CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – It takes talent to win in the NFL.
But it guarantees nothing, including playoff berths – just ask the Browns.
Receiver Amari Cooper was asked about the talented Browns being home for a second straight year after Week 18.
“Every team is talented,” Cooper said Thursday. “It's kind of a difficult question to answer because I don't think talent necessarily gets you in the playoffs.”
Cooper couldn’t put his finger on why the Browns were unable to live up to their potential in 2022.
“I don't know. We just didn't win enough games obviously,” Cooper said.
So what is the key to success besides talent?
“I don't know what the number one thing is. I'm not a playoff expert,” Cooper said. “I don't believe it's talent because I've seen a lot of times where teams have a lot of talent, probably more talent than other teams that make the playoffs. So it can't just be talent alone.”
Offseason work – Quarterback Deshaun Watson and Cooper plan to work out together during the offseason to work on their timing.
“Oh yeah, hundred percent. I know we will,” Cooper said. “I asked him where he is going to be at in the offseason [Wednesday]. Yeah, definitely. We're going to work together a lot.”
Watson plans to meet with EVP/GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski before taking off for the offseason to figure out who will be here next year in the hope to include as many offensive skill players as possible in the workouts.
“I'm not exactly sure exactly where we're going to work out, but we're definitely going to get time to get the timing and everything that we want for the next season adjusted and well repped out,” Watson said. “I know there's going to be a lot of changes. That's how the NFL roster season goes, especially in the offseason.”
Lead by example – Defensive coordinator Joe Woods didn’t have much to say about Kevin Stefanski’s decision to bench Myles Garrett for the first defensive series against the Saints last Saturday.
“That is an internal decision,” Woods said. “I know Kevin probably talked to you guys about that, and he would be the guy to ask.”
It’s unusual for a team captain to be disciplined but Woods feels Garrett has held up his end of the bargain when it comes to team leadership this season.
“I thought he definitely stepped up from the offseason throughout the season and tried to be because you have to be a leader in your own way,” Woods said. “Some guys are leaders vocally. Some guys are leader by example. I think he is a little bit of both. I felt like he stepped up and did a good job.
“We just obviously don’t want to have any issues. Throughout the year, we have had multiple issues with certain guys so those are definitely things we want to clean up. In terms of him as a leader, I felt like he really tried to step up and do a good job for us this year.”
Garrett isn’t the first defensive player to be disciplined this year. Rookie defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey was sent home from practice for the week and was idle for a game and safety Grant Delpit was held back for a play, denying him a start, for disciplinary reasons.
Clowney idle – A day after returning to practice from a concussion, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was absent Thursday due to an illness.
Going for it – Had the Browns scored a touchdown on their final offensive series against the Saints, they likely would have gone for two according to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
“That is where we were heading,” Van Pelt said. “I know we had talked about it prior to that drive to be ready for a 2-point play here to end it.”
With temperatures in the single digits and wind chills 20 below, nobody wanted overtime, not even the coaches.
Notable quotable – “I saw him grow up right before my very eyes on Saturday afternoon during pregame. I loved the way he approached that game. I know he just had the two opportunities, and he did a good job with both of them. Kicking here is not easy. It will never be easy; I don’t care if it is in August, December or January. I really like the way he approached it, and I was proud of the way he has approached our stadium all year long.” – Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer on rookie kicker Cade York.
Injury report – DNP: DE Jadeveon Clowney (concussion/illness), LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (back), RB Demetric Felton (illness); LIMITED: WR Amari Cooper (rest/hip), S John Johnson III (thigh); FULL: DT Jordan Elliott (elbow), RB Kareem Hunt (shoulder), RG Wyatt Teller (ankle), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder)
Up next – Practice Friday.