CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – With this Browns season spiraling out of control, the countdown is on to potential sweeping changes.
10 down, seven to go.
Here’s a few Brownie Bites from Monday’s Zooms.
Hot seat – Considering the abject failure in all three phases this season and the inability to get this team on track, it’s fair to say Kevin Stefanski’s seat is warming up, but the two-time NFL coach of the year isn’t looking over his shoulder worried about being fired. “We all share in this,” Stefanski said. “Nobody's happy being where our record is, but I know all of our focus is on this game and finding a way to get a win in this game.” Consultant Mike Vrabel was on the sideline wearing an earpiece in New Orleans prompting speculation he could be Stefanski’s replacement in waiting, but this isn’t the first time Vrabel has been on the field during games. “Vrabel’s is involved in a lot of what we do,” Stefanski said. “He's out there on home games. He was able to come to this one. He's listening in on the conversations with us. He's a great resource for me game day, Monday through Friday, so he will continue to do that.” At 2-8 and the red hot 8-2 win ugly, but still win, Steelers rolling into town, Stefanski is trying not to dwell on the train that has already derailed. “I think where our record is you're obviously disappointed,” Stefanski said. “Players, coaches, we all share in that my focus is really finding a way to get a win this week. Anything else taken away from that? I really can't speak to it.”
Not questioning effort – Although it looked like a few defensive players may have thrown in the towel during the Saints’ 21-point fourth quarter assault, Stefanski did not question their effort Monday. “I think we got out executed a couple times where we just didn't do our job in some moments,” Stefanski said.
Break up leader – Denzel Ward continues to lead the NFL in pass breakups this season and he’s the only player to get one in every game this season. Sunday he came away with his first interception of the year as well as forced and recovered a fumble. “I do honestly feel that I'm playing really good football right now,” Ward said. “And I'm just trying to give my all to this team and do what I can to help get us a win and make plays out there and keep the energy up and keep the plays coming. So I'm enjoying playing the game of football and being out there with my teammates.” Ward suffered rib and ankle injuries against the Saints but plans to play Thursday night. “I feel fine. I feel great,” Ward said. “I'm going to be ready. I'm going to be read come game day.”
Stay the course – Dustin Hopkins’ yips won’t cost him his job, for now. Stefanski responded “no” when asked if they are thin king about bringing in another kicker. Hopkins missed three kicks Sunday wide left – from 51, 32 and 27. The 32-yard try did not count due to a Saints penalty before Hopkins, who is 4 of 8 beyond 50 yards this season, missed from 27 a few minutes later.
All 22 – Nick Chubb played just 22 snaps Sunday where he carried 11 times for 50 yards. With a Thursday night game against the Steelers at home looming, the limited workload for Chubb was by design according to Stefanski.
Surgery for Jones – Stefanski announced after the game and confirmed again Monday offensive tackle Dawand Jones will require surgery to repair the fractured fibula suffered in Sunday’s loss. It remains to be seen if Jedrick Wills Jr., who was inactive due to a knee injury flare up, will be ready this week. “We will work through that this week to see if Jed can make it to Thursday night,” Stefanski said. “He was full, still feeling that injury, so just felt like it was best to get him some more treatment on that over the weekend.”
Injury report – DNP: LT Dawand Jones (broken fibula-out for season); TE Geoff Swaim (concussion), OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee); LIMITED: LG Joel Bitonio (pectoral), WR Elijah Moore (shoulder), TE David Njoku (knee), CB Greg Newsome II (Shoulder), CB Denzel Ward (ribs, ankle); FULL: LB Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps), DT Maurice Hurt (shoulder), WR Jerry Jeudy (knee), QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger)
**The Browns did not practice Monday so participation is an estimate.
