February 26, 2025 • 36 mins
On this special NFL Combine edition of From the Podium, hear from Browns GM Andrew Berry and HC Kevin Stefanski.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to this special NFL Combine edition of the From
the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Kollura. Members of the Browns
front office and coaching staff have made the trip out
to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine this week to
get a look at the newest soon to be rookie class.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
On this episode, you'll.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Hear from General manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Up first is General manager Andrew Berry, who addressed the
Browns as options with the number two overall selection in
the upcoming NFL Draft.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hey, everyone, how we doing all right?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
So?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Indianapolis is always an exciting time for us, you know,
it's particularly this year where we go into the off
season with what will likely be eleven picks, including number
two overall and our first time in three years with
a pick in the top fifty. So we're looking forward
to getting to know these three hundred plus guys in
Indianapolis over the next week and continue to do more
(00:52):
work over the next few months to see who becomes
Browns in April. Before I open up for questions, let
me just touch on Miles. So Miles, as you guys
have all heard me say, he's a huge part of
an organization, really good person, he's an awesome player. Understand
the trade requests and everything, but our stance really has
not changed. You know, we can't imagine a situation where
(01:14):
not having Miles is a part of the organization is
best for the Browns. So I just want to hit
that off the top end. With that, I'll open up
for questions.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
How did you feel when you expressed no confidence in
you and producing a winner?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yeah, Tony, I think if you by that you mean
the the trade request. I think trade requests they happen
across the league all the time, and I think you
know times for individual players that they'll have certain interests
during different parts of their career where their young player,
a veteran player, and things like that. That's not unusual.
It's not the first for us, it won't be the
(01:48):
it probably won't be the last. It's not the first
across the league. But we respect, we appreciate Miles, and
you know, like I said, we're not we're not interested
in moving the don't aligned with his.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Winning.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, So I I didn't see maybe that specific thing, Tony,
But you know, like I said, we've had plenty of
dialogue with Miles, you know, really since he's been a
Brown and and and certainly after the season with him
in his camp, certainly understand its frustration from last year.
We're all frustrated, you know. Our focus is on obviously
making the changes and the pieces to to make sure
that we don't feel like we did at the end
(02:22):
of last season.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
Seems like he's going to do.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
What's out?
Speaker 5 (02:29):
What do you feel confident required you guys kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
As I mentioned before, you know, understand the frustration. We've
had plenty of dialogue, but ultimately my responsibility is to
make the decisions that are best for the best for
the Browns, and having Miles a part of the organization
is is a huge piece of that. So Scott, we've
had plenty of dialogue, you know, throughout the season and
(02:58):
after season ended, you know, certainly both both him and
his camp, you know both, you know, but before and
after the trade requests and again you know, our our
interest is in uh in keeping Miles in Cleveland team Dogs.
Coming to we were we were aware of the possibility
with the conversations that we had and did coming over. Yeah,
(03:19):
I wouldn't get into those specifics, but again, like our
our focus is on, you know, building the team, and
you know, again, Miles has got to be a big.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Part of that.
Speaker 6 (03:30):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I wouldn't really touch on any conversations that I had
with other teams just respectfully, you know, I don't think
that's appropriate just for for current and future business, but
it's irrelevant to this situation because we're not interested in
moving Miles. Yeah, it would go to what I said
before Dan, where you know, we we don't have an
(03:51):
interest in in trading Miles. He's a big, perfect team experience.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You know.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
It's a good question, Mary Kay. I think if you've
probably seen of the past five years, whenever you get
into extension talks, they can happen at any time, and
I've learned not to predict those because oftentimes those negotiations
they can go up and down and back and forth.
I think if you look at our history through twenty twenty,
we've had some that have occurred in March or April,
(04:33):
some that have occurred in June and July, some that
have occurred in season, and some who have occurred as
late as December. So I can't begin to predict, you know,
but we really do take the approach with with our
our cash and cap planning, we take a multi year
time horizon and to accommodate the flexibility that we need
with the season.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
You know, Tony, I wouldn't go into the specifics in
terms of those posts to beings. I don't. I don't
think that's It's not something I've ever done with with
players and everything like that. I understand the interest in
the question, but I just don't think it's appropriate to share. Yeah, listen,
we have a number of really good people, you know,
in the organization, coaches, front office, players. We are looking
(05:19):
forward to the opportunities that are in front of us,
you know, of course of the spring with both free agency,
the draft, trademarket, you know, things of that nature, and
you know, we're excited to continue building this thing and
get it back on track.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
Credit credit.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
You know, I really do have a standard policy that
I really don't talk about, you know, contracts in public settings.
So I understand the interest, but that's not something that
I would address details.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
So you know, obviously Deshaun he re injured his achilles,
you know, unfortunately he turned his foot ankle area that
caused the retear during the normal state is of you know,
the recovery process. I know there's been a lot of
speculation everything out there, but you know, there's nothing to
farre us. It's just an unfortunate accident. So our focus
is on making sure that he gets healthy and and
(06:12):
you know it can be back to normal idea. Yeah,
it's probably Daniels probably too early to to pin that
down with certainty. He will miss significant time how far
that spans into twenty twenty five. I can't give you
a specific right now. You know, he's shown to be
(06:35):
a fast healer and and you know we're gonna try
and be as thoughtful and aggressive with the with the
recovery process. But that's not that it's something that I
could predict at the current moment. Also appreciate the hoodie
how I want money?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yeah, I meant, you know, I.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Mentioned actually like I think we're all frustrated with you know,
not winning enough last year, and you know, certainly he
shares in that sentiment. But at the end of the day,
you know, our decisions are about what's best for for
the Browns, and you know what's best for the Browns
is to have Miles on the roster.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Last season.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, Mike's awesome.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I think it starts with he has this infectious energy.
He's he's a ball coach. He he loves being on
the grass, he loves being with players, he loves developing
young coaches. I think the other thing that's very understated
about Mike you gotta you got Mike was a highly
accomplished player at State, highly accomplished player in New England,
coach big time football great DC in Houston, and then
(07:43):
you know, a coach of the Year in Tennessee. And
despite all these accomplished he has the humility of like
a first time QC coach in the league. And I
think that that's something that's really endearing to the people
that work with him. He can coach any position on
the on the field, and he has you know, more
knowledge and his pinky finger than probably most people would
(08:04):
in twenty years of football. And so New England is very, very,
very you know, fortunate to hire him, and I think
he'll do a great job there. And draft, yeah, I
think honestly, like at this stage, probably the trade market
at the top of the draft, it's like yet to
(08:25):
maybe reveal itself. We still are really early in the
evaluation process on the on the college side, I think
that's something that will perhaps have more visibility over the
next several months, is as teams can get you to
know the prospects and.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
The number one.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
In that part of it. Yeah, that's a great question, Chris.
