CLEVELAND (AP) – Kevin Stefanski isn’t necessarily proud that he and his coaching staff have become proficient at working virtually.
It’s not been by choice.
We’ve gotten a lot of reps on Zoom,” he said. “Hopefully, we are getting better.
The Browns had their second day of remote meetings Tuesday after Cleveland’s players – along with more than a dozen teams across the NFL – decided to skip any voluntary in-person workouts for the time being because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stefanski overcame all kinds of obstacles in his first season with Cleveland. He led the Browns to an 11-5 record, their first playoff berth in 18 years, and their first postseason win since 1994, which he watched from home after testing positive for the virus.
As he begins a second season with significant expectations for the Browns, Stefanski cannot coach the way he’s always known – at least until last year. He’s not complaining, at least not publicly, and Stefanski intends to keep it that way. As you can imagine, I respect our players,” he said.
I respect the voluntary portion of this. You also know I am a coach, and I think we have outstanding coaches here who cannot wait to get on the grass with our players. Stefanski has had several conversations with Browns Center and NFL Players Association president JC Tretter. Tretter has leaned heavily on statistical data, which, not surprisingly, shows there were more minor injuries last season due to players practicing less. We will figure it out as it goes, but we will make sure we are in the here and now as we go.guys are doing a nice job with. We will deal with anything else that comes down the road, but I will make sure that the communication continues between JC and any of the players and myself.”
Last year, everything was virtual, and the pandemic delayed the training campemic. Last week, the league sent a memo to teams announcing that the first four weeks of the voluntary program will be virtual before transitioning to in-person work at the teams’ facilities. Ki offered encouraging injury updates on star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., cornerback Greedy Williams, and safety Grant Delpit.
Williams (shoulder nerve) and Delpit (ruptured Achilles tendon) missed last season, and their losses depleted a secondary with other issues. Beckham tore a knee ligament at Cincinnati in Week 7, underwent surgery, and cut the remainder of the season. He’s trending in the right direction,” Stefanski said of Beckham. “Odell, Grant Delpit, and Greedy are all on track. I don’t know the exact date for all those guys, but I like their progress.
Williams got hurt in training camp and seemed on the verge of returning several times but never returned.
“I’m just so happy for the kid,” Stefanski said. “He battled his butt off in the rehab room for months and had a great attitude throughout. I’m just really, really happy for him as he keeps improving. He’s got a ways to go, but he’s trending in the right direction.”
NOTES: Last week’s theatrical release of defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson saved the Browns some money and weakened their line. Stefanski didn’t rule out Richardson’s possibility of returning, but it seemed like a long shot. “I hope there is a scenario,” Stefanski said. “But those are the hard decisions that are made. I want to point out that Sheldon was a big part of our last year.
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