NOTESNotes: Veteran coach Bill Callahan impressed with first-timer Kevin Stefanski’s leadership skills in difficult situationby Scott Petrak May 14, 2020
Kevin Stefanski hired Bill Callahan to coach the offensive line and help smooth his transition as a first-time head coach.
That was in January, before the world was turned on its head.
Stefanski and Callahan have been separated for almost two months after the coronavius pandemic shut down team facilities across the NFL, but Callahan’s admiration for his new boss has only grown.
“I think the world of Kevin and what he has done and accomplished in the very short period of time that we have been together,” Callahan said Thursday on a Zoom conference call. “That dynamic is interesting because he has been able to put together a staff, implement a system, coordinate everybody’s role and not only from the facility but from afar. His ability to communicate and connect is outstanding.
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“The message that he gives the players on a daily and weekly basis is really no different than what it feels like if you were sitting in the team room and listening to him speak. He is very well thought out. He is well-measured. He gets it. He understands players. He has been around some of the best players in the league.”
The Browns began their virtual offseason program April 20, with Stefanski addressing the team for the first time. He would rather be gathered in Berea but is pleased with the progress being made as the coaches work to come up with creative ways to teach the players the new offensive and defensive systems.
“As a leader, I am so impressed with his ability to communicate his message and his mission to the team,” said Callahan, a 40-year coaching veteran who’s been a head coach in the NFL and college. “It has been well-received. I know it has by our group and the offensive line.
“Yeah, we are in a tough spot, which everybody is, but he has been extremely positive. That is the one thing I have to say is that he is upbeat, he is outgoing and he reaches out. He has a really good way about himself, really even-keeled, does not get too emotional and does not get too down. He just keeps forging forward. I have been impressed in every aspect. Yeah, I am really fortunate and really honored to be on his staff.”
Callahan is also a fit because he has loads of experience in the wide zone run scheme Stefanski’s installing.
“I have always been a proponent of the wide zone, so I feel right at home with it,” Callahan said.
Callahan says Jedrick Wills “came alive on tape,” has tools to make switch to left tackle and start Week 1
UP FOR GRABS
Right guard is the one unsettled starting spot on the line after right tackle Jack Conklin was signed in free agency and Jedrick Wills was drafted No. 10 to play left tackle. Callahan isn’t worried.
“I am still getting familiarized with all the players,” he said. “We have not really set a depth chart, listed a starter. That is up for grabs. I really believe we have some excellent players in there in Wyatt Teller, Drew Forbes, Colby Gossett and Willie Wright.
“There are a lot of candidates. There will be a lot of time for competition. I think that will sort itself out as we move along. We are just going to keep assessing and evaluating the position as we move forward. There are enough candidates in there that I think someone will rise to the occasion and take over that spot.”
Teller started the final nine games of 2019, and Forbes was a sixth-round pick a year ago.
HAPPY TO HAVE HIM
Callahan didn’t mention Chris Hubbard as a possibility at right guard but is glad he took a pay cut to stay. Callahan evaluated him in free agency in 2018 before he signed a five-year, $36.5 million contract with the Browns. Hubbard’s deal was restructured in March after the Browns signed Conklin to take his starting spot and he will make $3.15 million in 2020.
“I really liked him. I thought he had the athleticism to come in and be a real benefit as a swing tackle at the time and he could help our line and eventually be the starter,” Callahan said of the 2018 evaluation. “I am just really anxious to get on the field with him and try to elevate his game and help him in any way I can.
“I think he is a really good football player. I know his heart is in it. He has swing ability and he could also play a jumbo tight end. He has a lot of value and a lot of upside.”
STEP RIGHT IN
Callahan sees Conklin as the ideal right tackle for Stefanski’s offense.
“You talk about a system fit, you could not get a more perfect tackle in free agency than Jack,” he said. “He fits the mode for the wide zone game and his pass protection sets, how he short sets and he jumps at the line of scrimmage, which is a tough skill to acquire. Then, of course, in third down and later downs, you can watch him set vertically and you can see his variance of sets. He has the toolbox and he has the skill set to do quite well.
“What I really like about Jack is he is a player that is really thirsty for new techniques and new ways of doing things.”
