CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Welcome to the second season.
The Browns began preparations for the Texans on Monday but hit the practice field Tuesday afternoon.
Here’s our top Brownie Bites from the locker room as Super Wild Card week has arrived.
One game season – On Monday head coach Kevin Stefanski had quarterback Joe Flacco and a few other veterans speak to the team about the journey they are about to embark upon. “It is cool to hear some different perspectives on what people feel like it takes to win at this time of the year,” Flacco said. Flacco has been there, won that. A former Super Bowl MVP, Flacco has won 10 playoff games and is tied with Tom Brady for the most wins on the road – seven – in NFL history. “You're preparing for one game and that's it,” Flacco said. “You're promised one game here, so I think that's something good to fall back on, and I think you can get comfort in that. One game. Prepare as hard as you can for one week and then when that's all done, we'll pick up and see where we're at.” Flacco, who has been sensational throwing for 1,616 yards with 13 touchdowns in five starts, doesn’t invest much energy into overanalyzing or getting caught up in the hype that comes with the playoffs. He likes to keep things simple. “Everybody puts so much thought into what it takes to win these games and it's doing the simple things the best you can and just playing good fundamental football, and this is the time of the year where that stuff shows up,” Flacco said. “Obviously there's going to be plays made and guys are going to make a name for themselves, something's going to happen over the next five weeks that we're going to remember forever, and those are the things that you kind of see, but it’s just about playing fundamental, physical football and playing a full 60 minutes. And no matter what's going on at the moment, being able to keep the blinders on and keep moving forward.”
No ordinary rookie – The key difference in this trip to Houston to face the Texans is rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, who was unable to play Christmas eve because he was in concussion protocol. “He's been really impressive just from a far in terms of his decision making and the way everything's kind of looked, you can tell he can throw the ball,” Flacco said. “I didn't get a chance—it's not like I follow college football a ton. Ohio State always has somebody, it seems like the last few years, that are getting drafted in the top of the draft in the spring, but it seems like he has a lot of arm talent and the impressive part is the fact that he's been able to make really good decisions all year. So a lot of credit for him for sure.” Stroud is a leading candidate for offensive rookie of the year after helping the Texans finish 10-7 and win the AFC South. He has completed over 63% of his passes for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. “He's awesome,” Stefanski said. “I remember watching him early because we had some crossover tape and getting ready to play Baltimore. I know he played in - that was his first game, and I think even in that game, you saw some plays and some throws where you knew right away that kid was really, really talented. I know the state has seen him play quite a bit, so he's a very talented young man and I think the tape is what we as coaches always kind of go back to. And he's got some really great tape.” Stroud also averages over four yards per carry and has rushed for three touchdowns. “CJ is one of, not just the best rookie quarterback, but he's one of the best quarterbacks in the whole entire NFL,” cornerback Greg Newsome II said. “So he presents a lot of challenges for us, but I think we're up for the challenge.” Cleveland’s defense finished the regular season ranked No 1 in multiple categories, including overall defense, pass defense, third down percentage and the fewest first downs allowed, but Stroud will test them multiple ways with his arm and feet. “Just his ability to run and pass. He has that ability, so I feel like that's really what's going to make the difference for us,” linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah said. “Preparing for him. Just like when you prepare any dual threat quarterback and then he's very young, but he's really good. He's shown the flash on tape. Obviously he's a front runner for offensive rookie of the year and has been watching on tape. He's a really good player. He can throw the ball really well. He can use his legs when he needs to. So it's going to be, we're up for the challenge man. It's going to be a good one for us.”
Numero Uno – Newsome who has made custom eyewear part of his weekly routine, wore a special pair of ‘Wild Card’ glasses during his media availability Tuesday. “What’s better than the Uno Wild card glasses,” Newsome said. Newsome considers himself an elite Uno player, almost as good as he plays corner. “It's debatable,” Newsome said. “That's just like one of those is Michael Jordan the GOAT or LeBron? So I think it's debatable.”
Hopkins likely out – It doesn’t appear that kicker Dustin Hopkins will be ready for Saturday. “I think it is unlikely [he kicks],” Stefanski said. Hopkins suffered a left hamstring injury against the Texans on Christmas eve while trying to cover a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. In hindsight, it wasn’t the smartest move by Hopkins. “I think it's always that fine line where you want to make a play for the team,” Stefanski said. “You want to hustle, but you also don't want to put yourself in harm's way. So those are things we talk about, but you can't, can't deny that our guys have great effort out there.” Riley Patterson will remain the kicker. Patterson has made his only field goal attempt and six of seven PATs.
Third time the charm – Browns vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager Glenn Cook was scheduled to interview with the Washington Commanders for their top football executive job Tuesday. Cook has interviewed for similar posts each of the last two offseasons. Should Cook land a GM job, he would be the second top lieutenant of EVP/GM Andrew Berry’s to leave for a promotion joining Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was hired by the Vikings as their GM in 2022.
Quote of the day – “I'm not one that's going to lessen the game and say, oh, it's just a regular game,” Owusu-Koramoa said. “[The] City of Cleveland has been waiting for this game, right? The organization has been waiting for this game. It's not just another game. I think there is a bit of intensification in reference to the speed of the game, in reference to guys pulling something out of themselves that they haven't seen in the regular season. I think it's more to it.”
Injury report – DNP: WR Amari Cooper (rest/heel), K Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring), RB Kareem Hunt (groin), CB Greg Newsome (knee), RB Pierre Strong (back), WR Cedric Tillman (concussion), S Juan Thornhill (calf), LG Joel Bitonio (rest/knee), TE David Njoku (rest), DE Myles Garrett (personal/shoulder/hamstring); LIMITED: Mike Ford Jr. (calf), WR Marquise Goodwin (knee), Jordan Kunaszyk (calf), Ogbo Okoronkwo (pectoral/groin), C Ethan Pocic (shoulder/stinger); FULL: S D’Anthony Bell (back), P Corey Bojorquez (left quadriceps), QB Joe Flacco (calf), DT Shelby harris (shin), Duron Harmon (ankle), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder)
