Browns Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt speaks at the podium ahead of the teams Sunday afternoon match-up against the Chicago Bears.
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00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:10 >> Tough week on the injury front.
00:13 >> Yeah.
00:13 >> When would Joel become, I know he's always an option to slide out, but
00:20 is that even more possible now than ever?
00:22 >> I don't think so.
00:23 I don't, I think our tackles played well last week.
00:27 Really proud of James and Jerome, both those guys.
00:31 Throw it 45 times against those edge rushers and have one sack that was really
00:35 an RPO that wasn't on the line, it's really impressive.
00:39 So yeah, he's always available and he's done it, but
00:42 I feel confident the way our guys are playing.
00:44 >> What can you say about the game that Joe had in his first victory?
00:50 >> He did great.
00:51 I mean, he's getting back into the groove, I think, now and
00:55 starting to feel confident in the play calls, what we're asking those guys to do.
01:01 It showed, whatever little rust he had, it looked like it's knocked off now.
01:07 He's playing at a high level.
01:08 Again, like the way he's seen the field,
01:11 his ability to be accurate at all three levels has been impressive.
01:14 >> 89 passes in two games, is that too much?
01:20 Is it just how it worked out?
01:22 What's it say about Joe?
01:23 What's it say about how the games have come?
01:25 >> Yeah, I mean, I think it shows Joe how much confidence we have in him in
01:29 the past game.
01:29 I think that's the key part there.
01:32 You're gonna play differently each week.
01:33 Just so it happens, the last two weeks,
01:35 we felt like we had some good matchups in the past game.
01:38 That changes week to week, but obviously, we feel confident with this,
01:42 we make decisions and read the field, make throws.
01:45 So probably has something to do with it.
01:48 >> [INAUDIBLE]
01:52 >> Yeah, really good defense.
02:00 The record wasn't an indication of how good they're playing on defense,
02:06 really the last four games, but playing at a high level.
02:09 The scheme is really good.
02:12 I think there's some change philosophically over the course of the season,
02:16 how that defense is running compared to earlier in the season.
02:19 So definitely some challenges there.
02:21 Really, really good corner to the field.
02:24 I think he's one of the premier corners in the league.
02:26 So definitely present some challenges.
02:29 Their nickel, really good cover for nickel as well.
02:32 So they definitely present some challenges in the past game.
02:35 >> You mentioned that, that was a stack up in the field.
02:37 Has Joe done a lot of that in his career?
02:39 Our field looked like he ran a handful of those.
02:42 >> Yeah, we did.
02:42 I mean, it's not hard, I don't think.
02:45 I don't think just because he's a taller pocket passer, you can't on RPOs.
02:48 We're just reading a defender on the field.
02:50 So I wasn't surprised by the reaction as everybody else.
02:53 But yeah, that was an RPO.
02:55 We got a little, try to do a little too much there and held off all too long.
02:59 But yeah, I mean, I think it's not unrealistic for a pocket passer on RPO.
03:06 >> Talk about how good his play action is, Joe, with the little hand movements and
03:11 what have you.
03:12 Is that the reason that those plays were as wide open as they were to David and
03:16 the other team and little David?
03:18 >> Yeah, really, the last one was a drop back to the deep L.
03:22 That was cool.
03:24 Just zero pressure.
03:25 What a great job he did of hanging in, knowing exactly the protection was blocked.
03:29 Exactly how we had to have it blocked.
03:31 Kareem laid out, blocked the guy in the A gap, which was awesome.
03:33 We drifted away from the D gap pressure guy.
03:36 And that's it.
03:37 >> You can draw it up.
03:38 >> Yeah, I mean, as far as just how we operated in that key situation on
03:42 the quick downs, it's really impressive for those guys.
03:45 I'm proud of the way we handled that.
03:47 Yeah, but the play action, go back to your, really strong play action, Biggs.
03:53 The touchdown of David, the second one, really good play action action.
03:58 The back did a great job of picking up the pressure right in the A gap or
04:01 B gap to his side.
04:03 And the linebackers really bit down on that run action that allowed Dave to pop
04:07 out the back side.
04:08 But he's got big hands.
