Good news, another offensive mind can’t hurt. Kevin’s playcalling seems to run feast or famine a little too much for my liking. Kevin worked under him so the familiarity is there. I really like our system as it is well tested and proven. I think we become too predictable, too often especially in the second half of the season. Maybe his opinions and input can help unlock some chunk plays that just have not been there in the passing game.
Musgrave, Bubba, and Schwartz these are some big pulls in one offseason.. No excuses at this point. These guy are usually at the top for any unit they coach. I'm curious to see what Musgrave's role is. He's probably a guy that Stefanski would hand off playcalling to if he did it.
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
Stefanski, AVP, Musgrave and the new QB coach - who knows how it will jibe, but it seems like we're giving Watson every single opportunity and support to make it work sooner rather than later. I like it.
As falls our ability to score, so falls our ability to score.
Maybe we won't have to have "do or die " discussions about run defense, broken coverages or punt returns if we can put up similar points as the AFCs best.
I agree w/you about how good the hires are. I don't think Stef relinquishes play calling duties and I hope he doesn't. But, that's just me.
I agree, I don't understand how people can't understand that he doesn't want someone else controlling his destiny ... At the same time he doesn't have that safety net for a fall guy either.
I agree w/you about how good the hires are. I don't think Stef relinquishes play calling duties and I hope he doesn't. But, that's just me.
I agree, I don't understand how people can't understand that he doesn't want someone else controlling his destiny ... At the same time he doesn't have that safety net for a fall guy either.
Agree. There is a zero percent chance Stefanski relinquishes play calling duty, nor should he. The reason he was hired was because of his play calling. Aside from the money, Stefanski's offensive design was a reason Watson came to Cleveland.
It's not even about a fall guy at this point. If the Browns do not make this playoffs this year, there are likely wholesale changes to the coaching staff barring crazy extenuating circumstances, i.e., Watson shreds his ACL in week one.
Giving up play calling duty is the low hanging fruit I expect to hear from someone like Tony Grossi.
If anything, I believe Stefanski learned it became necessary surround himself with a more experienced, proven staff.
I dont believe he will either, I was just stating, the only scenario that would happen would be a guy like Bill who is proven to be good and Stefanski has a prior working relationship. Someone he trusts and has same vision. But to Milk's point about watson, i thinit was 100% about the money.. it could have been Mo Carthon still here and watson isn't turning down the largest nfl guaranteed contract in history..lol. To your point about playoffs.. I believe unless we have some catastrophic injury to someone key. If we don't make the playoffs this year, this whole staff is gone, from Berry down. We can't keep waiting around to see if they finally get it. It doesn't work like that anymore.
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
Stefanski, AVP, Musgrave and the new QB coach - who knows how it will jibe, but it seems like we're giving Watson every single opportunity and support to make it work sooner rather than later. I like it.
AVP's communication with DW is critical to the offense. AVP has been a quarterback and a QB coach. When they are in offensive meetings going over plays and game plans. There is a direct link from qb to OC about the offense. When AVP speaks to DW about qb execution and reads there is no miscommunication. There is only one voice. AVP can spot any type of technique or throwing mechanics that may need some work. Stefanski has been a qb coach.
We got a lot of cooks in the kitchen. Now, do they have the player ingredients? Or the draft capital or trade capital to plug the holes and make upgrades? I'm half excited. I just wish DW had finished playing this season at a high level, and then I could get excited.
Last edited by OldColdDawg; 02/27/2308:52 AM.
Your feelings and opinions do not add up to facts.
Stefanski, AVP, Musgrave and the new QB coach - who knows how it will jibe, but it seems like we're giving Watson every single opportunity and support to make it work sooner rather than later. I like it.
Of all the stats we attempt to analyze this one must improve if the Browns are serious about contending. Just look at where the Super Bowl opponents rank in Red Zone Scoring.
Data shows that Amari Cooper is still a number one wide receiver
Jacob Roach February 27, 2023 10:24 am ET
Wins above replacement is one of the better stats in the NFL to show any individual player’s impact on the team overall. It shows the defense between top players in the position vs those that are just minor contributors. Amari Cooper found himself 12th on the list in 2022 providing 1.43 total wins above replacement for the Cleveland Browns last season.
Fans and media wanted to argue if Cooper was still an elite player and a number one wide receiver when the Browns traded for him last March. These numbers and the tape show that the team made the right move to add Cooper and if Watson returns to form in 2023 the offense will be fun to watch.
Your OPOY, Justin Jefferson, clearly showed how valuable he is to the Vikings as the best WR in the league. pic.twitter.com/lhVl876XUG
Vers thanks for the post. If we can get another WR that can be a legit deep threat and by that I mean not only speed but a good route runner and can catch the ball, we would have a very good WR group with AC, DPJ, Bell and maybe someone else can step up. The weaknesses we have are solvable with the right moves and it could take one draft and one FA period to do it.