DO THE RIGHT THING
Callahan trusts the NFL will do what’s best as it decides when and how to return during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I really feel that the league and also the organization, they will make the best decision possible,” he said. “I just feel that the league, the organization and the owners will do what is in the best interest of everybody and they are not going to put anybody at risk.”
** Callahan appreciated center JC Tretter contacting him right away for the contact information for Wills and fifth-round center Nick Harris.
“He wanted to reach out to our new draftees and extend himself and let them know that he was welcoming them then into the group,” Callahan said. “For a veteran player to do that is awesome. You do not find that too often. That is special.”
Great point. The fact of the matter is that some people are best suited as the #2 guy. That's not a knock. I count myself as someone in that category. While I have stepped in to that head honcho spot, I've found I'm much more effective as the right hand man.
Absolutely not a knock. It takes a wise and brave person who understands that. Nothing wrong or shameful in being executive VP and not CEO of a large corporation, or being the lead man in the maintenance department at the plant and not the maintenance manager.
Same in football. Nothing wrong with being a coordinator and not a head coach, or being the position coach and not a coordinator. Everybody has a skill set.
It's not like the executive VP, the lead man in the plant, or the position coach don't make good money for the various fields they work. They are good at what they do. That is good in my view, I don't care what the job.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
I agree, you’d think with Stefanski’s philosophy, Callahan’s experience, and Chubb/Hunt/Our OL additions ... our run game SHOULD be incredible
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
I don't know what it is. Or, at least I can't be certain.
I do know he was under Pat Shurmur for a bit. Then he was under Flip. I know he was heavily influenced by Zimmer wanting to run the ball a ton. I know that Minni's WRs behind Theilan and Diggs stunk and that both starters missed times w/injuries. Thus, I think that might have influenced the number of TEs on the field. I also know that Kubiak had a lot of say in that offense last year. I am pretty sure Zimmer said it was the best hire he ever made.
Last year at this time, we thought we knew Freddie's philosophy. Turns out we were all wrong.
We might be right about what Stefanski is going to do, but I don't think we really know for sure.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
Last off-season Stefanski said that if we was ever a head coach he would run the Shanahan/Kubiak offense.
I did have a lot of questions about his philosophy because the dude has been under a lot of different offenses. Most recently, he was QB coach under Shurmur, then served under Flip, and then alongside Kubiak. Lot of different philosophies in there. He departed pretty heavily from Flip, almost to the same magnitude that Freddie did from Haley.
My biggest hope for him is that he instills systems on both sides of the ball that work to the strengths of our personnel. Outside of Freddie’s stint as OC, we have really struggled with that recently.
I’ve been rethinking the traits of head coaches recently. I feel like a lot of people (myself included) would look at the style of offense or defense that someone runs and associate that with whether they will make a good head coach. However, you have guys like Dick LeBeau, Steve Spagnuolo and Norv Turner. Great coordinator minds that can’t make it as HC. On the other side, you have guys like John Harbaugh. Not renown for their coordinating skills but they know how to lead, organize and manage both players and staffs, facilitating a stable environment. I feel like the Browns have fallen in the trap of equating schemes to head coaching merit.
Hopefully Stefanski is the one who comes in with a vision to maximize the potential of what we have, including both players and staff.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
I’ve been rethinking the traits of head coaches recently. I feel like a lot of people (myself included) would look at the style of offense or defense that someone runs and associate that with whether they will make a good head coach. However, you have guys like Dick LeBeau, Steve Spagnuolo and Norv Turner. Great coordinator minds that can’t make it as HC. On the other side, you have guys like John Harbaugh. Not renown for their coordinating skills but they know how to lead, organize and manage both players and staffs, facilitating a stable environment. I feel like the Browns have fallen in the trap of equating schemes to head coaching merit.
If I had to guess, those were the qualities Depo was looking for and how he sold Stefanski. My impression is that Stefanski was not hired for his coordinating. He was hired for his projection as a leader and his ability to do the things you mentioned. Otherwise, the Browns should have just gone with Saleh. He was the hot coordinator.
I'm not sure what being a really good coordinator tells us about someone's ability to be a good head coach but it seems to be a prerequisite of some sort. There's a lot of angst when a moderately successful coordinator or one with little to no experience is hired as a head coach.
LOL - The Rish will be upset with this news as well. KS just doesn't prioritize winning...
