In the early stages of the offseason program, the work is focused on the individual technique of players and fundamentals. Then as they move into the later phases, they can dive into the scheme and playbook when the coaches can be on the field with the players. Monken also emphasized that the players have a responsibility to memorize and learn the playbook before they can take the field with the coaches. Once they reach that stage, Monken wants the coaches to coach how to execute the playbook.
While Monken was pleased with the overall turnout for the voluntary program, one of the position groups Monken highlighted early was the quarterback room that consists of Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson. Just a couple of days into the program, and with what they are allowed to cover during the early stages of the program, Monken said he was "fired up" about the quarterback room.
"Each day they're going to gain more and more information of what we do and what we expect," Monken said. "I thought all three guys were bright-eyed, wanting to learn. You couldn't ask for a better start in that QB room."
The first phase of the offseason program is the first chance for Monken and the new coaching staff to work with their players and get to know them – and important benefit of the additional two weeks to the program for a new head coach. Then as the weeks progress and the Browns move through the different phases of the offseason program and into training camp, Monken said the goal is to develop a depth chart across all positions.
"We're going to have to roll a first unit out there and there's some past history that plays in that and a little bit of guesswork on where they're at and what we've seen up until this point in the classroom," Monken said. "And maybe a little bit of what we've heard, I mean, that all goes into it, but eventually it'll all work itself out. Whatever the number of reps – I said it a week ago – it doesn't eliminate the competition. It just doesn't. I mean, players decide who plays. I don't decide who plays. The players decide that. It's not where they start, it's where they finish. It's where they end up."