04:11 You could do a lot with that ball in the play action part of that.
04:14 >> Do you have anyone with more talent?
04:20 >> As far as just that talent in arms, Aaron, obviously,
04:23 was extremely talented pass runner.
04:25 Maybe it's not the velocity that he has, the accuracy for sure.
04:28 As far as velocity and down the field pros, probably not.
04:31 >> I'm not sure if these last two games,
04:34 I mean it was nine receivers and then eight this past game.
04:38 How much of that is what you guys have drawn up offensively and
04:43 how much of that is show just reading the field and finding ways to distribute?
04:49 I mean, is that by design, having this many receivers?
04:54 >> We definitely pinpoint guys to do certain things.
04:56 For example, the touchdown that David Bell had, that was his route.
05:03 We felt really confident he would make a great decision on that route.
05:06 So guys definitely get put in the spots where we're gonna use their skill set for
05:10 them to be successful.
05:11 And then that's a portion of that.
05:13 And then the other part of that is just reading the defense and
05:15 getting the ball to the open player.
05:17 >> So going back under center more,
05:20 does that change a whole bunch to boost the offense at all?
05:24 >> It's just a different approach.
05:26 We did a lot of the stuff, same type of plays from the gun.
05:30 Just allowing us under center, it does have a little more pool in the play action
05:35 game when you get under center.
05:36 That's definitely true.
05:38 >> Is there something to be said about Joe coming in fresh at this time of year?
05:45 That he hasn't taken kind of the pounding that most of the other quarterbacks
05:49 league has.
05:50 >> I think so, for sure.
05:51 I mean, he's fresh as a daisy right now and feeling great.
05:54 There aren't many players in the league right now that are feeling great at this
05:57 time of the year.
05:58 >> How different is the offense right now versus what you were maybe doing,
06:05 Sean Watson?
06:06 >> Yeah, it's definitely different.
06:08 I mean, there's differences for sure.
06:10 I would put it back into the Jacoby time when he played when we were under center
06:14 more.
06:15 The good news is we've been through that and we know how to operate in both.
06:19 >> Along those lines, this more of like Kevin's bread and butter, if you will.
06:25 I mean, what he's most comfortable and
06:26 familiar with in terms of an offense with kind of a traditional pocket passer.
06:31 >> Yeah, I think so.
06:32 I think Kevin does a great job adapting to whoever is there.
06:36 I think that's one of the things that makes him such a great coach is his ability
06:39 to be flexible and adapt and change.
06:41 Definitely, that's probably an area that feels most comfortable,
06:46 coming from the systems that he was in.
06:48 But I mean, I think we changed.
06:50 We could do as much as we need to do depending on who our players are.
06:53 >> [INAUDIBLE]
06:59 >> It's a little different.
07:00 We'll still have some of those situations.
07:02 I thought the guys did a great job.
07:03 Nick, obviously coming in and playing for Poles big, huge way he stepped up.
07:08 And then that put Harrison in some different spots in those packages.
07:13 So a lot of changing game day on the sideline to get everything lined up
07:16 correctly, jobs change for sure.
07:19 It definitely had an effect, but we'll work through that.
07:22 >> [INAUDIBLE]
07:32 >> She starts with Kevin and
07:34 I think is the mindset for him is we're always gonna try to put whoever that
07:39 person is behind center in the best position for them to be successful.
07:44 All starts with the quarterback.
07:46 We can play to his skill set, whatever that is.
07:48 That's gonna help us all.
07:50 I think he's done a great job of how we designed the plan each week for
07:53 each guy that's in the team.
07:55 So I think that's a big part of it.
07:57 That's gonna help us all.
07:58 I think he's done a great job of how we designed the plan each week for
08:01 each guy that's playing.
08:03 And then how the game's called as well.
08:04 So really, I think it's a hat off to get.
08:07 >> Now, David is such a big hat, big purse hat, right?
08:10 And I don't think you talked about it.
08:12 They really do a lot of, did they adjust defensively to take him out?
08:16 >> Not so much.
08:17 It's just kind of how the game went at that point.
08:20 His plays were big early, and
08:21 then we kind of just we were attacking other places later in the game.