I think it's twofold. I think number one. You know,
there's a fair amount that you can tell from from
the film, like how are they going through their progressions? Okay,
this is the concept, this is the coverage, this is
where you think they should go with the ball. But
(09:08):
probably the bigger piece, as you mentioned, Chris, is the
idea of talking to them during these settings and during
the spring and really seeing how they think. Whether you
talk through a successful play or honestly, a lot of
times that are more helpful is like okay, let's talk
to an unsuccessful play and see what led to the
decision and then ultimately what they learned from it. So
this time, you know, beginning in Indianapolis is incredibly valuable
(09:30):
for that position for those very reasons. But it's something
by the end of the process that we do believe
that we'll have a really good feel forded. Yet, how
does that affect to this you know, Zach is a
good question, you know, Joel is still the time we
have really great dialogue, but we're prepared in both situations.
(10:05):
That's a great question, Jorian. It's I'll say number one.
It's not an easy, you know, evaluation. I think it
first starts with, you know, what you really want to
accomplish on the offense side of the ball. Look, we'd
all want the person who can do everything, but there
are only so few of those players that exist. So
at that point, based on your existing infrastructure and what
(10:26):
you want to do schematically, it's about prioritizing some of
the must have you know, Chris mentioned earlier decision making.
It's a big thing for you know, you know, for us,
for us at the Brown, So that's a must have.
Guys that have that characteristic at an acceptable level or higher,
you know, will be prioritized, maybe relative to others. In
some areas. It may be arm strength or anticipation or
(10:48):
the ability to move and what you're doing. You're weighing
these different bundles of characteristics and then ultimately aiming at
the ones that have the most of what you desire. Now,
the added element or the added on top is availability
and cost, and that's not something that we'll know for
a couple of weeks. But you do as much planning
as you can because you know, free agency in the
(11:09):
trade market, you know, they generally take different twists and turns,
or at least that has been our experience over the
past five years. I'm sorry, Zach, I didn't hear you. Yeah, so,
I think there are two things that that I really
respect and appreciate, you know that how he has always done.
(11:31):
I think, uh, number one, just the philosophy of quarterback
and trenches. You know, that's something that's that's enormous and
I think it's pretty enduring in our sport. And I
think the second thing is, you know, Philly's creativity in
terms of pulling every lever in terms of how they
build the ross, whether it's drafts, whether it's trades, whether
it's free agency, and how they both use and manipulate
their resources. You know, that's that's what makes them the best.
(11:54):
Right now. Yeah, I think all those discussions are too early.
I guess I'm open to anything that would help us,
you know, improve the team. But you know, none of
those decisions here let me go, let me go here,
because you haven't asked a question yet, have you Okay, okay,
I'll do you next. I'll do next. I guess your
next quet.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Wide receiver.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Why do you value that that's a unique thing in
the now and do you have a specific position?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Do you think it's his primer? Well, i'd say this
in terms of you know, Travis Hunter cornerback or receiver.
The answer is yes, so he can he can play.
He can play both, and I think that's what makes
him special. You'll be with c him as a as
a receiver primarily first, but I think part of again,
what makes him a bit of a unicorn is the
fact that he can do both at a high level.
Good James, how would you describe the stress or eggs
(12:46):
that companies not having? So I always have this saying whenever,
like I talked to people who are earlier in their careers,
and it's a piece of advice that I wish I
had learned earlier and take in earlier. And it's just
get comfortable with being uncomfortable, Like there are there are
things that are gonna make you uncomfortable every off season,
(13:07):
especially when you're in in essence or risk taking position
or risk taking decision making position, and that's just that's
like the reality of the beast. So you know, at
this point in my career, that's not something that really
gives me. It's enough anxiety. I'll come back to you.
Who's let me get someone who just and I'll come
back to you. Opportunity every office. Yeah, it's a great question,
(13:34):
but that's one that probably can't answer in terms of
UH specificity. I don't necessarily want to show our cards,
but I think there are always opportunities in every avenue,
you know, whether it's you know, the eleven draft picks
that we have, whether it's on the free agent marketing
guys that that are become available, and then certainly the
trade work with some you know, opportunities that are already
available and others that you know, we won't know about
(13:55):
for the next couple of weeks. So our big thing
is flexibility and being opportunistic, and you know that will
continue to be the case for us.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Tony's next and made several references to whether it's playing Madden,
his visit building you must pray, what do you.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Make you know, I don't make much of it, Tony,
just because it's a long you know, it's a long
way to go, but I will say this, you know,
we got a chance to spend some time with you
or at the East West. We'll get some time to
spend with him during the upcoming week. He's he's a
fantastic individual. He's really smart, really driven, you know, grew
up around football and was highly successful. So it's been
(14:43):
a pleasure to spend time with him. We're looking forward
to spending more over the next several weeks, you know,
but there's still a long way to go with everything,
and so we'll we'll work through that as appropriate. I
didn't quite catch the first part of your question.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
Much prospects many out.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Yeah, so I'd say this it goes although Zach or
Zach left, he asked this question and left, But it
goes back to to Zach's question in terms of you know,
where we are, uh philosophically similar to Philly is that
we do believe in building for the trenches. So there
won't be a year that we don't, you know, due
a ton of work on the the big guys, including
the edge rushers.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
You know.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Look, I think I heard the statistic yesterday that, uh,
this year at the Combine, there's a record number of
defensive linemen that got invited and that you know, probably
does tell you what you need to know about the class.
That you know, if you're looking for defensive linemen and
you're looking for rushers, you know, this is probably the
right year to look.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Other drawn second year in a row obviously.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
With with THEE.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
But then another person draw any concern is that we're
especially after you know that the Wes grow up hearing.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Yeah, you know so, Chris, I'd say that, you know,
the the individual injury itself is let me knock on
wood on this because this went the wrong way for
us last year. But the injury individually of itself is
not something that is creating a lot of anxiety. But
what we do want to focus on is making sure
(16:21):
that Dewan can end a season healthy because like durability is,
it's a huge part of it, and you know, we're
a better team when he's on the field and he's healthy.
Uh So that's a major major focus of his offseason programming.
I'm sorry, I mean, honestly, Scott, like it's I would
say this, it's a six to one way half dozen another.
(16:43):
He can he can play both. I do think that
there's just an element where his you know, his superpower,
his his superpower, they're really his ball skills, and that's
a position where you could use it, you know, one
hundred times during the season versus maybe maybe thirty on
the high end. But look, we'll have you know, we'll
have uh, you know, our coaches and scouts you know,
fight it out in terms of where he should be
(17:04):
on the board. But you know, any TV goes to
will be happy to have him. It doesn't at all.
