CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Turn out the lights, the party is over.
At 2-7, any hope that this season is remotely salvageable went up in smoke during Sunday’s 27-10 can kicking courtesy of the Chargers.
“Everybody's frustrated,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I know I'm frustrated. Our players are frustrated. I'm sure our fans are frustrated right there with us when you have the record. We have, but we're focused on getting better. We're focused on using this week to find a way to get better and then go on the road and get a win next week. That's really where our focus is.”
Here’s a few more Monday post Week 9 Brownie Bites.
Stay the course – Stefanski’s self-scout during the bye week won’t lead to big changes. “We'll look at everything in terms of what we can do better, but no major changes expected,” Stefanski said. The internal evaluation will focus on figuring out how to solve their problems, of which are many. “We need to play better on offense, on defense, on special teams, and this gives you the ability to zoom out for a minute and see what those maybe big adjustments are, small adjustments are that can help you do a better job on in all three of those areas,” Stefanski said. “So it's something that, of course, you do a self-scout every week. I think when you get to this point of your season, you can zoom out and spend a little bit more time there.” Stefanski still believes they can get everything that continues to go wrong on offense fixed, despite all the evidence to the contrary through nine games. “It's something that we believe we can get it fixed,” Stefanski said. “We believe we have the players, we believe we have the scheme, all those things to get this thing fixed and play better. And there's been certainly glimpses of that, but not enough with how we're playing on that side of the ball.”
Stick with Dawand – Stefanski plans to stick with Dawand Jones at left tackle over Jedrick Wills Jr. Wills entered Sunday’s game when Jones had his shoulder examined but was replaced when jones was cleared to return. “I do plan on keeping him there,” Stefanski said. “He's a young player that's going to continue to get better. It's not perfect. There's things he can get better at, but I do believe it's leaving him there and letting him develop there is the best thing.” This appears to be the beginning of the end for Wills, taken 10th overall in the 2020 draft, in Cleveland. “I'm not trying to say anything about him,” Stefanski said. “I'm just trying to put Dawand out there and let him get better. Jed's still a player that we believe in, and right now he's got to be ready to go.”
Going down with the ship – Veteran safety Rodney McLeod isn’t looking for a lifeboat Tuesday at 4. “I'm riding with this team,” McLeod said. “I'm in the boat. I'm in the boat, man, and I'm not really looking to escape. I'm looking to make sure this thing stays afloat and that we get to shore safely. And so I'm riding with my guys.”
