BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns and Steelers are headed in opposite directions as the two team prepare to meet Thursday night on the lake.
Here’s a few Brownie Bites from Tuesday.
Tuning out – With the Browns floundering at 2-8, it would be understandable if Kevin Stefanski’s seat started to heat up but the Browns head coach grew up listening to WIP in Philadelphia, so he knows it just comes with the territory. “I think probably because I grew up listening to that, I'm smart enough to not worry about outside noise,” Stefanski said. “I get that's part of this gig, that's life in the big city. My sole focus is getting this team ready to get a win on Thursday night. That's it.” Left guard Joel Bitonio has seen it all in Cleveland, and isn’t interested in talk of another coaching change. “I don't hear much. I’m not on Twitter or Instagram or listen to the radio,” Bitonio said. “So coach Stefanski, two time coach of the year, I don't think there's much conversation, but that's just my opinion. We're worried about the Pittsburgh Steelers this week and I don't really think we got to even speculate on that right now.”
Same ol Steelers – Pittsburgh has won five straight and sit atop the AFC North at 8-2 after beating the ravens on Sunday 18-16. “It starts with that head coach,” quarterback Jameis Winston said. “I got so much respect for him and the man that he is and that defense is, they're bend but don't break defense and they're disciplined. They're a sound defense. They don't make mistakes. They're really good.” Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers have never had a losing season and they are on their way to their 12th playoff appearance since Tomlin was hired in January 2007. “They're consistent,” Bitonio said. “They've obviously had three coaches for the last however many years it is. They have ran the same defense for 40 years or something like that. So they just draft the same guys, same body types and they build around guys like Cam and TJ and they have a standard. Tomlin has the standard, is a standard and that's what they live up to there. So it's impressive. Obviously they're a rival and obviously we don't like 'em, but they do a good job over there and I think it's consistency and just having that coach and organization in place for so long.”
Sore loser – Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was less than pleased with Myles Garrett winning Defensive Player of the Year last season and he let it be known on social media. “I've never complained about the trophy not being in my house, and vice versa he shouldn't be feeling two ways about it going to me,” Garrett said. “So just going to play the game. I don't play against T.J. and T.J. doesn't play against me, but we'll have a plan to go out and do what we're supposed to win the game and dominate on defense.” Since 2017 Watt has 104 sacks compared to Garrett’s 95.5 and Watt has 7.5 sacks this season while Garrett has 7.0. “He’s playing some great ball,” Garrett said. “Two of the very best in the same division, play each other twice a year and fans hate each other. That kind of stuff gets you excited and I know we both feel it and give a little bit juice up for the matchup.”
Jones to IR – As expected, offensive tackle Dawand Jones was placed on injured reserve Tuesday morning. “I know he's going to be resilient,” Winston said. “He's going to stay on top of his game. You get to see the gradual process of him trending into being a premier left tackle. But think this is the epitome of next man up football. Taking Jones’ roster spot is Geron Christian, signed from the Rams practice squad. Christian started nine games last season for the Browns but will not be available this week. Germain Ifedi is expected to start Thursday night.
Candid camera – An NFL Films crew was in Berea to film availability and practice for Thursday night football. They’ll be back in full force next week to begin filming for the upcoming Hard Knocks series to air on HBO and MAX featuring the AFC North.
Injury report – DNP: DE Myles Garrett (Hip), TE Geoff Swaim (concussion); LIMITED: OT Jedrick Wills Jr. (knee), LG Joel Bitonio (pectoral), WR Elijah Moore (shoulder), TE David Njoku (knee), CB Greg Newsome II (Shoulder), CB Denzel Ward (ribs, ankle); FULL: LB Jordan Hicks (elbow, triceps), DT Maurice Hurt (shoulder), WR Jerry Jeudy (knee), QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (finger)
