CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Everyone in the NFL has had to navigate what has been a difficult year.
The Browns might be one of the most affected with first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski steering the ship through choppy waters but he's proceeded as if it's been smooth sailing.
It would be understandable if Stefanski scaled back his offense because of the many limitations, but that is not the case, so he claims.
“I would not say we have simplified it,” Stefanski said. “There are some things in the spring that you try out that are maybe new to what you have done and you are putting in the laboratory, so to speak, I would say we did not do that this year, but I would not go as far as to say we simplified things.”
Unfortunately, the obstacles Stefanski and the Browns have faced have continued into camp.
Stefanski has had to use his first 12 practices of his first training camp installing his systems on offense and defense.
Between a rash of injuries and having three practices affected within the last week – Sunday due to COVID-19 testing false positives, Thursday’s cut short for social justice meetings and Friday’s moved inside to a 50-yard field because of mother nature – life has not gotten easier on Stefanski or the Browns.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield is learning his third different offense in as many years since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2018 and it hasn’t been smooth.
It is possible the Browns could lean heavily on running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to carry them early in the season – literally. Both backs have looked explosive during team periods.
“I really do not know. I have heard the same sentiment outside of this building. We will see,” Stefanski said. “As we have gotten through the installation schedule, part of it is finding out what our guys do well. That is why we have tried to maximize as many of these reps as we can, and then within our scheme, we can pivot to things that make sense based on players’ abilities.”
One area Mayfield has thrived during team 11-on-11 work during camp is off play action and out of the pocket.
It’s a staple of Stefanski’s system too and the coach has liked what he’s seen from his starting quarterback.
“I think we will be multiple in our approach in what we do,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, we want to do what the quarterback does well so there are schematic things that that we will do – I am not going to list them all. But I think he is on track. He is doing a nice job. He had a nice day in the indoor. Just like the entire offense, we just have to keep at it.”
