Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski talks at the podium on Friday December 15, 2023.
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00:00 Okay, we had a good week of preparation and we need one because this is a great challenge for us
00:04 Playing this football team three and one in their last four
00:06 I think they're playing really well ton of respect for coach Iberflues and his staff a bunch of good players
00:11 So we have to be at our best on Sunday and we're looking forward to get down there
00:16 Looking forward to being in front of our fans
00:18 They've made a huge huge huge difference in these ball games and I expect that this week as well
00:23 And with that I'll take any questions
00:25 With both of your starting safeties out for this game just how you know, what's the outlook there?
00:30 Yeah, there's some guys that we trust back there Mary Kay that have given us good reps
00:36 There's some you know, we have different options and combinations that we can work through
00:40 But bottom line is that's why these guys work so hard throughout training camp throughout the season
00:46 To stay ready because you never know when your numbers can be called
00:52 We are yeah, no final confirmation just yet
00:55 Yeah, I think he continues to progress every single day I think he's getting better
01:04 We'll use the next 48 hours to see whether he can make it
01:07 if me was added as a questionable what
01:11 Would something come up? Yeah, something came up tweak something, but we'll see how he does over the next again. We'll see how it goes
01:20 And then how about Nick? How did he fill in for you at center now? He's obviously gonna start this game. What do you feel about?
01:26 Yeah, you know we talked about Nick this week. He's a guy that we trust he's bit we won with Nick
01:31 We know what what it's like with him in there. He plays at the high level
01:34 Plays really hard put a smart player
01:38 so
01:40 We have a lot of trust in his teammates have a lot of trust in him as you know
01:44 You're right in the center of it all and he does a great job leading that because there's so much communication that takes place there
01:50 So you really don't miss a beat when it comes to communication?
01:54 Practice that's hard to develop players
01:57 That aren't getting the the game reps in that a lot of players as we spoke about just how prepared
02:04 These guys are as they step in just from your perspective. Why?
02:09 Have some of these
02:11 You know back-end players been so adept at stepping in these roles
02:17 Yeah, I think that's the NFL making sure the backups especially the young guys are aware that you're in that
02:25 Game in a flash of an eye sometimes and sometimes you get a heads up
02:31 During the week that you might have a chance sometimes. It's the second play of the game and you're in there
02:36 So really the messaging is always to stay ready because you just don't know
02:40 When your opportunity is going to come and then I think the guys work very hard with their coaches
02:45 I think they work hard in the meeting room work hard out there on the field work extra
02:49 Because there's there's no secret or there's no special way just to get it. It's it's gonna take time. It's gonna take
02:55 Individual drills and I think the guys understand that
03:04 I think you can you're always cognizant of what all of your players can handle not not just the quarterback
03:09 But I think to your point Scott
03:11 We're learning more about him. He's learning about us and those type of conversations
03:15 Happen each week about things that he's done in his past and he's comfortable with and that are close to what we've done
03:21 It's hard to totally revamp with a player this late, but I think you're constantly having that communication throughout the week
03:29 Coach Schwartz was rather effusive in his praise for miles yesterday and how he played in his last couple of
03:35 Series last week. Do you think he just got to the point where you know?