That's not something I spend any any time on. I
have but too much respect and appreciation for everybody in
the organization and you know, really make decisions accordingly, do
you expect, Yeah, Tony, Like I wish I had a
(17:27):
specific update for you on on Jeremiah. I could say
that he's you know, he's he's slowly making progress. He's
he's going through you know all that's required medically, But
I don't have anything specific on that right now. I'm sorry. Yeah,
he's tough, physical, uh you know, a rare athlete with
(17:49):
outstanding speed. He's he's he's special in his own regard
that he can play off the ball, he can rush
the passer. So he's he's an excellent prospector here see
the team maybe changing your tact of plans to better
supert it'd be what I've mentioned a little bit ago. Like,
(18:12):
you know, our job is ultimately to make the decisions
that are best for the Browns organization. And you know,
oftentimes you want to make you know all of your
your your players, your coaches, staff as you know, as
happy as possible with like their interests. But those interests
always have to be aligned what's best for the team,
and that will always hold. That'll always be front and
center and our decision making process. All right, thank you everyone.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the Browns' philosophies in the
NFL Draft and the season ahead.
Speaker 6 (18:38):
Okay, fire away, guys. Yeah, very excited for coach in
New England. He's gonna do a great job.
Speaker 5 (18:49):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
He helped me. I hope we helped him in some way.
But he was really a great resource for myself, for
our players, our coaches.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
He did a great job.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Me.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Okay, so yeah, my dad would disagree with that, but.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
More complicated.
Speaker 6 (19:14):
Say one more time, he said, tanking, that's a great question.
I don't I don't have a great answer for you.
I'm sure there's, uh, there's rule considerations and how our
game is set up versus the NBA, But I'm not.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Sure your role in this draft it's a little more
experiencing the quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
I wouldn't I wouldn't. I wouldn't say expansive.
Speaker 6 (19:39):
Uh, Tony, I think you try to be involved in
all these decisions and and help where I can help,
but not any different than before.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
What do you want to start to work?
Speaker 6 (19:50):
Yeah, I think we're obviously, uh, looking in a bunch
of different areas there where there's some really exciting young
players in this draft that you're looking at. There's obviously
work to be on and and free agency and all
those type of things. But I think we're looking at
all avenues, if you will. Yeah, not impacting my plans.
(20:13):
As you know, Mary Kay, I think the world of Miles. Uh.
You know, I understand the business of football, and I
understand these things happen from time to time. But I
expect Miles on our team this year, next year, the
year after that and so on. He's a part of
the president, he's a part of the future.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
Year.
Speaker 6 (20:35):
Yeah, listen, I respect Miles, but I think in the meantime,
I'll keep any conversations between us.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
Business not Yeah, I think the we love the game
of football.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Sometimes the business of football gets involved, which is just
part of it, but it doesn't change the fact that
we we of a bunch of guys that love to
play a kid's game, including.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
White board college.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Is there any specific goal there or you're looking at
to have that many college coaches coming up?
Speaker 6 (21:15):
Well, I think coaches are good coaches regardless of where
they come from, high school, college, pro.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (21:21):
I do think, as we all know, there's plenty of
the game that makes its way up from college into
the pros, and I know it works both ways, but
there's certainly some exciting things that people are doing in
the collegiate game. Uh, and it's important for us to
understand those things because, as everybody knows, this game is changing.
It changes every single year, and you want to make
sure that you're staying ahead of it, if that makes sense. Yes, yeah, yeah,
(21:49):
I mean Coach Callahan is obviously an important person to
me and to the way I think about the game,
and I take his his word very seriously and how
he thinks about the game. And you know, when you're
talking about people that have worked with him and guys
that he knows that that carries some weight with me
for sure. I think, like we said to Daniel, we're
(22:12):
open minded to a bunch of different avenues. We'll see
how it shakes out. Yeah, we work collaboratively. Like like
you said, Fred, this is an organizational decision and all
(22:35):
these things. So I'll work very closely with Andrew, with
our entire staff and waking these decisions. I think there's
things it's a good question. I think there's things that
you believe in that that you want to create a
foundation of what you believe in in your identity.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (22:58):
But then you have to be ready to change depending
on who your players are and players plural, not just
the quarterback position. You have to understand what your guys
do best. So, uh, you're trying to put in a
foundation of an offense and then obviously pivot based on
the players.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Players.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Yeah, we look at things every year.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
You know, I asked the players to get better year
to year. I certainly hope we're getting better year to year.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (23:27):
And there's what we do in the off season is
really in search of best practices, if you will. So
you're always open to doing things that are better for
the football team. Yeah, I also want to win. I
(23:47):
also want to win a championship. That's just how we're wired,
and we're working very hard towards that goal.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
There's a lot of.
Speaker 6 (23:59):
Running I I think the offense, Tony, Uh, to your point,
we're certainly looking at things in the run game with
a new offensive line coach like coach Bloomgren. With Tommy Reese,
we're putting in uh a system that's gonna be certainly
new to two thousand, twenty five Cleveland Browns. As it
relates to players, Uh, we're always looking to add good players.
I like the guys we have in the running back
(24:20):
room right this minute. But there's plenty of good players
that you're always looking at.
Speaker 3 (24:25):
Sorry, Daniel, what do you name?
Speaker 6 (24:31):
We'll see I I think so much of it is is, uh,
you see who the guys that are are available. You
look at all of them, and and then you have
to be ready to pivot uh once March rolls around.
But like I said earlier, I mean you we're I'm
open to a bunch.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Of different areas.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Teach effort.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (24:48):
Again, I think there's so many moving parts and and
you want to just make sure you're adding the right
people to your building, like the last double months.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
And how much is.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
Full of sign.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
And just what his past at Notre Dame and when
the Yeah, Tommy, Uh, you know we talked about this
uh obviously when we hired Tommy, but feel really strongly
about his background and and how he sees the game.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
He's done a really nice job in the weeks that
we've been working together, uh with the offensive staff putting
the system uh together. He's working very hard as we
speak with the staff, they're meeting on that now. So UH,
we continue to look at everything and and make sure
that like I mentioned before, it's it's about building the
foundation and really starting right at the at square one
there making sure that you have a sound system that
you're building upon.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
He's still we're.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
Hard.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
What are your inficial thoughts?
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Yeah, spend time with Shador today.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Spend time with a lot of the players over the
last uh forty eight hours. A lot of speed dating
going on.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (25:51):
But Shador is a very very impressive young man. Was
raised the right way, uh obviously as a a heck
of a football player. That's evident off the tape, but
really impressed with the persons.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (26:12):
Yeah, I think he certainly has a great resource in
his dad to understand what it takes to be a
great pro.
