BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Considering there isn’t a meaningful game until September, the NFL’s offseason program can be long and monotonous, but Kevin Stefanski is hoping his basketball hoop will spice things up for his players.
Stefanski’s hoop, which was on the patio outside the Browns locker room, was moved to the practice fields Wednesday where players lined up for a game of Knockout following the OTA session.
“It is out there to watch Anthony Walker brick shot after shot,” Stefanski joked while trying to hold back his own laughter.
After watching the 2021 season fall apart for a variety of reasons, including team camaraderie within the locker room, Stefanski hopes allowing his players to have some non-football fun outside of practice will pay off this fall.
“It is amazing how much these guys love to shoot hoops. They just love it,” Stefanski said. “They do not care that it is on the grass, or they do not care if the rim is bent, and it is an old basket. They just love that. Part of what that is No. 1 is have fun but No. 2 just competing.
“Just to watch these guys compete, it is just such a pillar of what we are trying to do here.”
Stefanski brought the basket with him to Cleveland from Minnesota for his family.
“When we moved out here, I was living in these condos over here so we got that hoop delivered to the condos two years ago,” Stefanski said.
“COVID times [hit] so we brought the basket and had it here in the parking lot so me and the kids would come over and shoot when we were living over here.
Aside from not doing anything that could lead to anyone getting hurt, Stefanski had one request for his guys – especially Walker.
“Don’t break it,” Stefanski said.
Who’s No. 2 – For weeks fans and media have been clamoring for the Browns to add a veteran receiver to pair with Amri Cooper, but the Browns have yet to do it, instead opting to give as many reps to their younger guys.
Donovan Peoples-Jones enters his third season, Anthony Schwartz his second while rookie and third-round pick David Bell is expected to provide some form of immediate impact.
“I do not know what it says [but we’re] comfortable with those guys,” Stefanski said. “Comfortable with that room. Like we have mentioned before, we have a bunch of guys who can play different roles for us and have played good football for us so feel good about that room.”
Slot machine – Greg Newsome II spent quite a bit of time working in the slot at corner Wednesday while Greedy Williams was outside opposite of Denzel Ward.
Following the trade of Troy Hill and departure of M.J.
Stewart in free agency, Newsome looks to be the odds-on favorite to be called upon to hold down the nickel spot this fall, which is fine with the 2021 first round pick.
“I’ll be able to be around the ball a lot more so I’m definitely liking the inside,” Newsome said. “I’s going to be fun. I think I’ll be able to make some more plays, get some sacks, things like that so I’m definitely embracing that new role.”
Stefanski explained why he likes the idea of Newsome moving inside.
“Intelligence is a premium when you are there because you have to be able to fit the runs, you have to be able to pressure, play man and play zone,” Stefanski said. “He is a smart player. He is physically built to play inside or outside. He is somebody who we will continue to work in there and really among a bunch of different guys who will work in there.”
Belief in Baker – Baker Mayfield is staying away from OTAs while he remains in limbo and the Browns try, and fail, to trade him but Nick Chubb is confident no matter where Mayfield ends up he will thrive.
“100 percent. I know Baker,” Chubb said. “His attitude, his intensity, wherever he goes. It’ll be on. He’ll be ready.”
Mayfield went first overall in 2018 and Chubb was picked in the second round – 35th overall by the Browns.
“Me and Baker came in together, so we’ve always been close,” Chubb said. “That won’t change at all. He’ll still be one of my best friends.
He’s a great person overall, so those things won’t change at all.”
Kickin’ it – With uprights unavailable for the time being in Berea as the new sod on the front practice fields continues to grow in and work continues around the facility, rookie kicker Cade York is getting his work in at FirstEnergy Stadium.
“We are going to get down there quite a bit with our battery with our holders, our long snapper and Cade,” Stefanski said. “He will get some opportunities to work out here. Just a normal course of getting comfortable in our stadium and have to get comfortable out here. We will have plenty of opportunities to kick out here, as well.”
Roll call – Defensive end Myles Garrett, left guard Joel Bitonio, right tackle jack Conklin and tight end David Njoku were the most notable players not on the field Wednesday.
“I think that is kind of filed under this is voluntary,” Stefanski said. “We never intimated that it is anything but voluntary. The guys that are here get good work out here with the coaches but that is how we will operate.”
For a voluntary program, players have taken it upon themselves to show up and participate coming off a disappointing season in the hopes that it will pay off this season.
“I think it says the team has bought in,” Chubb said. “We want to win. We want to change how things were in the past. For everybody to come back, that says a lot.”
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