‘We have to be at our best on Sunday’ – Kevin Stefanski on hosting the Bears, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Denzel Ward, and more: Transcript
BEREA, Ohio — The Browns will face the Bears on Sunday without a number of key players. They just keep getting hit with injuries and go into the game shorthanded at a number of positions.
Mary Kay Cabot, Ashley Bastock and Dan Labbe talk through all the injuries the Browns are dealing with as they get ready to play this game, starting with the shakeup at the safety position as they are prepared to start two undrafted free agents in the game.
They also discuss some of the questionable players, including Denzel Ward and Anthony Walker Jr., and discuss how the Browns will replace some of their starters.
“Good week of preparation and we need one because this is a great challenge for us playing this football team, 3-1 in their last four. I think they’re playing really well. Ton of respect for Coach (Matt) Eberflus and his staff, a bunch of good players. So, we have to be at our best on Sunday and we’re looking forward to getting down there, looking forward to being in front of our fans. They’ve made a huge, huge difference in these ball games and I expect that this week as well. And with that, I’ll take any questions.”
With both of your starting safeties out for this game. Just what’s the outlook there?
“Yeah, there’s some guys that we trust back there, Mary Kay (Cabot), that have given us good reps. We have different options and combinations that we can work through. But bottom line is that’s why these guys work so hard throughout training camp, throughout the season to stay ready because you never know when your number is going to be called.”
Are you hoping that Ogbo (Okoronkwo) could come back?
“We are, yeah. No final confirmation just yet.”
How has Denzel (Ward) progressed?
“Yeah, I think he continues to progress every single day. I think he’s getting better. We’ll use the next 48 hours to see whether he can make it.”
Anthony (Walker Jr.) was added as questionable, something come up?
“Yeah, something came up. Tweaked something. But we’ll see how he does over the next – again, we’ll see how it goes.”
And then how about Nick (Harris)? How does he fill in for you at center now? He’s obviously going to start this game.
“We talked about Nick this week. He’s a guy that we trust. We’ve won with Nick. We know what it’s like with him in there. He plays at a high level, plays really hard, smart player. So we have a lot of trust in him. His teammates have a lot of trust in him. As you know, you’re right in the center of it all and he does a great job leading that because there’s so much communication that takes place there. So, you really don’t miss a beat when it comes to communication.”
Practice time is hard to develop players that aren’t getting the game reps in that, but a lot of players as we spoke about just how prepared these guys are as they step in. Just from your perspective, why have some of these back end players been so adept at stepping in these roles when they’ve been called upon?
“Yeah, I think that’s the NFL making sure the backups, especially the young guys, are aware that you’re in that game in a flash of an eye sometimes. And sometimes you get a heads up during the week that you might have a chance. Sometimes it’s the second play of the game and you’re in there. So really the messaging is always to stay ready because you just don’t know when your opportunity is going to come. And then I think the guys work very hard with their coaches. I think they work hard in the meeting room, work hard out there on the field, work extra because there’s no secret or there’s no special way just to get it. It’s going to take time, it’s going to take individual drills and I think the guys understand that.”
Does the menu get bigger for Joe now that he’s in start three? Can you add more to his plate as it goes on?”I think you can. You’re always cognizant of what all of your players can handle, not just the quarterback. But I think to your point, Scott (Petrak), we’re learning more about him. He’s learning about us. And those types of conversations happen each week about things that he’s done in his past that he’s comfortable with and that are close to what we’ve done. It’s hard to totally revamp with a player this late, but I think you’re constantly having that communication throughout the week.”