Speaker 3 (26:19):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (26:19):
You know, he played for Pat Shermer at Colorado, you know,
Pat being a longtime NFL coach, so he understand that
as well. So yeah, I think he's taking advantage of
those people close to him.
Speaker 5 (26:28):
Is there a challenge right now you've been a double
digit Is there a particular challenge for you to have
that many gas coming in?
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Potentially it's something you need to focus on with that
large part.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Yeah, I think every year it's it's different.
Speaker 6 (26:43):
Sometimes you have a few more picks than others, and
this year is certainly you're looking to get quality players
and quality people that you want to bring into your building.
And then you know, a big part of what we
do as coaches and certainly as an organization is is
player development. That that's a big piece of this. So
you're not getting finished products in April. You're getting guys
that you're going to bring along in a bunch of
different areas, certainly with in terms of ex's and o's,
(27:05):
but also just in teaching them this game. Teaching them
this this job that they're embarking upon, and then when
you get them yeah, yeah, yeah, I think the the
twenty minutes here is important. I think you can learn
(27:25):
a little bit, albeit quickly. Uh So you try to
put some tape on or get them on the board,
whatever you do. I know different teams have different philosophies there,
but I think you do get something out of these meetings.
For sure, you get a feel for the person, feel
for the player, how.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
They see the game.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
And then, like you mentioned, you bring guys to Cleveland
and you have those thirty visits. Now you can spend
a day with them and you can some things that
teams do. And you know, we have a version of
this is you can install plays to them. You can
walk through those plays, you can put them on the
board and see how they retain those plays. So there's
a lot to learn. And uh, this is a piece
of it. This combine is a piece of it. The
(28:01):
thirty visits are a piece of it, The pro days
are a piece of it.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
All. All of it's uh, a big evaluation. It's all encompassing.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
Don't have it finalized, but we'll be on the road
at some of them yes, yes, yes, yeah, Yeah, very
very impressed with Cam as well, just his career where
he's been is a unique path, but knows football really well.
Was very impressed with his meeting in terms of his
recall going back to his Washington State days and how
(28:38):
he saw defense, how he progressed, how how his processing worked.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
He kind of could talk through all that. I was
very impressed with the young man. Yeah. Also talk to Jalen. Yeah,
did a nice job.
Speaker 6 (28:50):
You know, Tommy Greese was with Jalen at Alabama, so
spent a year with him, so kind of can explain
to me what type of person he is. And he
was great, great personnel. Again, fun to watch him talk
through their plays. A very competitive kid. He did a
nice show.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
The number one drink.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
Is the number one when quarterback.
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Yeah, decision making obviously is very high on the list,
whether it's one, two, three, Accuracy being very important as well,
but decision making and like we just talked about processing,
I think every single plays a quarterback, Uh, there you're
doing something whether it's a run check or it's a
a you know, emotion, a decision that you're making, uh
based on a safety's depth, all those type of things.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Factor into decision making. Yeah, really say very similar.
Speaker 6 (29:48):
Yes, Uh to your point, Tony, I think you want
to make sure you're you can compare apples and apples
if you will, But then when you put the tape on,
you're really watching their tape, having them talk through their
place it.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Is Uh.
Speaker 6 (30:04):
Yeah, I mean I think it's all of the All
of these are important to varying degrees. I think accuracy obviously,
that innate ability to put the ball where it needs
to be is important. I've been around guys that you
wouldn't say have big arms quote unquote from arm strength
and still get it done. So I think all these
players are different, all their traits are different. So that's
where it's so important for us right now down here
(30:26):
on the thirty visits on the pro days, just to
get to know the person, get to.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Know the player.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Point.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Yeah, I think that's not the NFL.
Speaker 6 (30:50):
I think if you look across the NFL, you have
to be ready to pivot in a season, in a
you know, the first quarter of the third game, you
have to be ready to go if something changes. So
I think you've seen different schemes, different coaches, different people,
have varying styles as part of their scheme.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
That's just part of the evolution of football.
Speaker 6 (31:14):
Yeah, disappointed with Said's injury towards the end of the
season where that really took him out of playing at
a really high level for us. So excited for him
to finally be healthy now and looking forward to a
really good third year from him.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
That fits talent.
Speaker 6 (31:34):
I think it's our job as coaches to fit talent
into our schemes.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
And I'm talking.
Speaker 6 (31:39):
Offense, defense, special teams. You're always looking for talented football players.
You don't want to just look only for scheme fit,
because then that will take you away from taking maybe
a more talented players.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (31:59):
I wouldn't characterise it that way, Mary Kay, other than
to say, I'm really impressed by Cam Schudor. There's a
bunch of guys that that I think it's great tape.
I think they're really good kids. So, uh, there's some
really talented players at that position. But then look across
the other positions. I mean, uh, it's been a very
very impressive group as I've gotten to talk to him,
but certainly you put the tape on it, it's an
impressive group overall. He's a football player for sure. Uh, yeah,
(32:28):
I think our offensive coaches want him to be a
offensive player. Defensive coaches want him to be a defensive player.
Speaker 3 (32:33):
So, uh, we'll work.
Speaker 6 (32:35):
We'll talk through those type of things in this spring.
I think every building is going to talk through those
type of things. But he's a football player, Uh, you know,
Chuck bedn Erika the modern era. I think that's certainly
what most teams would be thinking with a player of
(32:55):
his caliber.
Speaker 3 (33:04):
Uh. Yes, yeah, I hadn't been to the East West. Yeah,
I like.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
That much.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Yeah, I think the Senior Bowl.
Speaker 6 (33:16):
Obviously, you get on the field closer to the players.
I've been the Senior Bowl, you know, over the course
of time I've coached the Senior Bowl. Uh, and then
a lot of times you're if you're not there physically,
you're watching every rep of practice, you're watching all the interviews, uh,
those type of things. When you're there, now you can
kind of bounce around to different places. We had a
lot of coaches down there Tony.
Speaker 3 (33:35):
This year.
Speaker 6 (33:35):
We had Jacques Cesare was the defensive coordinator. Bubba Ventrone
was the head coach of the team. So that was
also important for me to get there around them, show
them some support as well, I I think certain positions
maybe y, y, you're you're. I think if you ask
(33:57):
any position coach, they'd say they want to see their
position up close and personal. So line coaches want to
see how a guard comes off the ball. Defensive line
coaches want to see how defensive end comes out of
three point stand So I think by position, certain people
feel like the seeing them in person is really important.
Speaker 2 (34:13):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (34:14):
You know, I've done a bunch of different ways, but
when you're down there, you also can see how they
interact with their teammates, how they interact with their coaches
as well.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
There's a lot of players will participate here at the combine.
