Browns trainer Kevin Stefanski’s seat is getting hotter.
His play-calling choices that experience invited second-guessing value the Browns (2-2) in either one of their losses, together with Sunday’s 23-20 setback at Atlanta.
Continuing issues of blown coverages on protection and blunders on particular groups, the latter stored to a relative minimal in opposition to the Falcons save for Ronnie Harrison downing a punt one jump too soon, are in the end Stefanski’s accountability. He employed coordinators Joe Woods and Mike Priefer and their bond runs deep, Stefanski spending 8 years with each throughout his 14 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Against a workforce they will have to have crushed in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Browns’ gadgets have been the extra undisciplined, committing seven consequences for 51 yards to the Falcons’ one for 15 yards.
The Browns’ gauntlet starts when the Los Angeles Chargers discuss with Sunday. The Browns have performed the fourth-easiest agenda within the league, in keeping with ESPN’s Football Power Index, however now face the second-toughest stretch of video games sooner than December, with 5 fighters within the FPI’s best 8.
A season that hinged on a 3-1 start turns out destined for a rocky street. The query is whether or not it’s going to be past saving by the point beginning quarterback Deshaun Watson is scheduled to go back from NFL suspension on Dec. 4 following allegations of sexual misconduct in 24 civil proceedings.
Considering the unpredictable hirings and firings of co-owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, some components of doubt in regards to the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year may just be creeping into their minds.
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It is difficult to gauge the Haslams’ frustration. What will have to mood any panic is that 3 groups within the AFC North are 2-2 and the Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-3.
Going into Monday night time, the Browns boast the league’s second-best dashing assault (187.3 yards consistent with recreation), fourth-best offense (384.8) and have been tied for 6th in scoring (26.3). That’s laudable bearing in mind backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett has thrived in Stefanski’s offense with no confirmed receiver at the back of four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper.
But there have been troubling indicators in opposition to the Falcons.
On 3 first-half possessions inside of Atlanta’s 4-yard line, the Browns controlled most effective 10 issues. In the primary two quarters, 11 performs from the Falcons’ 11 or inside of won 17 yards, offset by means of a 10-yard retaining penalty on proper guard Wyatt Teller.
The Browns working recreation was once rolling in Nick Chubb’s homecoming recreation. But with the ranking tied at 20 with 7:19 final, 4 of the seven performs Stefanski known as on the following sequence have been passes, the remaining two incomplete, because the power stalled on the Atlanta 44.
Playing with out 3 beginning defensive linemen, together with Pro Bowlers Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, Stefanski eschewed a box target on fourth-and-3 from the Atlanta 4 on the outlet sequence. With no person open, Brissett’s prime go to tight finish David Njoku was once incomplete.
Settling for a box target after dealing with first-and-goal on the 1 with 55 seconds left within the first 1/2 was once extra pricey, however the tone may have been set by means of going forward 3-0 on the outlet power.
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The Browns are closely dedicated to analytics, however Stefanski shot down the perception that he’s following the suggestions of a such a professional within the press field.
“We have a lot of coaches upstairs. For me in all of those decisions, it is 100 percent me making the decision,” Stefanski mentioned Monday. “I take in information from our coaches and from our staff up in the booth and on the sideline, and then ultimately, you have to own them. When they don’t work, you are frustrated, but it is my decision.”
On the encouraging facet, the Browns are 6 for 9 on fourth down (tied for 6th within the league). Stefanski may get slightly too lovely along with his calls from time to time, however the issues the Browns are striking up is unexpected within the absence of Watson. Players are open, however the goals are not at all times connecting with Brissett.
“We’re an aggressive offense. I’m going to be honest, stuff like that excites me,” Njoku mentioned Monday of the fourth-and-3 name. “It shows that we’re not afraid to put it all on the line.
“We’re doing great things on offense; we’ve just got to finish and fix the mistakes and great things will happen. We’re very close to putting a full game together.”
More unsettling was once the Browns giving up a 42-yard reception by means of Olamide Zaccheaus within the fourth quarter that arrange Younghoe Koo’s 45-yard game-winning box target. Stefanski deemed {that a} methodology error.
Miscommunication on that facet of the ball plagued the Browns within the opener at Carolina and in a home-opening cave in in opposition to the New York Jets by which the Browns blew a 13-point lead within the ultimate 115 seconds.
Stefanski contributed extra to the Jets loss than the newest one. He known as a Kareem Hunt sweep to the left sideline that went out of bounds and may have enabled the Browns to kill the clock had Hunt stayed in or attempted the opposite facet. With the Jets out of timeouts, Stefanski had two alternatives – on the sideline and by the use of the helmet radio – to instruct Chubb to not ranking a landing with 1:55 final that may have arrange 3 kneel downs to finish it.
The particular groups additionally had a big hand – or loss of a hand – in that defeat when Cooper did not bat the onside kick out of bounds.
The coaches deserve blame for each the Jets’ and Falcons’ losses. When the season ends, the ones defeats, particularly to the AFC’s Jets, may turn out much more pricey in the case of a postseason berth.
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Linebacker Sione Takitaki is aware of the enthusiasts are stressed.
“I get it. We’ve got really great fans and I know they want to see us winning out there and they have their opinions,” Takitaki mentioned Monday on Zoom. “But we’ve got to tighten up for ourselves, for our team because we want to do better, we want to win … and also do better for the fans.”
Stefanski and Woods are taking warmth on social media, however Takitaki isn’t paying consideration.
“We don’t listen to all that,” he mentioned. “We let all them talk and we just do our thing.”
With higher conversation, higher execution and higher focal point, the Browns can tamp down the embers surrounding Stefanski. But as the similar problems floor week after week, that does not difficult to understand the truth that his seat is warming, and deservedly so.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.