BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – At 1-2, it’s no surprise the Browns offense ranks near the bottom in the NFL. It was a topic as Cleveland began to prepare for their trip to Las Vegas.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Wednesday.
Blame game – When the Browns fired Alex Van Pelt and hired Ken Dorsey, it was with the idea that Dorsey could retool the offense to get the best, and most, out of Deshaun Watson. Three weeks into the season and the offense is a train wreck. Everyone is looking for someone to blame, especially Dorsey. “I don't think that's fair,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think we need to play better. I need to coach better, and we will.” Cleveland ranks 25th in points scored per game (16.67), 31st in yards (248.0), 24th in rushing (95.7), and 30th in passing (152.3). “I think for us as an offense, we need to put it all together,” Stefanski said. “I wouldn't single any one player out. We haven't been good enough just yet, but we're working very hard. I believe in the people we have. I believe in what we're doing. It's just a matter of working real hard this week and then putting, taking that practice field of the game field on Sunday.” Watson is completing 57.8% of his passes for 551 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He has yet to throw for over200 yards in any of the three games. “’To much is given, much is required’ and I’ve always lived by that on and off the field,” Watson said. “So, when everything is going right, then you get the praise and when everything is going bad, you get the blame. So, it’s part of the NFL, it’s part of this position. So, to me, it doesn’t bother me. We just got to find ways to continue to get better each and every week.”
Domino effect – Myles Garrett indicated after Sunday’s loss that the pain in his feet was causing other problems. Wednesday we found out his thigh and Achilles are being affected. So why not shut him down for a week or two? “Obviously you would be smart if there's ever a decision to be made with every player,” Stefanski said. “I feel like Myles is determined to continue to play. He's working through injuries like a lot of guys, and he's played through injury in his past.” Garrett rested Wednesday.
Tackle setbacks – Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills both suffered setbacks in their return to the field. Conklin’s came in the form of a hamstring injury last Friday while Wills got banged up again during Sunday’s loss to the Giants. Stefanski doesn’t believe Wills and Conklin came back too fast. “I would not characterize it that way,” Stefanski said. On top of that Dawand Jones is also dealing with a knee problem and James Hudson III a shoulder injury. “It affected me a little bit,” Jones said. “I felt definitely a little step slower and it definitely sucks but it's part of the game. You just got to keep dealing with it and just keep getting better with the injury.” Jones and Hudson practiced Wednesday. “It is unheard of. I mean it is crazy,” Wills said. “It's difficult. I mean, we're all working to get back for we can and do what we can for the team, but it's tough. I mean, we have people that have to fill in and step up and naming the game.” Protection has been a problem with Watson being hit 42 times and sacked 16 in just three games. “I’m excited about the opportunity for Zak (Zinter) and all the guys that are going to be in that rotation,” Watson said. “Whoever is out there is going to give everything they got, and it’s another opportunity for us to be able to go out there and perform and try to execute at the highest ability and try to get a W.”
Roster moves – The Browns signed offensive tackle Germain Ifedi to the active roster from the practice squad and placed offensive guard Wyatt Teller (knee) on injured reserve. The team also signed offensive tackles Sebastian Gutierrez and Ricky Lee III as well as defensive end Elerson Smith to the practice squad and released linebacker Luiji Vilain from the practice squad.
Quote of the day – “I’m not a running quarterback, in a sense,” Watson said. “I can make things happen, but I’m not trying to run. I’m not a running back. It’s not my specialty. They signed me to throw the ball, make decisions, and be a quarterback, not a runner.”
Injury report – DNP: OT Jack Conklin (hamstring), RB Jerome Ford (knee), DE Myles Garrett (foot, Achilles, thigh), LB Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbow), TE David Njoku (ankle), RB Pierre Strong (hamstring), T Jedrick Willis (knee); LIMITED: LG Joel Bitonio (knee), OL Javion Cohen (back), OT James Hudson (shoulder), RT Dawand Jones (knee), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (thigh), DE Alex Wright (triceps); FULL: WR Jerry Jeudy (knee), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (hand), CB Denzel Ward (shoulder)