03:39 It just got pissed off and it took him to another level. I mean he was unbelievable in that game
03:43 He's been unbelievable all season. He's playing at an extremely high level
03:47 You know, we talked about him earlier in the week. I don't know if anybody understands
03:52 The what he does with the amount of attention he gets is truly remarkable
03:59 And you know, maybe we or maybe you get used to it. I don't I appreciate how he does that
04:06 Particularly just watch the tight ends chipping him then the line sliding to him
04:10 Then the running backs chipping him and he still came through for us in a huge moment when we need him
04:15 That's kind of been the story of the season
04:17 The chips the last couple weeks have almost turned into like the tight end staying in our patterns. Is that new or
04:23 It's not new but but again, that's
04:27 When you're a great football player
04:29 You're gonna get the attention. What's again? I think
04:32 Unbelievable is how he still makes plays throughout that and I think you know his effort plays
04:37 Speak to who he is what he means this team and our team feeds off of that
04:43 Turnover the a turnover Chicago sports blasting being seven of those at the interceptions when you
04:50 You know evaluated Chicago Chicago on film there
04:55 Do you find that's them making plays or them taking advantage of mistakes? They're taking the ball away. I mean, they're
05:02 11 in the last three, I think it's
05:06 Nine interceptions in the last
05:09 Three, I think they intercepted Minnesota four times Detroit five times in their last two games. It's tip balls
05:16 It's making plays on the ball. It's zone defenders being visual on the quarterback
05:21 They have great ball skills throughout their defense. So it's definitely a part of certainly their success recently
05:28 It's also a part of their scheme. They're playing a lot of visual zones and then doing a very good job
05:32 So it's really important that your entire offense is is keyed in it. It's not just a quarterback
05:38 It's everybody from running the routes at the proper depth to get having great protection
05:43 To the offensive line when it's time to get the defensive lines hands down, you know
05:48 That's as important as anything were you fine with miles kind of venting after the game about you know getting held
05:55 Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's I've said it before we're not the thought police, you know, our guys can can voice their opinions
06:02 Again talked about it a little bit earlier Mary Kay, but he gets a ton of attention
06:09 I I remind the officials of it every game
06:11 Just so they're they're aware that teams are going to be doing everything in their power to slow down 95
06:17 That's what they're talking about in their building. So when it's when it's when he's being clearly restricted. We expect to be called
06:23 Yeah, big challenge great size great catch radius a
06:34 Thread in that red zone as you know because he can go up and get the football
06:38 They utilize them really well, and I think he's got the trust of the quarterback
06:46 Over the last three or four we can you come back with the thumb injury because it seems like that offense is
06:53 It may be running operating a little better
06:57 He's doing a nice job. I don't know if it's related to the time that he was out with the injury
07:02 But he's doing a nice job. He's a huge threat with the ball
07:05 I think he understands he's trying to take care of himself
07:07 Maybe a little more and not take those big hits, but he's big he's fast. He's strong
07:13 Everything runs through him. He's extremely dangerous. He has our attention
07:18 We've worked real hard this week to understand the ways in which he can beat you see
07:22 Comparable to Lamar. I mean can you is there a cop there? Yes, you know
07:28 It's hard to compare guys just in general. You know you don't want to do that
07:32 I would just tell you Justin Fields is he's he's got great strength play strength. He's fast
07:37 He can throw the ball to all areas of the field
07:40 They utilize them really well whether it's on schedule in the quarterback driven run game, or it's off schedule
07:45 He can make plays so again. He's a huge challenge
07:48 Getting that tech injury and playing through that and instilled
07:53 What does that say about him and does that speak to how this team has played this year?
07:57 Yeah, I mean I can't say enough good things about oboe just what he's provided on the field one thing
08:03 But what he's provided off the field is a whole nother thing and game day
08:07 He's he's a unbelievable amount of energy and positive
08:10 Juice that he brings to the sideline a guy that puts his teammates first
08:16 So his impact while it's huge on the field. It's also huge off the field
08:21 Yeah, Jordan tweaks his
08:29 Leg yesterday so similar with a lot of these guys just want to see how he does over the next 48 hours
08:35 You're known for being
08:37 This year I mean it seems like you got a frustration with all these injuries
08:42 How do you kind of stay of course when you see that you?
08:45 Doesn't make it that much harder. No. It's matter of fact as part of our league
08:50 We've talked about it. We don't like injuries nobody likes them
08:54 I feel very bad for our guys that we lose especially guys that you lose for the season you feel bad for them on a personal
09:00 Level but we all have a job to do and that's how we treat
09:04 your
09:06 Message
09:10 saying this that you give sort of coming through because we got guys in the locker room talking about just how
09:15 Tremendous of a job you and your staff has done just keeping everybody sort of focused with all that kind of going on
09:20 Yeah, I think we have pros on our team
09:22 I think we got great leadership on our team our coaches understand the challenges week in and week out
09:27 But again, we have a job to do we have a job to do this Sunday regardless
09:33 Thanks, guys.
09:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]