Actually what Stefnaski was more known for was his success working with QB's. He made Cousins look like the golden child.
He had only been the OC for the last three games of the 2018 season as the interim OC and named the full time OC for the 2019 season with the Vikings when he was hired by the Browns.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Of all the stats we attempt to analyze this one must improve if the Browns are serious about contending. Just look at where the Super Bowl opponents rank in Red Zone Scoring.
What I’m hearing about latest Browns coaching changes on offense – Terry Pluto
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my Browns notebook:
1. On Sunday, I gave readers an inside look at how the Browns changed defensive and special teams coordinators. As happens with many NFL teams when there are disappointing seasons, the head coach (if he keeps his job) is pushed to make some major changes to his coaching staff.
2. Kevin Stefanski replaced defensive coordinator Joe Woods with Jim Schwartz. Special teams coach Mike Priefer was replaced by Bubba Ventrone. But the Browns now are working on the offense and coaching staff.
3. Bottom line: What they’ve seen from the way Stefanski was handling the head coach/play calling duties showed some problems in the last two seasons. The Browns will never say it, but they had to be disappointed with how Deshaun Watson performed in the final six games when he came off his 11-game suspension.
4. Yes, Watson hadn’t played since his 2020 Pro Bowl season. Yes, it was 700 days between regular season games for him. Yes, he was coming into the season with 2/3rds of the games gone. But he also practiced with the team in mini-camps and training camp. And he played six games, not just one or two.
5. Watson completed 58.2% of his passes – ranking 34th among QBs. His QB rating was 79.1, also 34th. He threw 7 TD passes compared to 5 interceptions. With the exception of the second half of the 24-10 Browns victory in Washington when Watson threw three TD passes, there was very little spark in most games played by Cleveland’s big ticket acquisition at QB.
6. Enter Bill Musgrave, as “senior offensive assistant.” Alex Van Pelt takes over as full time QB coach. Stefanski will keep calling the plays and basically serve as his own offensive coordinator. Musgrave comes in to help find a way to add some juice and sizzle to the offense that was alarmingly bland when Watson took over.
7. A top NFL source told me the Browns view Musgrave “as an experienced and diverse mind when it comes to offense ... he’s a big picture guy, very creative.”
8. Musgrave is 55. He has been an offensive coordinator for 10 seasons in the NFL with five different teams. He was offensive coordinator in Minnesota from 2011-13 when Stefanski was a young coach on the Vikings staff. So they have a previous relationship. Musgrave spent the last three seasons at California-Berkeley as offensive coordinator/QB coach.
9. As the Browns looked at the offense under Watson, they saw lots of missed opportunities. They believe he would be more effective running the ball. They also believed he never could find much rhythm in the passing game, and some no-huddle options could help that. It worked in the past with Watson in Houston.
10. The pressure is on to get it right with Watson. That starts with coaching. The Browns added an experienced defensive coordinator in Schwartz. Now, it’s Musgrave who will be a key part of game planning and finding ways to add more flavor and options to the offense.
11. The Browns decided not to change the head coach. But the emphasis was adding and upgrading the entire coaching staff, where it seemed a lack of experience hurt in some areas. Van Pelt is still valued. They consider him a very good coaching working 1-on-1 with QBs. He developed a good relationship with Watson.
12. Quick Opinion: I like what the Browns have done with their coaching staff. Ventrone and Schwartz have a history of recent success. Musgrave brings experience and hopefully some new ideas to the offense. At least, they didn’t just say, “All Kevin needs is another year with Watson.” No, more than that is required to shape up the QB.
Good read and I'm sure all valid. At least there is much effort being made to improve. Our window of opportunity is now and our FO and ownership definitely sees it. That's why changes have been made.
I actually agree with not only the changes the Browns made at these coaching positions but who they hired to fill them. And yes, from watching all of the moves the Browns have made and influx of investments they have made, they are showing a sense of urgency in winning and winning now. I believe if 2023 does not prove to be a very good season more heads will roll.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I think Pluto is great at writing about basketball. His book about the ABA was awesome. I think he is good at writing about baseball, as well. I just don't read much about baseball anymore. I don't think he has much of a grasp about football, though. I think writing about it came w/his latest job change. Check this comment out.
Quote
Bottom line: What they’ve seen from the way Stefanski was handling the head coach/play calling duties showed some problems in the last two seasons.
