CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Kevin Stefanski has had to navigate a lot of challenges since taking over in January as the Browns head coach.
The quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the social justice movement that has swept the nation in the wake of George Floyd’s death have put football into perspective, and at times on the backburner.
If there’s been one benefit to the virtual offseason, it’s allowed Stefanski to get to know his players better with them calling in from their homes.
“We have to come together as a team. The challenge has been to come together while many miles apart,” Stefanski said Wednesday on a Zoom conference with reporters. “It is a challenge but not something that we can’t do.”
Stefanski has tried to mix in some fun in between rolling out his playbook and holding serious and needed conversations about racial equality as well as staying healthy and safe.
Last week, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said they held a slam dunk and movie poster competition prompting Stefanski to playfully pretend to chastise Van Pelt for the revelation when asked about it.
“We have tried a few different things. We have some unique people on this team, I will tell you,” Stefanski said. “Again, anything to kind of get a laugh, keep this thing as loose and start to come together. That is going to be a challenge when we do physically come together, as well. It is something I am thinking very seriously about. As important as the Xs and Os are, we are working really hard on the team building aspect, as well.”
With the offensive and defensive installs coming to a completion, Stefanski plans to spend the balance of the time remaining in their offseason program reviewing starting next week.
The Browns are expected to report for training camp July 28, along with most of the league, barring any changes in scheduling between the league and NFLPA.
It was reported Wednesday that there are ongoing conversations between the league and players about the preseason schedule and number of games to be played.
Regardless of the decision that is made, Stefanski is ready to roll with whatever gets thrown his way next.
“In terms of the protocols, whatever the rules are, we will play by the rules,” Stefanski said. “We are like every other team. We are all in the same boat. I think the message has always been and will continue to be we just have to find a way. To our players’ credit, the way they are learning on these Zoom calls, to our coaches’ credit, the way they are teaching, the workouts that the players are doing and some of them are in their garages that have been retrofitted as gyms, they are just finding a way.”
Stefanski hoped to have the Browns practice with the Packers for a few days leading up to their preseason game Aug. 22 but the NFL eliminated them for camps this year for safety reasons.
“I think it is always valuable to work against a different team, a different-colored jersey at that point of camp,” Stefanski said. “I think it is helpful to go against a different scheme. That defensive scheme is different than our defensive scheme that we will be facing in camp so there is some value.”
Since returning to the Browns facility in Berea, Stefanski has found navigating it to be, interesting.
“There are some street signs and one-way hallways, and you are wearing your mask everywhere and you maintain social distance,” Stefanski said. “These are the protocols, and this is to stay safe and this is to make sure that we have a safe environment for our staff, for our entire building and for our players. This is what is required, and we are going to adhere to the protocols to the T.
“It is different, though, as you can imagine. When you are walking around the building and you are wearing those masks, you kind of have to stare at them real closely to see who that person is. It has been interesting.”
