BREAKING: Kevin Stefanski addresses the Browns offensive concerns.
As the Browns prepare for their Week 6 showdown against an Eagles club coming off a bye week, head coach Kevin Stefanski is determined to address the offensive and defensive faults that have resulted in a 1-4 record.
“Starting our work week for the Eagles,” Stefanski stated on Wednesday. “Obviously, a good football team, with excellent coaching on all three sides of the ball. Players at all levels of the roster are good. So we need a good week of preparation for this one, and we’re getting started in that direction.”
Here are the top news and observations for Week 6.
Offensive problems are indicative of a lack of execution.
QB Deshaun Watson is ranked 28th among NFL quarterbacks, with a 74.8 passing rating, a 60.2 percent completion percentage, and 26 sacks, eight more than any other quarterback.
Stefanski stated that Watson’s troubles this season are the product of poor execution by all 11 players on the field.
“When it comes to pass protection, I think I’ve told you guys this before, it’s not just the offensive line,” Stefanski pointed out. “It could definitely be your running backs and tight ends. It’s possible that you weren’t playing on time in the throw game, which is why your receiver isn’t getting open. So, without a doubt, it’s an area where we need to improve, and I believe Deshaun knows and is motivated to doing so as well.”
Stefanski was asked about the Browns’ troubles in the red zone against the Commanders, including a sequence in which the Browns reached the Washington 2-yard line only to be backed up by a penalty and a sack, forcing them to settle for a field goal.
Watson was sacked after connecting twice with WR Amari Cooper for 28 yards, followed by two consecutive incompletions.
“There are clearly plays that Deshaun wants back. There are several calls I’d like to return. “That happens during a game,” Stefanski explained. “We just have to do our best from a coaching perspective, from a player’s perspective, to execute what’s out there.”
Evaluating rookie G Zak Zinter
With RG Wyatt Teller placed on the injured reserve list in Week 3, Zak Zinter, the Browns’ 2024 third-round pick, has taken over as the team’s starting right guard.
Zinter has faced some of the NFL’s greatest interior defensive lineman this season, including Raiders DT Christian Wilkins, Commanders Jonathan Allen, and Daron Payne.
According to Pro Football Focus, Zinter has allowed two sacks and committed one penalty this season. PFF given him an overall player grade of 47.4.
“I believe he is continuing to improve,” Stefanski said. “I believe he is a young player competing against very elite players, but he has had some good moments. And I believe that, like any young player, you must learn from everything, from the good and bad, and focus on technique above all else.
Veteran LG Joel Bitonio has worked closely with Zinter as he makes his way in the NFL. Bitonio recognized last week that Zinter has had a difficult draw with the slew of defensive tackles he has already faced, but praised his work attitude.
“I joked with him that it’s a little tough start for the defensive tackles he has to face early in his career,” Bitonio said on Thursday, Oct. 3. “But he’s so focused and he’s working hard.”
On Sunday, Zinter and the Browns will face Eagles defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, continuing the gauntlet of interior defensive linemen.
Carter got six sacks and eight tackles for loss as a rookie last season, while Davis contributed 2.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.
“I would tell you they’re very, very powerful,” Stefanski said. “Powerful and disruptive, right in the middle of the pocket in the pass game, right in the middle of what you’re doing in the run game. So, they do a very nice job schematically of having those guys attack and they’re just big, physical football players.”
Injury updates
Several Browns returned to practice on Wednesday, including rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr., Maurice Hurst II, and linebacker Mohamoud Diabate. Hurst and Diabate were among the few people that participated.
Hall returned to practice for the first time since serving a five-game suspension put in place by the NFL for an incident occurring during training camp. Hurst and Diabate were placed on the injured reserve list in Week 1 and had their 21-day practice windows opened on Wednesday. They must be returned to the active roster before the 21 days have passed, or they will remain on the reserve list for the remainder of the season.
Stefanski said he would need to see Hall as well as the other returning players practice before determining whether they would be active for Sunday’s game.
“I need to see him practice. A lot of these guys, for Mike, it will be the first time practicing. So, just want to see him this week before we make any determinations,” Stefanski said.
RB Nick Chubb, who returned to practice last Wednesday for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 2 of the 2023 season, is progressing “naturally,” according to Stefanski. They will assess Chubb’s development on a “day-to-day” basis.
TE David Njoku missed Wednesday’s practice after returning to the field against the Commanders in Week 5. He missed three games due to an ankle injury received in week one. DE Myles Garrett, who played last week but has been dealing with lower body issues, was also not on the practice field on Wednesday.
T Jack Conklin was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. Conklin suffered a “minor setback” prior to the Browns’ Week 3 game against the Giants, according to Stefanski, and is “working hard to make it this week.”
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