Is that something you like to find out why they
chose not to participate?
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Obviously, injuries is the issue, right, Is that something that's.
Speaker 5 (34:32):
Important for you to find out why they are not?
Speaker 3 (34:35):
I think you ask and you have them talk through it.
Speaker 6 (34:37):
But I understand the dynamics at play with some of
those decisions that these guys are making, and they have
to do what they think is best for them in
this in these uh.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
Moments decision the second whole top.
Speaker 6 (34:53):
Yeah, I'm not going to get into specifics of our
conversations Tony. But uh, look, we're just talking about I
think there's obviously, in this day and age, there's a
lot of dynamics at play. I did spend time with
abdul Car was it last night? All these days are
run together, I'm sorry. Very impressive young man from Philadelphia.
(35:15):
I know a lot of people that know him from
his high school days. Impressive on the grass obviously, you
know you'll see what he can do physically, whether it's
here at his pro day.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
But did a nice job, guys.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Definitely top youngercraft guy. You like to see that.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
I mean, I'm open to all of this.
Speaker 6 (35:38):
That's the exciting part where you can envision all these
type of things and certainly adding a really good player
opposite Miles of something of course that's intriguing.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
That'll do it for this episode of the From the
Podium Podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to the
show wherever you get your podcast, keep it locked to
Cleveland Browns daily each weekday, and follow the Browns on
social media for more coverage from the Cross Country Mortgage
Campus in Borea. I'm Gabe cooler Up. Thanks for listening
to the From the Podium Podcast.
Welcome to this special NFL Combine edition of the From
the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Kollura. Members of the Browns
front office and coaching staff have made the trip out
to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine this week to
get a look at the newest soon to be rookie class.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
On this episode, you'll.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Hear from General manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Up first is General manager Andrew Berry, who addressed the
Browns as options with the number two overall selection in
the upcoming NFL Draft.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Hey, everyone, how we doing all right?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
So?
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Indianapolis is always an exciting time for us, you know,
it's particularly this year where we go into the off
season with what will likely be eleven picks, including number
two overall and our first time in three years with
a pick in the top fifty. So we're looking forward
to getting to know these three hundred plus guys in
Indianapolis over the next week and continue to do more
(00:52):
work over the next few months to see who becomes
Browns in April. Before I open up for questions, let
me just touch on Miles. So Miles, as you guys
have all heard me say, he's a huge part of
an organization, really good person, he's an awesome player. Understand
the trade requests and everything, but our stance really has
not changed. You know, we can't imagine a situation where
(01:14):
not having Miles is a part of the organization is
best for the Browns. So I just want to hit
that off the top end. With that, I'll open up
for questions.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
How did you feel when you expressed no confidence in
you and producing a winner?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yeah, Tony, I think if you by that you mean
the the trade request. I think trade requests they happen
across the league all the time, and I think you
know times for individual players that they'll have certain interests
during different parts of their career where their young player,
a veteran player, and things like that. That's not unusual.
It's not the first for us, it won't be the
(01:48):
it probably won't be the last. It's not the first
across the league. But we respect, we appreciate Miles, and
you know, like I said, we're not we're not interested
in moving the don't aligned with his.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Winning.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Yeah, So I I didn't see maybe that specific thing, Tony,
But you know, like I said, we've had plenty of
dialogue with Miles, you know, really since he's been a
Brown and and and certainly after the season with him
in his camp, certainly understand its frustration from last year.
We're all frustrated, you know. Our focus is on obviously
making the changes and the pieces to to make sure
that we don't feel like we did at the end
(02:22):
of last season.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
Seems like he's going to do.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
What's out?
Speaker 5 (02:29):
What do you feel confident required you guys kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
As I mentioned before, you know, understand the frustration. We've
had plenty of dialogue, but ultimately my responsibility is to
make the decisions that are best for the best for
the Browns, and having Miles a part of the organization
is is a huge piece of that. So Scott, we've
had plenty of dialogue, you know, throughout the season and
(02:58):
after season ended, you know, certainly both both him and
his camp, you know both, you know, but before and
after the trade requests and again you know, our our
interest is in uh in keeping Miles in Cleveland team Dogs.
Coming to we were we were aware of the possibility
with the conversations that we had and did coming over. Yeah,
(03:19):
I wouldn't get into those specifics, but again, like our
our focus is on, you know, building the team, and
you know, again, Miles has got to be a big.
Speaker 1 (03:28):
Part of that.
Speaker 6 (03:30):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
I wouldn't really touch on any conversations that I had
with other teams just respectfully, you know, I don't think
that's appropriate just for for current and future business, but
it's irrelevant to this situation because we're not interested in
moving Miles. Yeah, it would go to what I said
before Dan, where you know, we we don't have an
(03:51):
interest in in trading Miles. He's a big, perfect team experience.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You know.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
It's a good question, Mary Kay. I think if you've
probably seen of the past five years, whenever you get
into extension talks, they can happen at any time, and
I've learned not to predict those because oftentimes those negotiations
they can go up and down and back and forth.
I think if you look at our history through twenty twenty,
we've had some that have occurred in March or April,
(04:33):
some that have occurred in June and July, some that
have occurred in season, and some who have occurred as
late as December. So I can't begin to predict, you know,
but we really do take the approach with with our
our cash and cap planning, we take a multi year
time horizon and to accommodate the flexibility that we need
with the season.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
You know, Tony, I wouldn't go into the specifics in
terms of those posts to beings. I don't. I don't
think that's It's not something I've ever done with with
players and everything like that. I understand the interest in
the question, but I just don't think it's appropriate to share. Yeah, listen,
we have a number of really good people, you know,
in the organization, coaches, front office, players. We are looking
(05:19):
forward to the opportunities that are in front of us,
you know, of course of the spring with both free agency,
the draft, trademarket, you know, things of that nature, and
you know, we're excited to continue building this thing and
get it back on track.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
Credit credit.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
You know, I really do have a standard policy that
I really don't talk about, you know, contracts in public settings.
So I understand the interest, but that's not something that
I would address details.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
So you know, obviously Deshaun he re injured his achilles,
you know, unfortunately he turned his foot ankle area that
caused the retear during the normal state is of you know,
the recovery process. I know there's been a lot of
speculation everything out there, but you know, there's nothing to
farre us. It's just an unfortunate accident. So our focus
is on making sure that he gets healthy and and
(06:12):
you know it can be back to normal idea. Yeah,
it's probably Daniels probably too early to to pin that
down with certainty. He will miss significant time how far
that spans into twenty twenty five. I can't give you
a specific right now. You know, he's shown to be
(06:35):
a fast healer and and you know we're gonna try
and be as thoughtful and aggressive with the with the
recovery process. But that's not that it's something that I
could predict at the current moment. Also appreciate the hoodie
how I want money?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Yeah, I meant, you know, I.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Mentioned actually like I think we're all frustrated with you know,
not winning enough last year, and you know, certainly he
shares in that sentiment. But at the end of the day,
you know, our decisions are about what's best for for
the Browns, and you know what's best for the Browns
is to have Miles on the roster.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Last season.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
Yeah, Mike's awesome.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
I think it starts with he has this infectious energy.
