CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The NFL Combine isn’t just about the gathering of a who’s who – agents, prospects, coaches, GMs and executives – but a chance to get an early read on the offseason to come for teams, including the Browns.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski held court on Wednesday and here’s a look at key topics he touched on with reporters who traveled to Indianapolis.
1. Stefanski replaced two of his coordinators – Joe Woods on defense and Mike Priefer on special teams – this offseason and also had to adjust multiple other staff positions as a result of departures this offseason. “We had continuity there for a bunch of years, and that can be good, and I think sometimes change can be good,” Stefanski said. “I think for me and for us, this process of talking to a bunch of coaches and interviewing a lot of coaches, you learn a lot about the candidate; you also learn about different ways of doing things… I think it really pushes you to rethink certain things of what we are doing and make sure that we are trying to do the best thing for the team.”
2. The most recent change came two weeks ago with Priefer being fired and three days later Bubba Ventrone leaving the Colts to replace him. “I think the world of Mike Priefer the person and the coach. He is a really, really good football coach and a really good friend,” Stefanski said. “With Bubba Ventrone, we are excited about what he brings. I played against Bubba back when he was at Villanova, and I was at Penn. We go way back. He is a good coach. Excited to have him. A former player, a player for the Browns.
Obviously, I think that lends to credibility. He knows what Northeast Ohio is about. Excited about Bubba.”
3. New defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has jumped in with both feet to try and repair the Browns defense. “His office is right next door so we spend some early time together in the morning,” Stefanski said. “Jim is sharp. Very pleased with what he is doing. I think he is back in the saddle again in that chair where he is able to put his scheme together. I think he does an unbelievable job with coaches, just listening to him coach the coaches and listening to him talk about his scheme and the things we are going to do.
He is well on his way. He is doing a really nice job.”
4. Outside of coordinator changes, the addition of Bill Musgrave as a senior offensive assistant could be just as significant, especially the run game. “Excited to have coach Musgrave in his role. He is going to help in a bunch of different areas,” Stefanski said. “That is just an example of things that you are always trying to get better at what you do, and obviously Bill has had success with that area. That is one area, the run game, but there is a ton where he can help our staff.”
5. The newsiest item came from Stefanski’s side scrum with reporters where he revealed the Browns will repay the favor to the Eagles, who visited Berea last August, and join them in Philadelphia for joint practices prior to their preseason game.
6. So now two of the Browns four preseason opponents are set – Week 1: The Jets in the Hall of Fame game, Week 2: TBD, Week 3: at Eagles, Week 4: TBD.
7. Shocker – Stefanski will continue to call the offensive plays. “I feel like that is the right thing to do for the team.”
8. Jacoby Brissett likely isn’t going to return to Cleveland next season following his strong showing in 11 starts last year. “I am a huge Jacoby fan, the person, first and foremost,” Stefanski said. “We were with each other just for this past year, but really see the game similarly. We have talked at length about Jacoby. When we were first talking about signing him, I made a lot of phone calls to people that knew him, and it was all very consistent in just about the type of person you were getting. He played good football for us. We will see what the future holds. I do not know what the future holds for Jacoby, but I am a huge fan of his.” That means the backup job is open but it remans to be seen how that will ultimately shake out. “We will see. I think that is the truth,” Stefanski said. “I think there are options there. I think Andrew [Berry] and his crew are working through all of those options, but we don’t have a definitive answer at this time.”
9. Alex Van Pelt will return to his duel role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Stefanski revealed they made an adjustment to move Drew Petzing – now offensive coordinator of the Cardinals – into that role last year to help Petzing. “Alex Van Pelt is one of the best teammates I have ever been around. AVP was in the quarterback room as really the main voice for the first two years,” Stefanski said. “AVP took a step back so that Drew could have that voice in there and did a great job. AVP is ready for whatever I feel like and we feel like is best for the team. He is ready to do that. I think it brings continuity to the position. I am always cognizant of how many voices are talking to the quarterback, and there are different ways to do it.”
