Kevin Stefanski Press Conference January 9, 2024
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski talks at the podium for the first time during Wild Card week.
Transcript
00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:10 >> Hey, what's going on?
00:11 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:14 Okay, excited about the opportunity we have in front of us,
00:17 going down there to play a very, very good Houston team.
00:20 We have to have a great week of preparation.
00:23 What we've talked about as a team, just this is the time where you really have to
00:27 have a great week of preparation, whether it's a meeting or a walkthrough or
00:31 a lift or practice, whatever it is.
00:32 So the guys understand that and
00:34 that's what we'll get ready to do today and starting this week.
00:37 We're also excited that we're the first game.
00:41 We don't have to wait an extra day, so we get to get up and go.
00:44 But looking at this game, I know we recently played this team.
00:49 As you know, they're different, everybody's different each week, but
00:52 CJ Straub's a great player.
00:54 I mean, he's a great player, so we did not face him in the first one.
00:58 There's injuries that guys that are back on defense that they didn't have,
01:01 they've signed a couple free agents on defense.
01:03 So really, as everybody knows, you're a different team week to week, and
01:06 certainly this is a different team we're facing.
01:08 But I know it's a very, very talented team.
01:11 They're very well coached.
01:12 I have a ton of respect for D'Amico, his entire coaching staff.
01:14 So it's a great challenge, but
01:17 we're really focused on the work that's gonna go into it this week.
01:21 But with that, I'll take any questions.
01:23 >> Kevin, do you expect Dustin to kick for you guys this week?
01:25 >> I think it's unlikely.
01:26 >> Kevin, what stands out?
01:29 You mentioned CJ when you watch him on tape, what stands out?
01:33 >> Yeah, he's awesome.
01:35 I remember watching him early, Tom, because we had some crossover tape and
01:41 getting ready to play Baltimore.
01:42 I know he played in that, that was his first game.
01:45 And I think even in that game, you saw some plays and some throws where you knew
01:48 right away that that kid was really, really talented.
01:52 And I know the state has seen him play quite a bit.
01:56 So he's a very talented young man.
02:00 And I think the tape is what we as coaches always kind of go back to, and
02:05 he's got some really great tape.
02:07 >> Kevin, I couldn't have anticipated it, but
02:11 would you in the future instruct your kickers not to do what Dustin did?
02:19 >> Yeah, I think it's always that fine line, Jeff,
02:21 where you wanna make a play for the team, you wanna hustle.
02:24 But you also don't wanna put yourself in harm's way.
02:27 So those are things we talk about, but
02:30 you can't deny that our guys have great effort out there.
02:35 >> Kevin, obviously, Grant could be activated this week.
02:39 Is he not ready?
02:41 He's still here?
02:43 >> Yes, still could be.
02:47 >> You talked about the changes you're gonna see with Houston.
02:50 What difference could it make having a guy like Will Anderson,
02:53 a guy like Grenard, a different playoff?
02:54 >> Yeah, exactly, yeah.
02:56 It's like everybody, you want all your players to be healthy at this point in
03:00 the season.
03:01 Everybody's dealing with it in varying degrees, but
03:05 those are some really, really good edge rushers they have.
03:08 >> How do you feel about your receiving core,
03:10 the health of your receiving core, heading into this game?
03:13 >> Yeah, I feel good.
03:14 Obviously, SED's still in the concussion protocol, but
03:17 I think all those other guys are doing well.
03:19 >> Some of the players spoke at a team meeting that had Super Bowl playoff
03:25 experience.
03:26 Why do you think that was an important exercise for them?
03:29 >> They weren't supposed to tell you that.
03:31 No, I think for all of us, as you get started on the second season,
03:35 I think it's important to hear from different perspectives.
03:39 That's all it was.
03:40 >> Was it just playoff experience or
03:42 was it guys with Super Bowl experience that spoke?
03:45 >> Yes.
03:45 >> Speaking of first, I'll go with that.
03:49 >> Kevin, Nico Collins and just seeing the way that he and CJ have developed
03:53 chemistry in the past game with Pink Dell still out for them.
03:56 How much of a challenge is he, especially just given his size?
03:58 >> Yeah, I mean, that's it, Ashley.
03:59 He's just a really physical football player, can make contested catches,
04:05 has the speed, has breakaway speed.
04:07 He's a big play receiver, as you saw in the first play of the game the other night.
04:12 He's really, really talented.