He's he's a ball coach. He he loves being on
the grass, he loves being with players, he loves developing
young coaches. I think the other thing that's very understated
about Mike you gotta you got Mike was a highly
accomplished player at State, highly accomplished player in New England,
coach big time football great DC in Houston, and then
(07:43):
you know, a coach of the Year in Tennessee. And
despite all these accomplished he has the humility of like
a first time QC coach in the league. And I
think that that's something that's really endearing to the people
that work with him. He can coach any position on
the on the field, and he has you know, more
knowledge and his pinky finger than probably most people would
(08:04):
in twenty years of football. And so New England is very, very,
very you know, fortunate to hire him, and I think
he'll do a great job there. And draft, yeah, I
think honestly, like at this stage, probably the trade market
at the top of the draft, it's like yet to
(08:25):
maybe reveal itself. We still are really early in the
evaluation process on the on the college side, I think
that's something that will perhaps have more visibility over the
next several months, is as teams can get you to
know the prospects and.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
The number one.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
In that part of it. Yeah, that's a great question, Chris.
I think it's twofold. I think number one. You know,
there's a fair amount that you can tell from from
the film, like how are they going through their progressions? Okay,
this is the concept, this is the coverage, this is
where you think they should go with the ball. But
(09:08):
probably the bigger piece, as you mentioned, Chris, is the
idea of talking to them during these settings and during
the spring and really seeing how they think. Whether you
talk through a successful play or honestly, a lot of
times that are more helpful is like okay, let's talk
to an unsuccessful play and see what led to the
decision and then ultimately what they learned from it. So
this time, you know, beginning in Indianapolis is incredibly valuable
(09:30):
for that position for those very reasons. But it's something
by the end of the process that we do believe
that we'll have a really good feel forded. Yet, how
does that affect to this you know, Zach is a
good question, you know, Joel is still the time we
have really great dialogue, but we're prepared in both situations.
(10:05):
That's a great question, Jorian. It's I'll say number one.
It's not an easy, you know, evaluation. I think it
first starts with, you know, what you really want to
accomplish on the offense side of the ball. Look, we'd
all want the person who can do everything, but there
are only so few of those players that exist. So
at that point, based on your existing infrastructure and what
(10:26):
you want to do schematically, it's about prioritizing some of
the must have you know, Chris mentioned earlier decision making.
It's a big thing for you know, you know, for us,
for us at the Brown, So that's a must have.
Guys that have that characteristic at an acceptable level or higher,
you know, will be prioritized, maybe relative to others. In
some areas. It may be arm strength or anticipation or
(10:48):
the ability to move and what you're doing. You're weighing
these different bundles of characteristics and then ultimately aiming at
the ones that have the most of what you desire. Now,
the added element or the added on top is availability
and cost, and that's not something that we'll know for
a couple of weeks. But you do as much planning
as you can because you know, free agency in the
(11:09):
trade market, you know, they generally take different twists and turns,
or at least that has been our experience over the
past five years. I'm sorry, Zach, I didn't hear you. Yeah, so,
I think there are two things that that I really
respect and appreciate, you know that how he has always done.
(11:31):
I think, uh, number one, just the philosophy of quarterback
and trenches. You know, that's something that's that's enormous and
I think it's pretty enduring in our sport. And I
think the second thing is, you know, Philly's creativity in
terms of pulling every lever in terms of how they
build the ross, whether it's drafts, whether it's trades, whether
it's free agency, and how they both use and manipulate
their resources. You know, that's that's what makes them the best.
(11:54):
Right now. Yeah, I think all those discussions are too early.
I guess I'm open to anything that would help us,
you know, improve the team. But you know, none of
those decisions here let me go, let me go here,
because you haven't asked a question yet, have you Okay, okay,
I'll do you next. I'll do next. I guess your
next quet.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
Wide receiver.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Why do you value that that's a unique thing in
the now and do you have a specific position?
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Do you think it's his primer? Well, i'd say this
in terms of you know, Travis Hunter cornerback or receiver.
The answer is yes, so he can he can play.
He can play both, and I think that's what makes
him special. You'll be with c him as a as
a receiver primarily first, but I think part of again,
what makes him a bit of a unicorn is the
fact that he can do both at a high level.
Good James, how would you describe the stress or eggs
(12:46):
that companies not having? So I always have this saying whenever,
like I talked to people who are earlier in their careers,
and it's a piece of advice that I wish I
had learned earlier and take in earlier. And it's just
get comfortable with being uncomfortable, Like there are there are
things that are gonna make you uncomfortable every off season,
(13:07):
especially when you're in in essence or risk taking position
or risk taking decision making position, and that's just that's
like the reality of the beast. So you know, at
this point in my career, that's not something that really
gives me. It's enough anxiety. I'll come back to you.
Who's let me get someone who just and I'll come
back to you. Opportunity every office. Yeah, it's a great question,
(13:34):
but that's one that probably can't answer in terms of
UH specificity. I don't necessarily want to show our cards,
but I think there are always opportunities in every avenue,
you know, whether it's you know, the eleven draft picks
that we have, whether it's on the free agent marketing
guys that that are become available, and then certainly the
trade work with some you know, opportunities that are already
available and others that you know, we won't know about
(13:55):
for the next couple of weeks. So our big thing
is flexibility and being opportunistic, and you know that will
continue to be the case for us.
Speaker 4 (14:04):
Tony's next and made several references to whether it's playing Madden,
his visit building you must pray, what do you.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Make you know, I don't make much of it, Tony,
just because it's a long you know, it's a long
way to go, but I will say this, you know,
we got a chance to spend some time with you
or at the East West. We'll get some time to
spend with him during the upcoming week. He's he's a
fantastic individual. He's really smart, really driven, you know, grew
up around football and was highly successful. So it's been
(14:43):
a pleasure to spend time with him. We're looking forward
to spending more over the next several weeks, you know,
but there's still a long way to go with everything,
and so we'll we'll work through that as appropriate. I
didn't quite catch the first part of your question.