I am not sure that is true. It is also short-sighted. He goes on to point out negatives about Watson's play last year and pretty much dismisses some of the possible reasons why Watson played poorly. He did not even factor in the "weather" games that used to be such a huge deal when evaluating our qb. He also completely ignored how well that Jacoby played in Stefanski's offense. He played far, far better than he had previously w/other teams and coaches. He did not mention the top 10 finish in offensive efficiency and that it was ranked 6th overall when JB left the lineup. It was actually ranked higher than that at times this season. He did not mention how much better Baker played w/him than he did before Stefanski got here and how poorly Baker played after leaving Stefanski. I know a little about offensive football, and I think our offense is creative, has a strong identity, runs smoothly when the clock becomes a factor, etc.
We are all entitled to our opinions and I am not asking anyone to agree w/me. But, that is what I think of the article.
This would be an excellent hire if the Browns can pull it off.
Could Dennard Wilson still join the Browns after interviewing for DC?
Cory Kinnan February 27, 2023 10:45 am ET
The Cleveland Browns brought in the current defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dennard Wilson, for an interview when they were searching for a new defensive coordinator. While he did not get the job and the Browns instead hired Jim Schwartz, the door is not shut for him to join the staff in Cleveland.
According to Jared Mueller of Dawgs by Nature, Wilson could still be on the Browns’ radar as they look to replace Jeff Howard as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. The Eagles have been interviewing external candidates galore since Jonathan Gannon was hired by the Arizona Cardinals, and this may not be sitting well with Wilson.
If he does not get the defensive coordinator gig with the Eagles, similar to Bubba Ventrone getting passed up for interim head coach in Indianapolis, this could cause Wilson to look elsewhere. And he has a link to Cleveland.
Ian Rapoport Retweeted Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo · The #Browns will release S John Johnson III at the start of the league year on March 15, barring a trade, sources say. Johnson was entering the final year of a three-year contract he signed as a free agent in 2021.
Still young at 27, he’ll have interest once free.
Dumbfounded by this move if accurate. This only saves the Browns $900,000 in cap space and the team will be charged 12.6M against the 2023 cap because of all the prorated bonus they used on Johnson. Why would you cut a guy for a savings of $900,000, get nothing in return, and be left holding the bag for 12.6M?
Many expected Johnson to be traded or cut this offseason, as he's entering the final year of his three-year contract which carries a base salary of $8.75 million in 2023, per Spotrac. If Johnson is released with a June 1 designation, the Browns will save $9.75 million with a dead hit of only $3.75 million, per Cleveland.com.
Many expected Johnson to be traded or cut this offseason, as he's entering the final year of his three-year contract which carries a base salary of $8.75 million in 2023, per Spotrac. If Johnson is released with a June 1 designation, the Browns will save $9.75 million with a dead hit of only $3.75 million, per Cleveland.com.
Correct except the Browns will then take an 8.85M cap hit in 2024 for Johnson. No matter how you cut it, releasing Johnson is going to cost the Browns 12.6M in cap charges due to the kicking of the can down the road whether they pay it all this year or split it with a post June 1 cut date.
Last edited by steve0255; 02/28/2304:15 PM. Reason: spelling
This would be an excellent hire if the Browns can pull it off.
Could Dennard Wilson still join the Browns after interviewing for DC?
Cory Kinnan February 27, 2023 10:45 am ET
The Cleveland Browns brought in the current defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dennard Wilson, for an interview when they were searching for a new defensive coordinator. While he did not get the job and the Browns instead hired Jim Schwartz, the door is not shut for him to join the staff in Cleveland.
According to Jared Mueller of Dawgs by Nature, Wilson could still be on the Browns’ radar as they look to replace Jeff Howard as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. The Eagles have been interviewing external candidates galore since Jonathan Gannon was hired by the Arizona Cardinals, and this may not be sitting well with Wilson.
If he does not get the defensive coordinator gig with the Eagles, similar to Bubba Ventrone getting passed up for interim head coach in Indianapolis, this could cause Wilson to look elsewhere. And he has a link to Cleveland.
Will he receive the title: Assistant to the Assistant Head Coach? 😀
I don't know much about him, but I'll take all the experience Jimmy's wallet will provide. His players certainly outwardly endorse him for DC in Philly.
Ian Rapoport Retweeted Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo · The #Browns will release S John Johnson III at the start of the league year on March 15, barring a trade, sources say. Johnson was entering the final year of a three-year contract he signed as a free agent in 2021.
Still young at 27, he’ll have interest once free.
Dumbfounded by this move if accurate.
if you watched his game film... you would know why he got cut.
Dude was out there making business decision tackles after week 5.
Blocking those who argue to argue, eliminates the argument.
We are surrounding Watson with as much support, wisdom and help as possible for the next 2, maybe 3 years. Then, who knows what staff will be surrounding him if we don't make a deep playoff run before 2025.
I like what we're doing to support him.
But the window, as with most other teams, is closing more quickly than I like to think - especially with the remaining offensive weapons we have around him in a couple of years.
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