The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Stefanski keeping the ship steady
No players or coaches from the Browns were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Jan. 6. Progress.
No players or coaches from the Browns were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Jan. 6. Progress.
The training facility in Berea remained closed for a second straight day, so there was no on-field practice. Instead, players went through a virtual walkthrough as they get ready for their playoff game Jan. 10 with the Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
It isn’t what anybody wants, but Coach Kevin Stefanski, who tested positive for COVID on Jan. 5, is not shaken by what has happened. If players follow his lead they can face the Steelers as a well-prepared team.
“It’s disappointing for any of the guys who can’t be involved in this,” Stefanski said Jan. 6 from his home on a Zoom call. “We had a team meeting yesterday afternoon just to reassure them that we have a job to do.
“We’ll make sure we keep everybody safe, first and foremost, and then we’ll get back to work and put a plan together to go on the road versus a really good football team. That’s really pretty simple. We have to find a way.”
Stefanski plus tight ends coach Drew Petzing and defensive backs coach Jeff Howard along with left guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver Khadarel Hodge all tested positive on Jan. 5. Stefanski said he feels fine, but he and the four others cannot be with the Browns when they play the Steelers.
Cor nerback s Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson, tight end Harrison Bryant, safety Andrew Sendejo and linebacker Malcolm Smith are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Linebacker B.J. Goodson was activated from the COVID list on Jan. 6. The Browns made two other roster moves. They signed center Anthony Fabiano and elevated safety Elijah Benton from the practice squad.
A player who tested positive for COVD-19 must remain in isolation a minimum of 10 days. All but Johnson could be activated in time to face the Steelers provided they test negative.
Stefanski said he has no idea how he got COVID-19. He said he feels fine and looked fine sitting at his desk in front of a framed picture of Jim Brown carrying the ball in a game against the Steelers.
Though Stefanski cannot be involved on game day, meaning he can’t call anyone from his coaching staff once the game with the Steelers begins, he is totally involved in game preparation.
Special teams coach Mike Priefer will be the stand-in head coach on the practice field when the Browns do get clearance from the NFL to reopen their facility. First, though, league officials must complete the contact tracing to make sure the training complex at 76 Lou Groza Boulevard in Berea is safe.
“I have my setup here and have all of the tape I need,” Stefanski said. “We meet virtually anyway as a staff to put game plans together so that’s very much business as usual. When we do get in the building and have a practice, obviously, Coach Priefer will run that.”
Stefanski confirmed offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will call plays in the playoff game. As he did several times in the Zoom call, Stefanski said the Browns will operate fine without him being on the sideline in Pittsburgh.
“This team is not my image. It’s the Cleveland Browns,” Stefanski said. “We have established an identity. We did it back in the spring. I think the guys understand perfectly how we play and how we win. It does not change, regardless of who is on the sideline.
“AVP (Van Pelt) has been a huge part of our offense’s success. He’s a huge part of play calling. I may be the one sending it in there, but there’s a ton of dialogue occurring between me, AVP and the rest of the offensive staff. I put my finger on a chart, and I read (when calling a play). That’s not very hard. AVP can definitely do that much better than I can.”
Offensive line coach Bill Callahan, assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters and wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea are still sidelined with COVD-19. Stefanski had no update on their availability for the playoff game.