Speaker 6 (15:02):
Much prospects many out.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
Yeah, so I'd say this it goes although Zach or
Zach left, he asked this question and left, But it
goes back to to Zach's question in terms of you know,
where we are, uh philosophically similar to Philly is that
we do believe in building for the trenches. So there
won't be a year that we don't, you know, due
a ton of work on the the big guys, including
the edge rushers.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
You know.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
Look, I think I heard the statistic yesterday that, uh,
this year at the Combine, there's a record number of
defensive linemen that got invited and that you know, probably
does tell you what you need to know about the class.
That you know, if you're looking for defensive linemen and
you're looking for rushers, you know, this is probably the
right year to look.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Other drawn second year in a row obviously.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
With with THEE.
Speaker 6 (15:51):
But then another person draw any concern is that we're
especially after you know that the Wes grow up hearing.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Yeah, you know so, Chris, I'd say that, you know,
the the individual injury itself is let me knock on
wood on this because this went the wrong way for
us last year. But the injury individually of itself is
not something that is creating a lot of anxiety. But
what we do want to focus on is making sure
(16:21):
that Dewan can end a season healthy because like durability is,
it's a huge part of it, and you know, we're
a better team when he's on the field and he's healthy.
Uh So that's a major major focus of his offseason programming.
I'm sorry, I mean, honestly, Scott, like it's I would
say this, it's a six to one way half dozen another.
(16:43):
He can he can play both. I do think that
there's just an element where his you know, his superpower,
his his superpower, they're really his ball skills, and that's
a position where you could use it, you know, one
hundred times during the season versus maybe maybe thirty on
the high end. But look, we'll have you know, we'll
have uh, you know, our coaches and scouts you know,
fight it out in terms of where he should be
(17:04):
on the board. But you know, any TV goes to
will be happy to have him. It doesn't at all.
That's not something I spend any any time on. I
have but too much respect and appreciation for everybody in
the organization and you know, really make decisions accordingly, do
you expect, Yeah, Tony, Like I wish I had a
(17:27):
specific update for you on on Jeremiah. I could say
that he's you know, he's he's slowly making progress. He's
he's going through you know all that's required medically, But
I don't have anything specific on that right now. I'm sorry. Yeah,
he's tough, physical, uh you know, a rare athlete with
(17:49):
outstanding speed. He's he's he's special in his own regard
that he can play off the ball, he can rush
the passer. So he's he's an excellent prospector here see
the team maybe changing your tact of plans to better
supert it'd be what I've mentioned a little bit ago. Like,
(18:12):
you know, our job is ultimately to make the decisions
that are best for the Browns organization. And you know,
oftentimes you want to make you know all of your
your your players, your coaches, staff as you know, as
happy as possible with like their interests. But those interests
always have to be aligned what's best for the team,
and that will always hold. That'll always be front and
center and our decision making process. All right, thank you everyone.
Speaker 1 (18:33):
Head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the Browns' philosophies in the
NFL Draft and the season ahead.
Speaker 6 (18:38):
Okay, fire away, guys. Yeah, very excited for coach in
New England. He's gonna do a great job.
Speaker 5 (18:49):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (18:49):
He helped me. I hope we helped him in some way.
But he was really a great resource for myself, for
our players, our coaches.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
He did a great job.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Me.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Okay, so yeah, my dad would disagree with that, but.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
More complicated.
Speaker 6 (19:14):
Say one more time, he said, tanking, that's a great question.
I don't I don't have a great answer for you.
I'm sure there's, uh, there's rule considerations and how our
game is set up versus the NBA, But I'm not.
Speaker 4 (19:29):
Sure your role in this draft it's a little more
experiencing the quarterbacks.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
I wouldn't I wouldn't. I wouldn't say expansive.
Speaker 6 (19:39):
Uh, Tony, I think you try to be involved in
all these decisions and and help where I can help,
but not any different than before.
Speaker 2 (19:47):
What do you want to start to work?
Speaker 6 (19:50):
Yeah, I think we're obviously, uh, looking in a bunch
of different areas there where there's some really exciting young
players in this draft that you're looking at. There's obviously
work to be on and and free agency and all
those type of things. But I think we're looking at
all avenues, if you will. Yeah, not impacting my plans.
(20:13):
As you know, Mary Kay, I think the world of Miles. Uh.
You know, I understand the business of football, and I
understand these things happen from time to time. But I
expect Miles on our team this year, next year, the
year after that and so on. He's a part of
the president, he's a part of the future.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
Year.
Speaker 6 (20:35):
Yeah, listen, I respect Miles, but I think in the meantime,
I'll keep any conversations between us.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
Business not Yeah, I think the we love the game
of football.
Speaker 6 (20:54):
Sometimes the business of football gets involved, which is just
part of it, but it doesn't change the fact that
we we of a bunch of guys that love to
play a kid's game, including.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
White board college.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Is there any specific goal there or you're looking at
to have that many college coaches coming up?
Speaker 6 (21:15):
Well, I think coaches are good coaches regardless of where
they come from, high school, college, pro.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (21:21):
I do think, as we all know, there's plenty of
the game that makes its way up from college into
the pros, and I know it works both ways, but
there's certainly some exciting things that people are doing in
the collegiate game. Uh, and it's important for us to
understand those things because, as everybody knows, this game is changing.
It changes every single year, and you want to make
sure that you're staying ahead of it, if that makes sense. Yes, yeah, yeah,
(21:49):
I mean Coach Callahan is obviously an important person to
me and to the way I think about the game,
and I take his his word very seriously and how
he thinks about the game. And you know, when you're
talking about people that have worked with him and guys
that he knows that that carries some weight with me
for sure. I think, like we said to Daniel, we're
(22:12):
open minded to a bunch of different avenues. We'll see
how it shakes out. Yeah, we work collaboratively. Like like
you said, Fred, this is an organizational decision and all
(22:35):
these things. So I'll work very closely with Andrew, with
our entire staff and waking these decisions. I think there's
things it's a good question. I think there's things that
you believe in that that you want to create a
foundation of what you believe in in your identity.
Speaker 2 (22:58):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (22:58):
But then you have to be ready to change depending
on who your players are and players plural, not just
the quarterback position. You have to understand what your guys
do best. So, uh, you're trying to put in a
foundation of an offense and then obviously pivot based on
the players.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
Players.
Speaker 3 (23:21):
Yeah, we look at things every year.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
You know, I asked the players to get better year
to year. I certainly hope we're getting better year to year.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (23:27):
And there's what we do in the off season is
really in search of best practices, if you will. So
you're always open to doing things that are better for
the football team. Yeah, I also want to win. I
(23:47):
also want to win a championship. That's just how we're wired,
and we're working very hard towards that goal.
Speaker 4 (23:52):
There's a lot of.