As always, a thoughtful and logical post. The last few years, I have been thinking about what makes a good head coach in the NFL. I agree w/you that it isn't about their offensive or defensive philosophies. I am almost positive that being a good OC or DC does not give you better odds of being a successful HC. I agree that it is important to be flexible enough to adapt your offensive and defensive philosophies to fit your personnel.
I've said play calling is overrated for many, many years. However, I do think that there are guys who can manipulate their play calls like building blocks. One play leads to another. Shanny was the best I have ever seen at that. Still is.
With that said, I think these traits are important for a HC in the NFL.
--Management: I think your position coaches are the teachers. Your coordinators the strategists. I think the HC should be the guy who can bring it all together. He doesn't have to be a great offensive or defensive mind. He has to know how to utilize his resources.
--Leader of Men: Some folks just naturally have been leadership qualities than others. People flock towards them and take them seriously. The leaders can possess different personality traits, such as passionate, calm, tough, soft-spoken, etc. The key is that they have to come across as legit or real. They have to build up that trust from other grown men.
--Establishing a positive culture: This is a tough one due to the team you are going to and the locker room you inherit. It is no surprise that long-time coaches like Belichick, Tomlin, Reid, Payton, have stable locker rooms and sustained success.
--Establishing and carrying out your vision: It's important to have a long-range plan and short-term goals that are checked and balanced w/benchmarks. It's important to have a plan that is both ambitious and realistic. You need to surround yourself w/quality people, such as your coordinators and position coaches. You then get them on-board w/your plan and entrust them, then give them enough power to do all the dirty work, while you oversee them all. I can think of no better example than Belichick and McDaniels.
--Quick thinker: This is important for making those snap decisions that we refer to as game management. No need to expound, because it's always a hot topic. LOL
--Media Manipulator: I hate saying/admitting this, but a HC in the NFL knows how to effectively use or block out the media. Belichick is the master of the latter. I think guys like Tomlin, Payton, Reid, Harbaugh, etc are guys who know how to schmooze w/the media and keep them on their good side.
Thanks Vers! I agree with everything you said. I feel like when we do a post mortem of our past coaches, things typically come out such as:
1. Players didn’t know what the plan during games was. 2. Morale was extremely low. 3. The coach played favorites. 4. Infighting. 5. Consistently bad game time decisions that get repeated.
I’m sure there are more too, but this flows with your list.
As an aside, did you hear Joe Thomas and Andrew Hawkins talk about Shanny on the Tomahawk podcast? There’s a ton they say about him, but the one thing that stood out to me was when they mentioned that most coordinators have a list of run plays and a list of pass plays. They vacillate between one or the other depending on success and frequency. They said Shanahan was a one sheet guy who strung it all together with a grand plan. Made me think back to the Titans comeback in ‘14 where he stuck with it and never abandoned the run. Pretty cool stuff.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
How was Saleh the hot coordinator .... the hot coordinator doesn’t end up a coordinator the following year ...
Hey Diam, you old so-and-so, have you been behaving around here while I’ve been out? I doubt it.
I don’t know if hot coordinator is the right wording, but he is one of those guys whose stock was low and then skyrocketed. Whether it’s justified or not, I have no idea. I will say those types of candidates are the ones who scare me most based upon our past HC hires and what I said above. If his defense does well again, I imagine he’ll get plucked. The funny thing is one of the guys who works for me is a huge Niners fan. He said that people last year (‘18) were calling for Saleh’s head. Now he’s an HC candidate. Funny how that works. There’s no denying that he had a TON of talent to work with, especially on that DL.
The HC hires this past offseason we’re interesting overall. You had lateral moves (Rivera, McCarthy) college to NFL moves (Rhule) and I think the Browns and Giants were the only ones (off the top of my head) who took coordinators and moved them to HC. I could be wrong, but I don’t get the Giants moves. Gettlemen is not someone I understand though. Again, I could be wrong...first time for everything, right?
Last edited by dawglover05; 05/16/2011:10 AM.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
Hopefully better organization and game planning. Less confusion and flying by the seat of their paints. And of course more wins.
If we do the things mentioned, wins will follow. We have the talent. We may not win the north, and this off season is screwy, so that has to restrict our ability to install, but we should be able to post up 8-9 wins on the minimum side of things.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn.
