Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski talks with reporters after the Browns win at home against the Steelers.
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00:00 Okay, great team win to come away with that one.
00:03 That was pretty special, special for the week we've had.
00:06 I thought the guys stuck together, they fought for each other.
00:10 It wasn't pretty, doesn't have to be, but it was physical, which we knew it would be.
00:15 And then to come out of here with a W in front of our fans who were outstanding for
00:20 60 minutes, it was a really positive one for us.
00:25 It only counts as one, so we got another big one coming up next week, but
00:29 really proud of the guys for fighting like crazy without taking any pushes.
00:32 >> Kevin, what can you say about Dorey in that final drive going 4 for 4?
00:36 >> Yeah, that was, as you know, Jake, those are big moments where you're looking for
00:41 your guy to come through, he came through, made some big plays throughout that drive.
00:45 Made big plays throughout the game.
00:46 I know it wasn't perfect at all times, but he came through it mattered.
00:50 >> What do you think, and what did you think as conclusion,
00:53 though, from the start of the game to the end of the game?
00:55 >> Yeah, I thought throughout the entire day, and as you guys know,
00:58 Dorey doesn't lack the confidence, and I say that that's just who he is.
01:01 He's a confident kid, he trusts in his ability.
01:04 So from the first step to the last step, he was ready to roll.
01:07 >> What about the fact that he had to overcome what looked like, I don't know,
01:10 maybe eight drops or something like that?
01:11 >> Yeah. >> And he just kept going back to his
01:13 guys and showing faith in them?
01:14 >> Yeah, that's life.
01:16 We know that.
01:17 We know that, again, I say it all the time, we're not gonna be perfect,
01:19 I'm not gonna be perfect.
01:21 But we just will continue to fight.
01:23 >> Kevin, what was it like calling plays for him at the end when you know one more
01:27 turnover could cost the game?
01:29 >> Yeah, you can't really think like that, Tony.
01:32 I mean, the stuff we were doing, I thought protection was really,
01:35 really good, trying to take care of their head rushers were outstanding.
01:39 He was seeing it clearly,
01:40 went back to some concepts that he has a ton of turns on, so felt good about it.
01:44 >> Seemed like the defense just set the tone with that first play,
01:47 Miles just demolished him.
01:49 >> Yeah, they did set the tone.
01:51 Again, just relentless in our pass rush, relentless getting to the runner.
01:56 Again, there's things that we can correct, we know that, and
01:59 we will, but a relentless group.
02:02 >> Kevin, can you go through your challenge day,
02:04 starting with the first one where it looked like you wanted to, but
02:07 they didn't give it to you?
02:09 >> Say it again. >> On the safety?
02:10 >> Yeah. >> Right, did you try to challenge that?
02:12 >> We did, those are hard when you're talking about forward momentum and
02:19 where they call them down, so I wanted the safety, but
02:22 just felt best not doing it there.
02:24 >> But you drew it at some point, didn't you?
02:26 >> Did you drop?
02:27 No, honestly. >> Did you drop it?
02:28 >> Yeah, well, the conversation with them was, is this challengeable?
02:31 What is reviewable?
02:33 Eventually they told me we could, but it's a big play, you can challenge it, but
02:36 I was waiting for information from the officials.
02:38 >> Kevin, how about the way your defense responded after they scored that
02:43 long touchdown run, didn't seem like it got you guys down though.
02:46 >> Yeah, I mean, they're gonna make plays, we understand that.
02:50 They made a nice play there, came in, great individual effort,
02:52 you gotta get them down on the ground, but the other team's gonna make plays.
02:55 >> On the forward touchdown, you waited a long time to challenge it.
02:58 >> Yeah. >> You tossed it pretty far.
03:00 >> Well, I was waiting for it to get good looks at it upstairs, and
03:04 then I could have run down there and thrown it, but I just wanted to make sure
03:10 the thing was on the ground before the next play was run, but yeah,
03:14 good communication overall by the guys.
03:16 >> Can you, Kevin, just talk about the fact that you guys lost your starting
03:19 quarterback this week, and just the way that you pulled together,
03:24 right from the start on it.
03:26 >> Yeah, that's where I'm proud of most, Mary Kay, just this resilient group.
03:30 And they've done this, we've talked about it, they've come together,
03:35 they fight for each other, and we needed that.
03:37 We needed all hands on deck, like I mentioned earlier, and I think we got that.
03:41 And injuries are a very, very unfortunate part of this game, we all hate them.
03:45 But it's part of the game, and we just knew early in the week that this was gonna
03:50 be one where everybody has to do their job, that's what they did.
03:53 >> Speaking of all hands, why the decision to go with two right tackles?
03:57 >> Yeah, I mean, DeJuan's working through that injury,
04:00 I would say he's all the way back yet.
04:02 So I have a ton of confidence in James,
04:04 I felt like we could get DeJuan in there as well.
04:06 >> Have you ever done that before?
04:07 >> It's a first.
04:08 >> You've been complimentary of DTR and the way he prepped and played today.
04:12 Obviously, there were a number of drop passes.
04:14 What is it about his mentality to clear the air when there are things that he
04:19 can't control to just keep pressing forward?
04:22 >> I think that's when you're playing quarterback,
04:24 it's not gonna be perfect at all times.
04:27 And you have to have a very short memory when you're playing in that position.
04:30 So whether your guy drops or not, you're going back to,
04:34 our guys have made unbelievable catches over this season.
04:37 We'll continue to do that, and you continue to trust your guys.
04:39 >> And even those drop passes might be because he throws the ball differently
04:45 in DeJuan?
04:46 >> No, I don't think so, just, we'll be better next time.
04:49 >> Kevin, during the week you stressed almost every day about DTR,
04:53 maybe to prepare him as a professional.
04:55 Is there a question for- >> No, no, not at all.
04:59 >> Kevin, can you just address all the emotions that were swirling around this
05:03 game, you had Nick Chubb coming out and being introduced,
05:06 you had Jim Donovan coming back, you had DeSean Watson on the sideline.
05:09 It was a very emotional game.
05:11 >> No, yeah, great to see Nick out there, and I see Nick every day.
05:15 But great to see him in the building for our fans to see him.
05:19 And so excited about Jimmy Donovan, I mean, what an unbelievable person.
05:23 He means so much to this organization, to this fan base.
05:26 He did a nice job smashing that guitar.
05:28 I was curious how he was gonna get back up there for the first play call.
05:32 But love Jimmy, love everything he brings to this team,
05:36 the passion he brings to this team.
05:37 So I'm gonna make sure that he gets a game ball for this one.
05:42 I'm gonna hand it to him here in a little bit.
05:43 >> Did you see Nick firing up the- >> Yeah.
05:48 >> But did you see him at all firing up the crowd at seven o'clock?
05:51 >> I did not, yeah.
05:53 >> Obviously Dustin did that game-winning field goal, but
05:55 just his continued consistency throughout this season.
05:58 What does it just say about what he's added to the special teams unit?
06:02 >> Yeah, I mean, Dustin's so trustworthy, so dependable.
06:05 Not ever gonna worry if he misses one or two.
06:09 I mean, that's just, we got him for a reason, and he comes through for us.
06:13 >> Kim, do you know any inkling on Andy Walker or-
06:16 >> I don't, I don't.
06:17 Good?
06:18 Thanks guys.
06:19 Thank you.
06:19 Thanks guys. Thank you.