CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Anyone that watched the NFL playoffs can see the Browns offense isn’t in the same stratosphere as the NFL’s best.
The Rams, Bengals, Chiefs, Packers and Buccaneers put up big numbers offensively this past season and were led by elite playmakers at skill positions whereas the Browns suffered from a lack of consistent elite play from quarterback, receiver, or tight end.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn’t believe that what ails his offense is the scheme.
“I think you see the teams and the systems they are running and a lot of similarities to what we are doing,” Stefanski told reporters at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis according to a transcript provided by the team. “There are certain things that each team does to differentiate themselves schematically, but looking at the final four with the Rams, Bengals, and Chiefs – all of us are related, if you will, schematically.”
The Browns, who ranked 27th in passing, 23rd in touchdowns scored, and 20th in overall scoring last season, featured not one 600-yard receiver or anyone to catch at least five touchdown passes.
From Stefanski’s point of view, there were plays to be made that just weren’t for a variety of reasons.
This offseason the focus will be on correcting the little things that held them back.
“For me, the little things become the big things,” Stefanski said. “All of those little things add up. As it relates to the passing game, I do not want to be too simplistic in that answer. I will tell you, we need to get better. There are ways we have identified that we have to get better. Anything in our sport, when I say ‘little thing,’ I do not want you to think I do not think that is not important; it is just that maybe all of those things together can add up.”
Stefanski also isn’t opposed to making minor scheme changes.
“We have to,” Stefanski said. “That is going to be a major focus and has been a major focus of ours as we start this offseason and as we look at the tape of what we are doing – some things we are doing well, and some things we are not doing so well – and then really studying hard some other teams, seeing what they are doing and seeing how it applies to what we do. That is an ongoing process, but it is definitely something that we have paid close attention to.”