Some good posts here on coaching by Vers and dawglover.
When you look historically at the greats head coaches they seem to come in all different flavors.
Paul Brown the teacher and organizer who oversaw every aspect.
Lombardi the dictator. Pound fundamentals.
The cerebral Walsh. The quiet player coach Dungy.
No nonsense mastermind Belichick.
I have always been of the opinion that after a certain amount of time coaches know x's and o's. Football is not that complicated.
IMO you have to be organized. Especially today. Back when Paul Brown coached the staffs and time management was different. Today with all the demands and the number of people. You have to be organized and be able to delegate.
You have to be a great communicator. That is on every level staff, upper management, players, everybody.
You have to be able to command a room. When you speak you must have that leadership quality.
A head coach has to have that clear vision of how things must be done. A template to measure against. Practice has to go like this etc.
Game planning. Belichick has that in spades. He can map an opponent. Plan how to defend against them and how to attack them.
In game adjustment. Plans falter. You have to be able to adjust. I have great respect for Sean Payton. I think he is very good at this aspect of coaching.
Trust. It is not a given. It has to be earned. Players have to trust that you are preparing them to excel. That you can make them better. That they can believe you.
Respect goes hand in hand with trust. The players have to respect your knowledge. Respect your work habits and preparation.
There used to be a ladder the guys climbed before getting the opportunity to be a HC. Work your way from the bottom like going through the minor leagues. AAA the last level was coordinator. That is not the only path it seems today.
When you get your shot. You have to capitalize. You may never get another crack.
So far I like what I am hearing about KS. But at this point that doesn't mean a damn thing.
He got his chance just like a draft pick. Now you have to make it happen.
It’s interesting. I read an article today with commentary from Anthony Lynn. He said something along the lines of “Just because you call good plays doesn’t mean you can lead a team.” It resonated with a lot of what’s said on this thread. He mentioned trying to get away from the mindset of just looking at coordinators.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
I think Matt Nagy in Chicago is a good example of that. He was a bright mind as an OC. However, he has been a disaster w/the Bears. He refuses to tailor his offense around his qb and surrounding talent. He is maybe the worst game manager I have ever witnessed in the NFL. He's wasted time by trying to do things his way instead of taking advantage of that talented defense and managing games. Guy is terrible.
In reading through all the negative and positive thoughts of our NEW HC and the coaching staff. I was thinking of what I wanted to post and then I came across this post which is exactly what I wished to share with all.
Callahan is one of the most experienced coaches we have had here since 1999. I mean he has seen it all. NOTESNotes: Veteran coach Bill Callahan impressed with first-timer Kevin Stefanski’s leadership skills in difficult situationby Scott Petrak May 14, 2020
NOTESNotes: Veteran coach Bill Callahan impressed with first-timer Kevin Stefanski’s leadership skills in difficult situationby Scott Petrak May 14, 2020
I watched some film with our new OL men and there was a little bit where he just came out with it. He genuinely is impressed with SKI, that he actually has a PLAN for the entire team. O, D, Special teams and then the staff, etc. I'm sure he let Berry our new GM know exactly what he needed and wanted on this team and to be major pieces of the puzzle. So he goes out and gets Conklin the perfect fit we also go and draft the best O Lineman in this draft, Joe Thomas' words not mine. And a perfect OLman for our Scheme.
So yes, I know we as fans have to be cautious before we go all in, only because of our history. That doesn't mean that this young HC and GM that we have cannot be the answer we have been looking for. NOT the ego thing of power but of a symbiotic relationship of HC and GM and to have a plan...an Actual plan to install. Hopefully we have a lot of perfect pieces for the plan actually that is the best part of "TALENT" is that they are perfect for an array of PLANS! And we have probably assembled the best talent since our rebirth in 1999 to implement in a NEW PLAN. This is also the first draft class to come into this program. One thing I have seen about all these rookies - They all embrace the concept of WORKING HARD FOR A GOAL! Its a good character to be bringing into our program and its one to follow up on. Anyone who doesn't wish to work hard veteran, rookie etc. will not last on this team.
That I think is the biggest difference I see between SKI and Kitchens of last year.
Well just an observation and nobody can tell me that I DON'T know cause it hasn't happened yet and I have to wait and see.
