CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Following a disappointing debut Sunday, the Browns say they haven’t lost confidence in Deshaun Watson following a 33-17 loss to the Cowboys.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski also provided a couple of injury updates.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Monday’s Zoom video conferences.
Fixing 4 – If the Browns can’t fix Deshaun Watson they are in a heap of trouble in 2024 and going forward. “It's never a one man show,” Stefanski said. “To get in rhythm with the quarterback, you have to get in rhythm as an offense, and we didn't do that well enough, whether it was, and it's multifaceted and it includes me and it includes our coaches, so we'll be better.” It didn’t help that Watson got drilled 17 times – six sacks and 11 more QB hits in the loss. “He was a warrior,” running back Jerome Ford said. “Him bleeding, you just seeing him take those hits. Of course we don't like it. We don't want him to be hit and we as a team – wide receivers, running backs, offensive line, we all have to make sure that we have it picked up and he's just a warrior man.” The Browns offense went three-and-out six times in seven series and it probably would have been seven straight if not for an interception on second down. Watson’s timing with his receivers is off and he was unable to read or handle the pressure Dallas brought Sunday. “I don't think anybody has lost confidence in this building,” Ford said. “And we're going to continue to put our faith in him and he'll be able to show everybody that he can still do it and it's coming soon.”
Ground game – The Browns ran the ball just 19 times Sunday where they averaged 4.9 yards per carry. They tallied 93 yards between Ford, Pierre Strong and Watson, but ony six carries for 23 yards came in the first half. “I think the run game always going to be a priority,” Ford said. “And I think our coaches and our line, I think everybody loves to run the ball.” The volume of three-and-outs and scoreboard didn’t help either. “We didn't execute too well on a little things and we going to work on it,” Ford said.
Njoku update – Tight end David Njoku could miss time due to the ankle injury suffered Sunday. Officially, Stefanski said Njoku is “week to week” and the team will take the next 24-48 hours to evaluate their options at the position should he be unavailable this week. “I think we'll see how this week goes,” Stefanski said. “But Dave, as you know, provides great value to this team in a bunch of different areas, but if we are without him, then we'll make sure that we have a plan.
Flags upfront – The Browns offensive line was flagged six times Sunday – Three times for illegal formation and one of those was declined, two false starts and an illegal man downfield. The five pre-snap penalties are a problem, especially with right tackle Dawand jones being flagged for three of them. “As you know, those pre-snap penalties are really self-inflicted wounds that we absolutely will get corrected,” Stefanski said.
No pick – The Washington Commanders released kicker Cade York Monday, a day after York missed both field goal attempts in their loss at Tampa Bay. York’s release means the Browns will not receive a seventh-round pick because York needed to be on Washington’s roster for two weeks.
Stay tuned – Stefanski did not have an update on offensive tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin. Wills was ruled out on Friday and Conklin was inactive Sunday. Both players are coming off season-ending knee surgeries in 2023.
Injury report – LB Mohamoud Diabate (hip), TE David Njoku (ankle), DT Maurice Hurst (ankle) LB Tony Fields II (ankle) are all “week to week” while CB Martin Emmerson Jr. (ankle) will be fine according to Stefanski.
