CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – With the offense at the bottom of the pile, Kevin Stefanski doesn’t feel a quarterback change is warranted after six games.
“We're going through it,” Stefanski said. “You're 1-5. You can't hide from that. You don't love that feeling, but all we can do is get one this week. That's all we can do.”
Here’s a few more Brownie Bites from Monday’s Zoom video conferences.
Stand by their man – Deshaun Watson, who has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game this season, will remain the starting quarterback and Stefanski did his best to justify that decision Monday afternoon. “I think Deshaun gives us the best chance to win, continues to give us the best chance to win, and we need to play really good offensive football at his position and really at every position to be successful on Sunday,” Stefanski said. As of Monday morning, the Browns rank 32nd in total offense, yards per play, pass yards per play, sacks, first downs and third down efficiency; 30th in scoring and passing; 28th in rushing and 19th in rushing yards per attempt. Watson shoulders much of that blame, yet there is no accountability for his continued poor play that continues to lose the Browns games and knocked them from the playoff picture by mid-October. “It's just my job to always find ways to be successful as a team,” Stefanski said. “Obviously offense, defense and special teams, and we'll just focus on getting better. I really think this is something where if we keep the focus on our entire offense on getting better at every position, I think that's when you start having offensive success, which is sustaining drives and obviously scoring points.” Stefanski also maintains he is not being forced by ownership to stick with Watson because of his $46 million per year salary and two more years left on that fully guaranteed contract. “We have a good dialogue with myself, Andrew [Berry], ownership, about all things that have to do with this team,” Stefanski said. “They've been nothing but supportive and any decision when it comes to football is my decision.” The Browns are the only team in the last decade to fail to score at least 20 points in any of their first six games.
Chubb on the way – Running back Nick Chubb is expected to return this week. “Nick is a leader,” fellow running back D’Onta Foreman said. “Nick is a guy who comes in and he's been working really hard to get back and working hard to come back and be himself. So I'm excited for him and excited to see what he does when he gets back. We've all been rooting for him.” Chubb is set to make his debut against the Bengals after recovering from multiple surgeries to repair damage to his left knee suffered in Week 2 last season. “I think it'll be a great lift,” linebacker Mohamoud Diabate said. “He calls himself Batman. Just like when Batman came back to Gotham, he's going, Hey, it brings good energy to all the people. So we're excited for him to get back. Hell of a player, one of the best players I've ever had to honor to compete against in practice. And he makes me a better player. Every rep he gets gives me things to get me better as a player. So I love Nick.”
Injury report – Center Nick Harris is headed to IR after suffering a broken fibula. Running back Jerome Ford is “week-to-week” with a hamstring injury. Safety Grant Delpit remains in concussion protocol. Stefanski did not have updates on the rib injuries suffered by cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. and receiver Elijah Moore.