Point is I do see it. If you do not see it that would not be MY PROBLEM that doesn't make it UNREALISTIC. It is real and until I see in effect players not buying into the plan wholesale then I will remain optimistic that we possible have the right mixture of HC and GM - FINALLY!
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
Good post, Eo. The team will feed off of the HC one way or the other. He seems to be doing it right, and seems Ok with Berry. I am encouraged; I do not think it is the kool-aid talking. But I hope you are right. He won't be distracted by Hard Knocks priorities.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
The only negative I see in this not working at a great success is the nuance of another CHANGE everything is new to all the players so that it might take a little time for all to start clicking in it. Especially when we take in consideration the trials and tribulations of the Corona Virus environment. Although things are starting to open up as the Middle Class is hurting and we already heard a Liberal Congressman state that they can "USE" this pandemic to get their SOCIALISM Programs in.
But a vast majority of Middle class want to work not take money from a government besides that has never worked anywhere as MONEY DO RUN OUT...
As I regress but I think Football is going to be back to normal pretty soon.
jmho
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
I am glad to what this thread has developed into...It is more of what I was hoping to get. I have been working quite a bit with this covid stuff going on and haven't had the chance to get back here...
I thought this was very relevant to the question and thought I would add this...from Terry Pluto
What can we expect from Cleveland Browns this season? How about less dumb football? Updated May 18, 2020; Posted May 17, 2020 PAINFUL TO PONDER It was hard to watch the Cleveland Browns last season as head coach Freddie Kitchens had lots of problems. Photo by John Kuntz / cleveland.comcleveland.com
354 shares By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer WILL WE LIKE THESE GUYS?
A year ago, the Browns were supposed to be a playoff team... at the very least.
Off-season trades for Odell Beckham Jr. and Olivier Vernon created sizzle for a team that went 5-3 in the last half of the 2018 season.
Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett and Beckham were national sports media stars.
Fans know what happened. The team finished 6-10. Rookie head coach Freddie Kitchens was overwhelmed. Veteran GM John Dorsey was fired, partly because he picked Kitchens as head coach.
The Browns came across as cocky and undisciplined.
Watching all of this was Browns Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta, who was against the hiring of Kitchens. Also paying attention from a distance were Andrew Berry (assistant GM in Philadelphia) and Kevin Stefanski (offensive coordinator in Minnesota).
None of these men will say it, but the 2019 Browns were exactly the kind of team they don’t want this year.
That’s why they seem serious about their “tough, smart, accountable” motto for the players. The guys they have drafted and signed as free agents fit that character profile.
There were several individual exceptions on the 2019 Browns, but as a team they didn’t come close to the “tough, smart, accountable" goal.
They opened the season by committing 18 penalties in a 43-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans. They led the NFL in penalties for much of the season, and ended up ranking No. 4 in that category.
They were No. 2 in false starts, a major indication of a team not paying attention to details such as snap counts or how to line up.
Perhaps their biggest victory was a 21-7 verdict over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 14. But it ended with the Myles Garrett brawl. That led to a six-game suspension for the Browns star. The Browns were 2-4 with Garrett out.
Too often, the team was a sideshow, with players firing off at coaches on the sidelines and discussions about Odell Beckham Jr. not seeing the ball often enough. As for trying to score a TD from inside the 5-yard line, you’d have thought the Browns were attempting to scale Mount Everest in their bare feet and a swim suit.
The 2018 Browns (in the final eight games) were one of the favorite teams to watch since the franchise returned in 1999. That team had discipline, played with heart and a sense of purpose.
They went from committing nearly nine penalties a game under former coach Hue Jackson to slightly over six when Gregg Williams took over as interim head coach. Those stats matter.
In 2019, the Browns were the least enjoyable team to watch since the 1999 return because of all the penalties, agendas and painfully poor coaching. I get a headache thinking about them.
MORE DISCIPLINE NEEDED Myles Garrett brawled with Mason Rudolph and the Steelers. Photo by John Kuntz / cleveland.comcleveland.com
SOME BASIC EXPECTATIONS
Cleveland.com recently ran a story about three ESPN “experts” not buying the 2020 Browns as a playoff team.
Fine with me.