04:13 >> You spoke of perspective.
04:15 Your rookie season as a head coach, you took this team to the playoffs.
04:21 D'Amico's a rookie coach.
04:23 What is it as a first year coach that you just don't
04:30 know until you know when you go into a playoff game?
04:37 >> Yeah, I think for all of our players, coaches,
04:40 you have a lot of rookies on the team, guys that haven't been in that type of
04:43 situation, it's exciting to be a part of it.
04:47 But it also goes back to doing all the little things that got you there and
04:50 really focusing on fundamentals.
04:52 Those are the type of things that you talk about with our young players.
04:55 >> What about, I was more speaking from your perspective as a coach,
05:00 what didn't you know going in that you learned in that experience?
05:06 >> Yeah, I think for all of us as coaches, Chris,
05:10 I would tell you every experience you're trying to gain something from.
05:16 So you learn from wins, you learn from losses.
05:20 So every experience, games on the road, games in prime time,
05:24 those type of things, I think all of them you learn from.
05:26 >> Is the feeling with Dustin Hopkins that maybe he's getting close and
05:30 he can get back for some of the later games.
05:31 You don't wanna waste him in this game and make it worse?
05:34 >> Yeah, I wouldn't characterize it that way.
05:36 I'd just say he's progressing, but I don't think he'll be ready for this week.
05:40 >> Kevin, you said a couple of weeks ago that Miles' leadership,
05:44 you've seen a huge jump in that, his teammates would say that, which they do.
05:48 When you say you've made a huge jump in leadership,
05:50 what does that mean exactly?
05:52 What does that look like?
05:56 >> Yeah, I think it can look like a bunch of different things.
06:00 I think biggest thing for me with all of our guys, Jake,
06:03 is you want them to be the best version of themselves.
06:06 You don't want them to be something different.
06:08 So when it comes to leadership, if you're a vocal person, be vocal.
06:12 If you're not, don't.
06:13 And if you need to lead by example, you lead by example.
06:15 So I think just with Miles, he's very comfortable in his own skin.
06:20 I think he can lead by example, and he does lead by example,
06:23 both in the building and on game day.
06:26 He can also be vocal.
06:27 I mean, he's not afraid to speak up to his teammates and push them.
06:31 Sometimes pick them up off the ground, those type of things.
06:34 I think he's grown in a bunch of different ways, but
06:37 sometimes it's hard to really put a finger on.
06:40 >> When your best player's doing those things,
06:43 what does that do for your entire team?
06:44 >> Yeah, I think we're very fortunate to have a bunch of really good leadership
06:51 on this team.
06:52 When it comes from Miles and the caliber of player that he is,
06:55 I think that's just a greater driver, certainly, of some of your messaging.
07:00 >> Memorial has had a game beat the first time we went down to Houston.
07:04 Do you expect them to do something drastically different?
07:08 >> Yeah, I mean, you talk through those type of things, and
07:11 same idea from our perspective.
07:14 It's that chess match of things that we tried.
07:17 Are you gonna try it again?
07:18 Are you gonna try it a different way?
07:19 Are they gonna adjust?
07:20 It's all those things that you go into a game, you have conversations about, but
07:23 you really don't know until you get into the game.
07:26 And sometimes you won't know till the third series.
07:28 And so there's always that chess match that takes place between the staff and
07:34 their staff and see what their answers are and you better have counter punches ready.
07:38 >> [INAUDIBLE] What can those experience and
07:42 then just really help one the offensive, especially the younger guys,
07:47 because they're going through this experience for the first time?
07:50 >> Yeah, I think all of our veteran players that have been in these type of games and
07:55 veteran coaches that have been these type of games,
07:59 I think you can certainly message to the young guys.
08:04 The rookies are really the ones that have not experienced these type of games and
08:06 younger players.
08:07 So you wanna just message to them, again, going back to what we were talking earlier,
08:11 that what wins doesn't change.
08:14 It ultimately does come down to doing your job and doing all those little things.
08:18 >> I just wanna clarify something with Riley.
08:21 Since Dustin's gonna be unlikely to kick, are you guys,
08:25 does it reset for the postseason, the elevation?
08:28 >> It does, it does.
08:29 >> Unlimited.
08:29 >> So back to zero, so- >> Correct.
08:32 >> Hard to win in September, never mind in January.
08:37 Joe's playoff record, especially on the road, is it, I know you're confident in
08:41 him at any time, but does that give you an added boost of confidence?
