BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn’t seem inclined to make significant lineup changes anytime soon, at least ones unrelated to injuries.
“I don’t think there is some big philosophical thing there,” Stefanski said Monday. “Week to week, you are trying to put the best 11 out there and then rotational guys. Obviously you have different guys who play different jobs who aren’t the quote-unquote ‘starting 11.’
“The bottom line is you go into every game trying to put the guys on the field who will give you the best chance to win. That is what we are trying to do.”
There have been no shortage of players taking the blame for the team’s struggles during this stretch that has seen them lose four of five, including linebacker Sione Takitaki Monday afternoon.
“Just from my standpoint, I had some bad alignments that led to some big plays,” Takitaki said. “That is what I mean by tightening up. That is what I mean by being 100 percent committed, not looking out but looking at the person in the mirror and doing my job. Going this week, I am going to be 100 percent committed on my job and going in and fixing all of my corrections that I need from the game and getting this thing right.”
Cleveland’s defense surrendered 309 passing yards to Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe and 399 yards in total offense. Although New England only had 98 yards rushing, Rhamondre Stevenson put up 76 yards and scored twice.
New England had nine plays of 15 or more yards in the 38-15 blowout but it appears Stefanski will continue to roll out the same lineup going forward.
“We are obviously trying to play consistent football,” Stefanski said. “As you know, you are going up against some tough attacks, and you are going to try and take away their run game or try and take away their pass game, and they are going to make their plays – I think we all get that. When we play our sound defense and we are limiting big plays, I think you are on your way to playing consistent defense.”
Outsmarted – Stefanski felt Jacoby Brissett throwing downfield gave them a better chance to beat the Patriots Sunday than leaning on the top rushing attack in the league.
“You have to be explosive in the NFL. You have to find ways to make explosive passes and make explosive runs,” Stefanski said. “They can come in a bunch of different areas. They can come in different play types. They can come with throws over the middle of the field throws and throws outside of the numbers. We are constantly searching for those explosives that that present defenses is vulnerable to. Jacoby has shown over the course of his career and over the course of this season he can make those throws to those areas.”
Nick Chubb got 12 carries and Kareem Hunt four. The duo was targeted three times in the pass game. Chubb was on the field for 31 snaps, and Hunt 30 while Brissett ended up throwing the ball 45 times.
“The game, we weren’t having as much success as we have had in the past however many games and then the game gets to 24-6 with five minutes left in the third so it is going to force you to play a little bit differently in terms of trying to play catch up,” Stefanski said. “We go into every game, as you can imagine, wanting to make sure that our guys are touching the ball. We talk about it throughout the game about what their touches are and those type of things. Sometimes the score and the game dictate that you have to play catch up.”
Giving them away – Aside from more defensive miscues, turnovers burned the Browns Sunday and Brissett was responsible for three of the four – two interceptions and fumble – costing the Browns 17 points.
“We can’t turn the ball over. That is obvious,” Stefanski said. “Jacoby knows that. Really as a team, we have to do way better both taking care of the ball and getting the ball. More than anything, I think Jacoby understands his role and his job is to operate in this offense, but ultimately, we can’t turn it over.
Again, he understands that.”
New England added another touchdown right after Chester Rogers muffed a punt return in the fourth quarter. That’s 24 points allowed off turnovers.
Jones closer – Linebacker Deion Jones, acquired from the Falcons a week ago and designated to return from injured reserve last Wednesday could be activated this week and make his Browns debut.
“It is definitely more likely,” Stefanski said. “We want to continue to see how he comes along from a physical and mental standpoint.”
Injury report – Right guard Wyatt Teller suffered a calf strain, and the team was awaiting the results of an MRI as of Monday afternoon. Right tackle Jack Conklin also got banged up after getting rolled up on. “It is nothing,” Conklin said. “Just a little ankle sprain. I will be fine.” Conklin doesn’t expect to miss any time.
Up next – Players off Tuesday, practice Wednesday.