I also believe the front office and coaching staff prefer it that way... keep the hype down.
For much of the 2019 season, Kitchens said the Browns were a “group” and not “a team.”
That’s one thing Kitchens had right.
And it’s one of the major goals for Stefanski and his coaching staff.
CUT OUT THE GARBAGE!
They may not say it quite in those words, but Browns fans know the difference between solid and sloppy football. What they had to endure last season (even in some victories) was agonizing to watch because of some of the mindless football on the field.
We’ll see if Stefanski can change it. He is a rookie head coach. No matter how many savvy virtual mini-camp practices he holds, they don’t come close to having actual players on the field to learn the new offense and defense.
Will the 37-year-old Stefanski have the respect of the players to turn them into a more disciplined team. We have no track record of him as a head coach, but that is the goal.
The credibility of Kitchens was hurt last season because there was a feeling on the team and elsewhere that he got the job because of his relationship with Baker Mayfield. That made it seem as if a QB in his second pro season had far too much influence on the organization.
Stefanski has a different role. He doesn’t owe his job to Mayfield. Rather, it’s his job to fix the QB in terms of throwing techniques, footwork and the mental approach to the game.
Mayfield should have been humbled by what happened last season, when he was among the NFL’s lowest-ranked QBs in nearly every important category.
So what should we look for? More discipline and organization from the team, and improvement from Mayfield.
OLD-TIME FOOTBALL APPROACH
While the Andrew Berry front office is analytics driven in some respects, the moves they made show an appreciation for what has always won games.
I’m talking about the offensive line.
Profootballfocus.com (PFF) has rated the Browns as having the NFL’s “most improved offensive line.” PFF said the combination of 2019 tackles Greg Robinson and Chris Hubbard ranked 30th out of 32 teams for those positions.
You can argue some of PFF’s data, but common sense and watching the games revealed the major problems the Browns had at tackle.
Robinson was suspended for a game when he kicked an opposing player in the head. After the season, he was arrested in Texas with 157 pounds of marijuana in his SUV. One bag had 23 Mason jars sealed with marijuana.
The Browns are counting on rookie Jedrick Wills from Alabama to take over at left tackle. They signed Jack Conklin to a three-year, $42-million deal to play right tackle. They hired veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan to put the line in order.
We’ll see if it works, but those are the moves a team makes when it’s serious about repairing the offensive line.
ABOUT THE BROWNS
1. I hear the Browns believe Wyatt Teller has a chance to be a respectable right guard. That’s especially true because he’ll be playing between veteran center JC Tretter and right tackle Conklin.
2. Another candidate is Drew Forbes, the 2019 sixth-round pick from Southeast Missouri State. He was moving up the depth chart when he suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game. He played briefly on special teams near the end of the season. Between Forbes and Teller, the Browns should be able to plug the right guard spot with a player who can grow into the position.
3. I was intrigued with the two undrafted running backs signed by the Browns. The first is Brian Herrien from Georgia. The Bulldogs keep sending running backs to the NFL. Herrien was mostly a backup, but played behind terrific starters.
4. The other is Benny LeMay, a 5-foot-8, 220-pounder from UNC-Charlotte. That’s Larry Ogunjobi’s school. LeMay has the low center of gravity and strong legs and balance that I like. The backups to starters Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are D’Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard. Either (or both) could lose their job to a promising newcomer.
5. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein on LeMay: “Short but stout with a frame and demeanor to handle the physicality of the position. LeMay has a tendency to get bogged down when a clear point of entry isn’t right in front of him, but as a runner, he possesses the acceleration, contact balance and toughness teams desire.... seventh round or priority free agent."
6. The Browns have been blessed because they haven’t had many injuries to running backs in the last few years. But backs do get hurt. Because running backs can be found low in the draft (or undrafted), it’s fun to look a someone such as LeMay and think, “He’s interesting.”
7. In the last two seasons, LeMay averaged 5.2 yards per carry, gaining 2,325 yards and rushing for 20 TDs. He also caught 40 passes in that span.
8. Undrafted free agents don’t receive much guaranteed money. For example, Princeton QB Kevin Davidson received $17,500 from the Browns. Herrien is guaranteed $40,000 while LeMay received $30,000. These numbers come from overthecap.com.