08:44 >> Yeah, again, I think when you're talking about Joe's career,
08:48 he's obviously done this at a high level in the biggest game.
08:52 So I think the confidence comes from demonstrated ability, and
08:56 with Joe, he's done it in these big games.
08:58 But more than that, I think his teammates see how he works on a daily basis.
09:02 I think they see him out there on the practice field in the meeting rooms, and
09:06 they trust in his preparation.
09:07 >> Jeff, does scull be your number two for this game?
09:10 >> We're working through all that.
09:11 >> Do you sense the excitement from the city going into these playoffs?
09:19 You were there before, but it was kind of a different situation,
09:22 people were not out and about.
09:23 You were now, do you feel it?
09:26 >> I'm probably a bad barometer for it, Jake.
09:28 I'm sure knowing the city, I know how important this team is to them, and
09:34 we understand that.
09:35 We've seen it however many times down in the lake this season.
09:38 So looking forward to seeing some of those Brownies fans down there on Saturday.
09:43 >> It was good as a defense to play all year.
09:45 There were some bumps on the road, then you went down to Houston.
09:48 It's great.
09:49 Do you think you guys gain confidence from being able to travel and
09:53 put yourselves out there?
09:54 >> But yes, Scott, but as you know, these are one game seasons and
09:58 you gotta answer the bell every single week.
10:01 I mean, that's the fun part again of the playoffs.
10:03 It truly is one game seasons.
10:05 >> I've wanted this for a long time.
10:08 >> You might have asked, Jeff.
10:09 >> [LAUGH] >> What is your typical daily schedule?
10:14 Are you one of those five in the morning to one in the morning guys?
10:17 >> I've always thought, Jeff, that when I get in the building or
10:21 when I leave the building, there's a lot of people out there that work a lot harder
10:25 than I do.
10:26 So I get in the building and have my cup of coffee.
10:28 I'm not grinding like some of the people around our country.
10:33 So I'll leave it a mystery.
10:36 >> Okay, but my point was gonna be that I don't know how coaches do it and
10:42 still can think clearly at the end of the season when some put in those.
10:48 Like crazy out.
10:49 >> Yeah, it's football.
10:51 We got a great job.
10:52 It's fun.
10:53 We had a meeting this morning with the offensive staff.
10:56 It was a little loopy cuz everybody was tired, but the guys were into it and
11:01 excited about the opportunity.
11:02 But it is part of our gig.
11:05 You're up early, you're staying up late.
11:07 >> Kevin, the practice squad has kind of morphed into something different in
11:10 the last few years.
11:11 How advantageous is that as a mechanism to stash guys away or
11:15 >> Yeah, absolutely.
11:17 Yeah, it's a good point because back in the day I wanna say it was eight and
11:21 now it's 16 and we still fret over not having enough spots somehow.
11:26 But yeah, to be able to have guys on your practice squad that you are
11:31 getting ready to play just in case, I think it's really important.
11:34 As you know, once you get into the postseason,
11:37 you have a limited number of free agent signing.
11:39 So to have guys that know your system, that you trust,
11:43 that you could elevate in a situation where you need them, I think is important.
11:48 >> Does that make signing veterans more of a priority or
11:54 do you have to strike some sort of balance there?
11:57 >> It's a good question.
11:58 I don't know ultimately what Andrew's philosophy is when it comes to that,
12:04 specifically, but if you look at our practice squad right now,
12:07 I mean, it's good mix of young and old.
12:09 And I think it does make sense to have some guys that you just never know.
12:13 You wanna have guys that have certainly have some experience.
12:16 >> You guys can be in [INAUDIBLE] >> We will, we'll be in [INAUDIBLE]
12:20 Definitely today.
12:20 >> Do you like playing against the team in the playoffs that you have some work and
12:26 knowledge in because you played them already or because it's so week to week?
12:29 Do you feel like it [INAUDIBLE] >> It goes both ways, it really does.
12:34 It's unique having played them just a couple weeks ago,
12:38 go back to 2020 playing Pittsburgh back to back weeks.
12:41 I mean, those are unique because there's not much new tape coming in.
12:45 There's a couple games that you can watch and see maybe what adjustments and
12:50 things that they're doing differently from that first matchup.
12:52 But it is certainly unique, but I don't think it gives either side an advantage.
12:56 Okay, thanks guys.
12:58 [BLANK_AUDIO]