Kevin Stefanski Approaches Joint Practices With Eagles

Cleveland Browns v Jacksonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 12: Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns encourages his team against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a football game at TIAA Bank Field on August 12, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)Photo: (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

On if DE Myles Garrett is back at practice today:

“He is not, but he is excused.”

On if he knows how long Garrett will be out:

“I do not.”

On CB Denzel Ward returning to the active roster:

“It is great. He has been working very hard inside and out here. Ready to get back on the field. Obviously, we are excited to get him back out there.”

On if Ward will be full-go in practice today:

“Not just yet, but we will work him along appropriately.”

On if Ward will be full-go by the joint practices with the Eagles:

“We will see.”

On his approach to the practices leading up to joint practices later in the week:

“I would not call it a build up, no. Those practices, we know the value in them, but also, we are still in training camp mode so we have to work independent of those days coming up here. I think those will be a couple of really good days for all three sides of the ball to measure yourself up against another team, a playoff team. For now, it is really about training camp.”

On if he has had conversations with the team about the importance of joint practices and the work from them or if it is simply unspoken:

“I have talked to a few of the players about it. The guys who were here last year kind of know the program and how it works. Guys coming from different teams, a lot of people are doing similar programs. There is great value in it. We feel like (Preseason) Week 2 is the right week to do it.”

On if QB Deshaun Watson will play against the Eagles on Sunday:

“I am not ready to say that just yet.”

On if he has explored doing two joint practices during training camp like the Eagles:

“Personally, I feel like (Preseason) Week 2 is the best week to do it. I think (Preseason) Week 1, you are still in your installation, and (Preseason) Week 3 we treat as a regular season dress rehearsal, if you will. We feel like (Preseason) Week 2 is the right time to do it.”

On the TE group, particularly at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions:

“I think we have a bunch of good players in there. I do not know that there is clarity, per se, of the depth chart, but I think those type of things will play themselves out over the next few weeks.”

On confidence in QB Jacoby Brissett if Watson receives a prolonged suspension:

“I think he has been sharp since April. I have been very impressed by Jacoby. Very comfortable with him. Understand his skillset. I think he has a very good understanding of what we are trying to do offensively.

On run game coordinator/running backs coach Stump Mitchell’s remarks that RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have not reached their full potential and could receive 70-80 offensive plays a game:

“We will see. I think he is right that those two have not reached their potential. I hope none of us have reached our potential. Two really good football players. We talked about it a lot. We think we have a good plan for both of those guys to impact the games because that is ultimately what they do.”

On Mitchell’s remark that Hunt can afford to be more patient and can be too aggressive at times, resulting in potentially leaving yards on the field:

“I think Stump, as you know, challenges our guys and wants them to be their best. That probably speaks to Stump is going to give every player something they can work on each year and push them. It does not matter if you are a sixth-year pro or a rookie, Stump is going to push you. Having said that, Kareem is a very good football player. He has been very productive for us, but we do want to make sure that he has the mindset that he has to improve.”

On how disappointing it was not to have Chubb and Hunt on the field together at the same time more last season, including due to their availability:

“It is a little bit of a balance. Obviously, you have to have both guys healthy, and then you want to make sure that you are maximizing both of them. There will be times where we are able to do that, and there are times where we want one guy to be out there and one guy to be resting and to be fresh for when it is their turn. There are a couple of different ways to do it, but first things first is having both guys available.”

On RB Demetric Felton Jr. balancing time between the RBs and WRs rooms:

“He has done a very nice job of it. That is part of his value to this football team is he can play receiver for us and he can play running back for us. He has done both in games. He has done it in practice where he is with the running backs in individual and practicing as a wide receiver. I just think there is inherent value in having that player who is able to do both because No. 1, it helps you from a depth standpoint, and No. 2, it helps you from the defense having to treat him either as a running back or as a wide receiver. If they do one or the other, you can hopefully have an attack based on their plan.”

On the significance of Mitchell’s role on the coaching staff:

“I really value Stump’s opinion. I value his ability to coach. He played this game at the NFL level. He has been a head coach in college. He has been a position coach. I just think he brings a lot of wisdom to our staff and toughness our team.”

On if he and Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni talked this week about how to structure the joint practices or if those conversations occurred months in advance:

“Months ago. You have the general framework. Nick has done this with a bunch of teams over the last couple of years. They may have done it even last week. We have a general framework and then we have touched base with the coordinators and I have touched base with Nick. Then we will finalize exactly what we want it to look like.”

On if the Eagles will likely rest many of starters on Sunday after the joint practices, similar to the Browns’ plan:

“I believe that is their plan, yes.”

On if he has any old Eagles gear from his youth:

“Nothing that fits (laughter). I know a lot of people in that organization and coaching staff so excited to see all of those guys.”

On who his favorite Eagles player was growing up:

“(Pro Football Hall of Fame DE) Reggie White – the Minister of Defense. It is an easy one.”

On if White was his first jersey and if he still has it:

“Yes, first jersey. I do not still have it. It was a white T-shirt with marker written No. 92 in white (laughter). That is true.”

Hear Browns training camp updates on WTAM: HERE


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