9. Oklahoma State defensive back A.J. Green received the largest guarantee from the Browns: $145,000. No. 2 at $65,000 is receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley, a 6-foot-1, 195-pounder from Louisiana-Lafayette. He caught 60 passes (10 TDs), averaging 15.1 yards per catch. He wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine.
10. This from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: “Overall, Bradley has only average size, speed and strength and might have trouble uncovering vs. NFL-level cornerbacks, but his dependable ball skills and concentration give him a legitimate chance to make a pro roster.”
I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken...
What's the use of wearing your lucky rocketship underpants if nobody wants to see them????
I think Matt Nagy in Chicago is a good example of that. He was a bright mind as an OC. However, he has been a disaster w/the Bears. He refuses to tailor his offense around his qb and surrounding talent. He is maybe the worst game manager I have ever witnessed in the NFL. He's wasted time by trying to do things his way instead of taking advantage of that talented defense and managing games. Guy is terrible.
Yeah man, I agree. The way he handles and treats his players I also think is an indictment of his leadership skills. I think he’s on borrowed time.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
As I said elsewhere, being organized is probably more important than being a great X's and O's guy.
Well, we don't have to look far to find proof of concept. When a company needs to re-organize, they don't always bring in someone who is in expert in whatever good or service that company provides. They focus on efficiency, logistics, unification under clearly stated mission statements, correct personnel, etc.
I don't think the mantra of "Tough, Smart, and Accountable" is an accident, and I don't think their order is random either.
Tough players, physically and mentally, will be able to endure change
Smart players will be able to adapt efficiently and effectively to those changes
Accountable players will take ownership of their contributions and increase the chances those changes are successful.
I don't know, at least I see those as one feeding in to the next.
There's been some great commentary posted from some Dawgs about why we as fans have this tendency to assume that a great OC/DC will make a great HC. On the surface I think it simply appears as the next logical step in their progression. Clearly they've been successful all along, it's hard to come up with any tangible reasons as to why they might not succeed. Take for example an OC who coaches a team through a magnificent playoff run and a Super Bowl victory. When they are held as a candidate for a HC position, of course you have the standard questions about if they have the organizational skills to be successful. But that's a focus on the unknown and easy. But it's much harder to look at a guy with that kind of success and articulate specific reasons as to why they would NOT be a good HC.
So in the absence of anything contradictory, all we really are left with is an assumption that lies between a pre-determined "He'll be the Greatest!" and that Neutral "wait and see".
"Hey, I'm a reasonable guy. But I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." -Jack Burton
-It looks like the Harvard Boys know what they are doing after all.
There have been a number of videos like the one I"m including here. All showing tape of the Vikings under Stephanski and projecting how these plays or similar plays will look in Cleveland. I liked the commentary so I'm adding it for Dawgs to consider the implications for the Browns.
I would just make one correction. The guy says something about whether we have 7 or 8 OL active on gamedays .... well, with the roster size changes, teams must keep 8 OL active on gamedays.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
1. Was the zone blocking thing Stefanski's or Kubiak's?
2. The guy talks about how Minni can exploit the NY defense because they were in nickel and have 2 high safeties. Yet, most folks are happy that we are going to be playing nickel and dime packages a high percentage of the time.
Just things to think about if you are a thinking-type person.
Stefanski said that if he ever got a head coaching job he would run the Shanahan/Kubiak system. I think last year with the Vikings was mostly him with a bit of guidance from Kubiak. It remains to be seen whether or not he can implement the scheme when Kubiak is not around.
On question 1. I think whether it was Kubiak or Stefanski is splitting hairs. Stefanski freely admits that he relied on Kubiak. He is a student of Kubiak. Honestly I don't know the answer. I do think Stefanski is capable of taking what he learned and applying it for the Browns.
On question 2. I actually had the same thought cross my mind while watching the video. I don't think we know a great deal about Woods' scheme. I think we knew more about Wilks' defense at the same point last year. The Nickle alignment is used throughout the league. So somebody is running it successfully. I don't think it's simply a matter of whether Nickle is good or bad. Ultimately the question is do the Browns have players whose abilities will be successful in that defensive package?
A bit of background, bro...................Last year, Zimmer said that hiring Kubiak was the best hire he ever made. Just something to ponder while considering what we are talking about.
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