BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Kevin Stefanski has preached accountability since his arrival in January 2020 and Monday afternoon he held himself accountable.
Stefanski’s play calling late in Sunday’s 47-42 loss to the Chargers has taken center stage after the Browns were unable to finish off the Chargers on the road.
The biggest head scratcher came on a third-and-9 from their own 15 with the Browns clinging to a 1-point lead in which Stefanski called for a run for Kareem Hunt. Hunt, who finished with 61 rushing yards and two touchdowns, gained just three yards.
“In hindsight, I definitely wish I did something different,” Stefanski said. “This is where I have to put our guys in positions to succeed, and I did not do that there, and I am sick about it.”
The Browns punted and Justin Herbert led the Chargers down the field to take the lead for good with 91 seconds remaining.
After the game Stefanski said of the play call, “I didn’t feel like I wanted to give a chance for something bad to happen” raising questions about his belief in quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is playing with a torn left labrum and without his starting two offensive tackles up front.
“I do not think it sends that message,” Stefanski said of the perception he might not believe in Mayfield to make a play in that situation. “I talked to the offense about those calls.
“I would just tell you I have to do a better job bottom line.”
On the final series, which started at their own 25 trailing 47-42, Mayfield completed passes of 6, 3, 2 and 10 yards before killing the clock with 26 seconds remaining to set up three Hail Mary’s from their own 46.
“We had a four verticals called that we checked it down to Kareem.
Then it was a third-and-one where were aggressive to Kareem in the flat to try and get the first [down]. That is the truth of it,” Stefanski said. “The first goal of that drive was to make sure that we are in location to throw a Hail Mary. Obviously, we would love to get as close as possible to do that.”
At the end of the first half, after creating a turnover that ultimately resulted in a 31-yard field goal to give them a 20-13 lead at halftime, Stefanski failed to preserve time by calling a timeout.
“It felt like we could get quickly into a call we liked on that second down and still have an opportunity to call our timeout and still have time,” Stefanski said. “It really took too long. Again, that is on me.”
Communication breakdown – Two blown coverages on Chargers receiver Mike Williams cost the Browns Sunday, and ultimately were the difference on the scoreboard.
Both of them saw Williams left wide open for touchdowns of 71 and 42 yards and the Browns secondary left looking at each other trying to figure out what went wrong and who was to blame.
“Obviously when guys get that open, the answer is it always is a miscommunication,” Stefanski said. “That is what happened. We had poor communication out there a couple of times. We have to get lined up, get the calls and execute the defense. You never know when it is going to hurt you, and it was unfortunate that we had some miscommunication back there. We have to work real hard to make sure it does not happen again.”
Clowney scratched – Although Jadeveon Clowney did not practice due to an elbow injury last week, that is not what forced him to be inactive.
“He had the elbow injury throughout the week, and then through pregame, his knee got sore,” Stefanski said. “That is really what held him out of the game.”
Hubbard done for the year – Backup offensive tackle Chris Hubbard announced on Instagram he will undergo season ending surgery to repair a triceps injury.
Hubbard suffered the injury September 12 at Kansas City after replacing Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle.
“It is a big loss,” Stefanski said. “He is a guy who played for us last season, played and gave us some good reps at tackle and at guard. You know how I feel about him as a person. We are going to miss having him in the lineup both as a player and just as he is rehabbing, going to make sure that he is as close to the team so we can make sure that his presence is around, particularly some of the young guys on the offensive line.”
Landry progressing – Stefanski couldn’t say whether receiver Jarvis Landry, who is eligible if healthy, will come off injured reserve this week.
Landry was scheduled to run on Monday according to Stefanski.
“We will see how that goes,” Stefanski said.
Chubb nominated – Nick Chubb’s 161 rushing yards and a touchdown performance in the loss to the Chargers earned him a nomination for the Fed Ex ground Player of the Week award.
It’s the second time this season Chubb has been nominated for the award.
Injury report – Stefanski indicated he was awaiting MRI results on several players Monday and, “I do not really have a ton of updates for you guys on the injury front.”
There will be multiple players to watch this week: LT Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle), DE Jadeveon Clowney (elbow/knee), CB Denzel Ward (neck), CB Greedy Williams (shoulder), CB Greg Newsome II (calf), RT Jack Conklin (knee), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (throat contusion) and DB M.J. Stewart Jr.
(hamstring)
Up next – Players off Tuesday, practice Wednesday.