Kevin Stefanski talks with reporters after Browns practice on November 24, 2023.
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00:10 Okay, just got off the practice field, had some good work out there.
00:17 It was beautiful weather.
00:18 It's gonna be carbon copy of what we just had, about 40 degrees and sunny.
00:22 So we're excited about getting out there, playing a big game versus an AFC opponent.
00:27 Winners are four straight, huge challenge for our offense, our defense,
00:32 our special teams, good players, really good coaches.
00:35 So we're excited about that opportunity.
00:37 Have a good day tomorrow of meetings and we'll get on the airplane.
00:40 But with that, I'll take any questions.
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00:44 >> Corner and secondary.
00:45 >> Yeah, so next man up, guys gotta step up.
00:49 That's the name of this game.
00:51 Don't have Denzel this week, but feel confident the guys we do have.
00:55 >> Is a one week thing with him?
00:56 >> We'll see, we're rolling him out for this game, but we'll see.
00:59 >> Do you know if he was hurt on that big hit?
01:02 >> I don't know the specific play, I don't.
01:04 >> I mean, I know he's played really well, but
01:06 it seems like he's been really aggressive.
01:08 Is there any thought of asking him to kind of hone back that aggression when
01:11 something like that happens?
01:13 >> Yeah, it's football, it's a contact sport.
01:16 As a defensive player, you're gonna have to come up and tackle, and
01:20 I think all our guys understand that.
01:22 >> How has he worked since he's worked back from this injury?
01:26 >> Yeah, good, he's making good progress.
01:28 I thought he moved around well.
01:29 >> How about Anthony Walker, how do you get him back on a Friday here?
01:35 >> Yeah, as you know, it's important that you treat every injury day to day.
01:39 And he got better and better as the week went on, so
01:42 we'll continue to monitor him over the next 48 hours.
01:45 >> Is Joe ready to be your number two quarterback for this game?
01:48 >> I'm not gonna get into specifics on roster type things.
01:52 >> Is something that you guys will just elevate him tomorrow,
01:54 that's gonna be the case?
01:56 >> I mean, potentially could do that, I feel really confident with the guys we have.
01:59 >> How's he picking up?
02:04 >> Yeah, you bring in PJ late, you bring in Joe late, these guys do a really nice
02:09 job of diving into the playbook, understanding their role and everything.
02:13 They've done a nice job.
02:14 >> Mark, he's still in concussion protocol, but how have you seen him?
02:19 How is he doing in this process, I guess?
02:21 >> Yeah, he's still in that protocol, but he's doing everything in his power.
02:27 With those injuries, as you know, you follow the protocol to a T and
02:32 you make sure that when they're ready, they're back out there.
02:33 >> Duane being full participant practice and everything,
02:39 how much have you seen him get it back up to speed?
02:41 How good is that?
02:42 I know they have two really quality head rushers out there.
02:46 >> Yeah, it's important, obviously, to get him back out there,
02:50 played I don't know what, 30 plays in the last game.
02:53 So you feel good that he played, although not the entire game, but played and
02:58 played well, and you feel like he can, after a good week of practice,
03:00 can go out there and be out there for all the game.
03:04 >> Joel said that Pittsburgh went big on defense in the second half.
03:07 Is that something you expect to see more of?
03:10 And how do you counter that if they're doing that to stop you right now?
03:13 >> Yeah, we've seen, you name a defense, we've seen it over the years.
03:17 Some teams get big, some teams get big with their front.
03:20 Sometimes you'll get different safeties down.
03:23 You could get extra safeties in base defense,
03:26 you get extra corners in base defense.
03:28 So we always have to talk through different looks that you're getting.
03:32 You have a plan going into a game like you do, and
03:35 then you have to be ready to adjust based on what they're doing.
03:37 >> Kevin, I may say next man up for the corners, obviously,
03:39 Mike Ford stepped in a lot in that Ravens game when Denzel went out.
03:42 So just what has he meant to this year in terms of helping establish and
03:47 identity and his production on special teams too and all that?
03:50 >> Yeah, Mike's done a really nice job.
03:52 You mentioned special teams, Ashley, just he's made some big plays for
03:55 us coming down the field on that punt unit, playing the field position games at
03:59 times, but really good athlete, big, good size, tackles well.
04:05 And then is a great teammate, just brings the energy,
04:07 brings the juice anytime he's out there.
04:09 >> You mentioned the turnover margin difference,
04:11 especially over the last three or four games.
04:15 How have you addressed that during this week in practice too?
04:19 Because I know that's been an issue for you guys on offense.
04:22 >> With the turnover margin, I mean, you talk about it every week.
04:25 It's not unique to this game or any game.
04:28 What is unique, them having 13 takeaways in the last five games,
04:31 that's outstanding by them.
04:33 And it's in a variety of ways, it's interceptions, it's fumbles,
04:36 it's sack fumbles, it's first play the Buffalo game,
04:40 ripping the ball out of the running backs hands.
04:42 So they've done a great job with getting that ball for
04:46 our offense becomes technique.
04:47 You have to be great in your technique, whether you're the quarterback in
04:51 the pocket, whether you're a receiver, a tight end, a running back touching it.
04:54 And then defensively, any opportunity you can get with the ball in the air or
04:59 via a fumble, you have to go get it, special teams as well.
05:02 Because this team has done a great job of getting the football.
05:05 >> Denzel's rating with quarterbacks and
05:10 coverage for him is something somewhere in the 20s, I think like that.
05:12 Something like that, can you just address how well he's been playing for you guys?
05:16 >> Yeah, I think everybody sees Denzel's playing at a high level.
05:19 Good versus the run, good versus the pass.
05:21 He's a guy that I've obviously seen play a lot of football and
05:25 made big plays for us.
05:27 Won't have him this one, but he and
05:30 I both have a lot of faith in the guys that will be out there.
05:34 >> Kevin, one quick one off the field.
05:35 My Cause My Cleats were on display for us, including your shoots for
05:40 Boys Hope, Girls Hope, why is that an important organization for you?
05:44 >> Well, I think there's so many important organizations around Northeast Ohio and
05:49 that group's done an amazing job throughout this community.
05:52 It's a place that I've gotten to visit a few times with my wife and
05:56 we've been over there and seen firsthand what they do in that community.
05:59 So My Cause My Cleats is a unbelievable thing that the NFL does to showcase
06:05 so many great people, so many great organizations out there that are making
06:09 a real impact around our community.
06:11 So I'm just blessed to be a part of that as well.
06:14 >> Good.
06:16 >> Okay, thanks guys.
06:17 >> Good.
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