 47 for 342 yards with 3 TDs and 0 INTs and a 108.6 rating en route to a 33-31 victory over the Bengals.
“I’m definitely asleep on Thursday nights,” Stefanski said.
Asked again if he were in alignment with Browns GM Andrew Berry about the trade, Stefanski declined to relitigate it.
“Respectfully, we’re worried about this game in front of us,” Stefanski said. “Got the Miami Dolphins coming to town. That really has all my focus, all of our energies, nothing that’s happening outside.”
Stefanski, who noted that the trade took them by surprise, later clarified the Browns were surprised the Bengals came calling for him, not that the actual trade was made. In fact, the key decision-makers all signed off on it once the Bengals assured them that Flacco would be starting.
Once Stefanski made the decision to bench Flacco after his 1-3 start and turn it over to Gabriel, there was no turning back. If Gabriel needs to be replaced for any reason, Shedeur Sanders will be the next man up. The plan is to give Gabriel plenty of on-ramp to develop and show what he can do, but if the offense doesn’t start to produce some points, they’ll undoubtedly give Sanders a chance to bolster it.
Even Myles Garrett, who was excited about Flacco’s signing, understood why they made the move.
“It makes me see that whatever offense that they’re committed to running to produce wins doesn’t see that Joe is going to be the most productive in that offense,” he said Friday. “So they want to move the pocket a little bit. Maybe his style and what he does doesn’t fit us as we want to run it. That’s what I see.”
Besides, with the Browns offensive tackle woes this season, Flacco often didn’t have the time he needed to get the ball downfield. And with the Browns transitioning to their rookie and younger players, Flacco didn’t have a Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to throw to. Flacco struggled to develop chemistry with Jerry Jeudy, and receivers dropped a lot of his passes.
The 1-5 Browns, who have a 2.3% chance of making the playoffs this season, were never worried about Flacco would do in Cincinnati, knowing that he was basically finished here.
But the organization in general was happy for his performance Thursday night and will continue to wish him well.
On Mike Tomlin’s remarks
The Browns didn’t make too much of Mike Tomlin’s remarks, because they know they came from a place of Tomlin having to face Flacco instead of Jake Browning, and that Flacco would be a load, like he’s always been for Tomlin.
In fact, the victory gave Flacco a winning record over the Steelers at 12-11, with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. What’s more, Tomlin undoubtedly recognized that Flacco would give the Bengals a chance to get back in the playoff hunt. They’re now 3-4 after losing four straight with Browning, and might get Joe Burrow (turf toe surgery) back in December.
Nevertheless, Tomlin rocked the NFL world when he called out Browns GM Andrew Berry during a press conference.
“It was shocking to me,” he said. “Andrew Berry must be a lot smarter than me or us. Because it doesn’t make sense to me, to trade a quarterback that you think enough of to make your opening day starter to a division opponent that’s hurting in that area. but that’s just my personal feelings.”
On Myles Garrett’s frustration
The Browns expect their players to be frustrated with the losing — they’ve lost three straight — and to be searching for answers on how to turn things around.
Specifically, Garrett expressed dismay after the Steelers game about the Browns losing the same way every week, meaning the defense mostly playing well and the offense not scoring. He said Friday he’s still just as frustrated and that it won’t dissipate until the Browns stack some wins. He also noted that he would’ve like to see the Browns run Quinshon Judkins more vs. the Steelers, “but they saw it differently.”
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had no problem
“Myles is one of our key players, and he certainly has a voice and certainly has his opinion,” Schwartz said. “Anybody that wants to stand behind their statements and speak up, I don’t see any issue with that.”
Linebackers coach Jason Tarver said “we’ve got two jobs. And coaches have two jobs – helping players get better to make plays and get the ball back to the offense, that’s it. And that’s all we can think about. So, every day when we get started, that’s how we start.
“We start with – put the ball down, and then it’s our job to stop you. And we can’t think past that. And we have to do better as a defense, as all of us in having that mindset right there. I have to. I’m lecturing myself as I talk to you to get our minds right, to no matter what happens, and you’ve heard this from me before, the next play is my best play.”
Joel Bitonio, who’s lived through 1-31 and so much losing in his 12 seasons, understands Garrett’s frustration with the lack of point.
“Yeah, we want to be better for our defense,” he said. “We want to get them a two-score lead to try and let ‘em rush the passer and unleash it. I think a lot of teams have realized, get the ball out quick, try and neutralize our defense’s pass rush because they’ve done a good job when they’re allowed to rush the quarterback. And for us on offense, we have to put a little pressure on them so that they’re going to have to start taking shots and start things.
“So I totally get it. I mean if you’re sitting here and you’re 1-5 and you’re not frustrated at things, that’s a bad sign. So we’re all on the same page in that boat and then, yeah, losing sucks. Anytime you’re losing games and they’re stacking up, it is frustrating, it gets to you, but that’s why you play. You play to win the game. You try and do whatever you can in your power to get those wins. When you get them after those losses, they’re even sweeter.”
Shedeur Sander making great progress
The Browns couldn’t be much happier right now with Sanders, who continues to make great strides in practice and get close to being ready to play. The Browns have watch Sanders come up the learning curve quickly and operate the offense efficiently in practice, including all of the pre-snap responsibilities.
He’s been working overtime to improve, both inside the facility and elsewhere, including on Friday afternoons at Baldwin Wallace University, where he throws to some of the college players.
The Browns also like the fact that Sanders has vowed to tone it down some off the field and avoid distractions. They’re confident he’ll perform well when he gets his chance at some point this season.
His teammates have noticed.
“Exceptional,” Njoku told cleveland.com Friday. “He’s an exceptional athlete. An exceptional quarterback.”
David Njoku expected back next week
Njoku, ruled out for the Dolphins game, is expected back next week in New England, he told cleveland.com.
He was knocked out of the Steelers game after what he called “a brutal hit” by former Browns safety Juan Thornhill, but also said the hit was legal.
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