The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
HURDLES AREN’T SLOWING STEFANSKI
Coach says team will be creating game-like settings in training camp
Kevin Stefanski’s first training camp as Browns head coach is under way, and he could not be more excited about facing the challenges that lie ahead.
“We have 44 days until the opener on Sept. 13,” Stefanski said July 30 on Zoom conference. “There are six off days of those 44, so we have to make every day count, even those off days. The guys have to make sure that they are serious about their recovery. We will be efficient. I think we have a really strong plan in terms of how we are going to ramp it up.”
Quarterbacks, rookies and injured players reported to Berea on July 24. The remaining veterans reported July 28. The first full-padded practice is set for Aug. 17, but many steps have to be taken before that point, beginning with on-field conditioning Aug. 3-11.
“Obviously, the NFL gave us a very strict guideline. But even within those guidelines, I think we’ve a really strong plan and are making sure that we safely acclimate the players and then continue to teach these systems,” Stefanski said.
“There are a bunch of things that we’re doing past the protocols. The first seven to 10 days or two weeks are so critical to this ...” — Browns coach Kevin Stefanski
“I go back to our offseason program; I was really impressed with the amount of work we were able to get done back in the spring, so then that’s something where I feel like we’ve built a foundation. Now, we get to build upon that foundation here in training camp.”
Teams had to conduct all offseason programs through virtual coaching because of the novel coronavirus, which also caused the NFL to cancel all preseason games. Stefanski won’t moan, but there is no doubt the fallout from the pandemic is hampering Stefanski and other first-time head coaches more than it is affecting established coaches.
No preseason games and not being able to scrimmage with other teams
(the Browns were going to scrimmage with the Packers before an Aug. 22 preseason game at Green Bay) means Stefanski and his assistants must make all their decisions from what they glean from the practice fields in Berea and team meetings. Still, Stefanski says there is enough time to get his team ready for the season opener in Baltimore on Sept. 13.
“It is definitely unique,” Stefanski said. “It’s our job to create as many moments in training camp and as many times we can in practice to mimic game-like settings and put the players in some situational football so that we don’t lose those four games.”
The Browns are so vigilant doing what they can do prevent the spread of COVID-19 that Stefanski has decided to hold splitsquad workouts, designating one “orange” team and one “brown” team to
maximize social distancing when coaches conduct walk-through practices. As it is, weight training and on-field conditioning sessions are mandated to have a maximum of 15 players in each group.
“We are going to do that (split-quad workouts) just to limit the people in the building,” Stefanski said. “We aren’t going to have in-person meetings until Aug. 9. We’re going to just stay virtual. There are a bunch of things that we’re doing past the protocols. The first seven to 10 days or two weeks are so critical to this, per the medical experts, that we really want to do everything in our power to make this as safe an environment for our players as possible.”
Punter Jamie Gillan on July 30 became the third Browns player to be put on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Do not confuse that designation with players that
have decided to opt out. Being on the reserve/COVID-19 list means a player either tested positive for COVID-19 or was in close proximity to an infected person or persons.
Running back Dontrell Hilliard and safety Jovante Moffatt were placed on the same list July 26. There is no set timetable for players on the list to be activated.
“It really is treated on an individual basis,” Browns head trainer Joe Sheehan said on a Zoom conference July 29. “I don’t think that it’s really fair to put a timeline on one end or the other. We just know that our individuals will be treated appropriately, and when it’s safe and healthy for them to return to the field, then we will discuss that decision.”
Two Browns players on July 29 opted out of the 2020 season — second year guard Drew Forbes and rookie tackle Drake Dorbeck.