08:25 But great game for him, obviously.
08:28 He's done an outstanding job all year, not just as a player, but as a teammate.
08:33 We give out the awards for the pickups each week.
08:35 He won last week.
08:36 He's not only being productive, he's being a great teammate.
08:38 And he's having a heck of a year, I'm proud of him.
08:42 >> A couple players mentioned recently about the next man up.
08:47 I think that the younger guys, the full players,
08:52 have done a really good job developing behind the scenes to make sure
08:58 that they are ready to step in and contribute right away.
09:03 So my question is, have you guys changed anything this year with maybe
09:09 behind the scenes development to make sure that guys are ready?
09:14 Or do you feel like it's just more initiative from the guys that aren't
09:17 getting those reps?
09:18 >> Yeah, there's a ton of work that goes on behind the scenes,
09:22 not on the practice field.
09:23 Our young coaches do a great job of getting the extra work with those guys,
09:27 whether Scott Peter, John DaCosta, working with the younger players off to the side.
09:32 Callie working with Ced and some of the younger receivers, getting them ready.
09:36 There's a lot of work that goes in on the side to get those guys ready.
09:39 But it is important.
09:41 We do feel like we do a good job of developing the young players, so
09:44 when they do have a chance to play, they're ready to go.
09:46 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Is there more that you guys can
09:51 unfold with this offense?
09:52 And does that play a part in Joe's ability to get that ball to different
09:56 receivers and have that diversity?
09:58 >> Definitely, I think it definitely, you gotta defend the whole field.
10:01 You gotta defend every player.
10:02 And the more you can spread it around,
10:04 the more they can isolate on your top guys.
10:07 So if they're spending more time with Dave and Amari,
10:11 then that should open up Ced, Elijah, and the other guys.
10:14 So it only helps the whole offense, the more players touch the ball.
10:19 >> [INAUDIBLE]
10:25 >> Man, just probably just operation.
10:27 Knowing where the snap points were, the cadence work that we did.
10:31 We do a lot of motions and shifting.
10:33 So just a fuller understanding of just really operation at that point.
10:37 I think he's- >> [INAUDIBLE]
10:39 >> Yes, yeah, we'll keep loading more
10:42 things on as we get more familiar with the system with Joe.
10:44 But yeah, I think it was really clean last week in our operation,
10:48 minus the false starts, but we did a nice job there.
10:50 >> Alex, [INAUDIBLE]
10:54 >> Boys of Flaco,
10:56 outfield, and Timo, just how valuable is that for you guys,
10:59 especially if you stretch, you're trying to kind of finish it off and earn that playoff.
11:03 >> Yeah, he definitely brings a calming presence.
11:05 I think the amount of games he's played in his career, it's not too big, obviously.
11:09 And he's seen a lot of football.
11:11 So he definitely brings a calming factor to that sideline for
11:14 those guys, I'm sure, in the huddle as well.
11:16 >> Alex, how much does sweat change that Bears pass rush?
11:23 >> Definitely, skilled pass rusher, good against the run, really good player,
11:27 big, strong, physical, power rusher.
11:30 He's definitely helped them a ton since he's got there.
11:34 >> Alex, in terms of unlocking more with the pass,
11:36 I mean, Amari's obviously been playing banked up.
11:38 He's done that throughout his career.
11:40 But even just in that respect, do you think that alone is a lot more left to be
11:44 mined there between their connection?
11:46 >> For sure, yeah, we're just scratching the surface, I think,
11:49 as we get to know each other.
11:50 I go back to the Rams throw on third and 14, where he just,
11:54 two guys that not work together at time that were on the same page.
11:57 So that'll continue to grow.
12:00 >> How happy were you to see David Belden?
12:03 >> There's a picture, I don't know if you guys, I'll get out to the front, but
12:05 on the big screen out there,
12:06 there's that picture of Dave smiling as he's going into the end zone.
12:09 That just made my day.
12:11 How happy was he and how happy was everybody for him too.
12:13 I think Joel's the first guy down to celebrate with.
12:15 [BLANK_AUDIO]
12:17 >> Thanks guys.