Speaker 6 (23:59):
Running I I think the offense, Tony, Uh, to your point,
we're certainly looking at things in the run game with
a new offensive line coach like coach Bloomgren. With Tommy Reese,
we're putting in uh a system that's gonna be certainly
new to two thousand, twenty five Cleveland Browns. As it
relates to players, Uh, we're always looking to add good players.
I like the guys we have in the running back
(24:20):
room right this minute. But there's plenty of good players
that you're always looking at.
Speaker 3 (24:25):
Sorry, Daniel, what do you name?
Speaker 6 (24:31):
We'll see I I think so much of it is is, uh,
you see who the guys that are are available. You
look at all of them, and and then you have
to be ready to pivot uh once March rolls around.
But like I said earlier, I mean you we're I'm
open to a bunch.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
Of different areas.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Teach effort.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (24:48):
Again, I think there's so many moving parts and and
you want to just make sure you're adding the right
people to your building, like the last double months.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
And how much is.
Speaker 2 (24:59):
Full of sign.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
And just what his past at Notre Dame and when
the Yeah, Tommy, Uh, you know we talked about this
uh obviously when we hired Tommy, but feel really strongly
about his background and and how he sees the game.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
He's done a really nice job in the weeks that
we've been working together, uh with the offensive staff putting
the system uh together. He's working very hard as we
speak with the staff, they're meeting on that now. So UH,
we continue to look at everything and and make sure
that like I mentioned before, it's it's about building the
foundation and really starting right at the at square one
there making sure that you have a sound system that
you're building upon.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
He's still we're.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
Hard.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
What are your inficial thoughts?
Speaker 3 (25:43):
Yeah, spend time with Shador today.
Speaker 2 (25:45):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Spend time with a lot of the players over the
last uh forty eight hours. A lot of speed dating
going on.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (25:51):
But Shador is a very very impressive young man. Was
raised the right way, uh obviously as a a heck
of a football player. That's evident off the tape, but
really impressed with the persons.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (26:12):
Yeah, I think he certainly has a great resource in
his dad to understand what it takes to be a
great pro.
Speaker 3 (26:19):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (26:19):
You know, he played for Pat Shermer at Colorado, you know,
Pat being a longtime NFL coach, so he understand that
as well. So yeah, I think he's taking advantage of
those people close to him.
Speaker 5 (26:28):
Is there a challenge right now you've been a double
digit Is there a particular challenge for you to have
that many gas coming in?
Speaker 2 (26:36):
Potentially it's something you need to focus on with that
large part.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
Yeah, I think every year it's it's different.
Speaker 6 (26:43):
Sometimes you have a few more picks than others, and
this year is certainly you're looking to get quality players
and quality people that you want to bring into your building.
And then you know, a big part of what we
do as coaches and certainly as an organization is is
player development. That that's a big piece of this. So
you're not getting finished products in April. You're getting guys
that you're going to bring along in a bunch of
different areas, certainly with in terms of ex's and o's,
(27:05):
but also just in teaching them this game. Teaching them
this this job that they're embarking upon, and then when
you get them yeah, yeah, yeah, I think the the
twenty minutes here is important. I think you can learn
(27:25):
a little bit, albeit quickly. Uh So you try to
put some tape on or get them on the board,
whatever you do. I know different teams have different philosophies there,
but I think you do get something out of these meetings.
For sure, you get a feel for the person, feel
for the player, how.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
They see the game.
Speaker 6 (27:40):
And then, like you mentioned, you bring guys to Cleveland
and you have those thirty visits. Now you can spend
a day with them and you can some things that
teams do. And you know, we have a version of
this is you can install plays to them. You can
walk through those plays, you can put them on the
board and see how they retain those plays. So there's
a lot to learn. And uh, this is a piece
of it. This combine is a piece of it. The
(28:01):
thirty visits are a piece of it, The pro days
are a piece of it.
Speaker 3 (28:03):
All. All of it's uh, a big evaluation. It's all encompassing.
Speaker 6 (28:18):
Don't have it finalized, but we'll be on the road
at some of them yes, yes, yes, yeah, Yeah, very
very impressed with Cam as well, just his career where
he's been is a unique path, but knows football really well.
Was very impressed with his meeting in terms of his
recall going back to his Washington State days and how
(28:38):
he saw defense, how he progressed, how how his processing worked.
Speaker 3 (28:42):
He kind of could talk through all that. I was
very impressed with the young man. Yeah. Also talk to Jalen. Yeah,
did a nice job.
Speaker 6 (28:50):
You know, Tommy Greese was with Jalen at Alabama, so
spent a year with him, so kind of can explain
to me what type of person he is. And he
was great, great personnel. Again, fun to watch him talk
through their plays. A very competitive kid. He did a
nice show.
Speaker 2 (29:07):
The number one drink.
Speaker 3 (29:13):
Is the number one when quarterback.
Speaker 6 (29:17):
Yeah, decision making obviously is very high on the list,
whether it's one, two, three, Accuracy being very important as well,
but decision making and like we just talked about processing,
I think every single plays a quarterback, Uh, there you're
doing something whether it's a run check or it's a
a you know, emotion, a decision that you're making, uh
based on a safety's depth, all those type of things.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
Factor into decision making. Yeah, really say very similar.
Speaker 6 (29:48):
Yes, Uh to your point, Tony, I think you want
to make sure you're you can compare apples and apples
if you will, But then when you put the tape on,
you're really watching their tape, having them talk through their
place it.
Speaker 3 (30:04):
Is Uh.
Speaker 6 (30:04):
Yeah, I mean I think it's all of the All
of these are important to varying degrees. I think accuracy obviously,
that innate ability to put the ball where it needs
to be is important. I've been around guys that you
wouldn't say have big arms quote unquote from arm strength
and still get it done. So I think all these
players are different, all their traits are different. So that's
where it's so important for us right now down here
(30:26):
on the thirty visits on the pro days, just to
get to know the person, get to.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Know the player.
Speaker 1 (30:46):
Point.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Yeah, I think that's not the NFL.
Speaker 6 (30:50):
I think if you look across the NFL, you have
to be ready to pivot in a season, in a
you know, the first quarter of the third game, you
have to be ready to go if something changes. So
I think you've seen different schemes, different coaches, different people,
have varying styles as part of their scheme.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
That's just part of the evolution of football.
Speaker 6 (31:14):
Yeah, disappointed with Said's injury towards the end of the
season where that really took him out of playing at
a really high level for us. So excited for him
to finally be healthy now and looking forward to a
really good third year from him.
Speaker 2 (31:27):
That fits talent.
Speaker 6 (31:34):
I think it's our job as coaches to fit talent
into our schemes.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
And I'm talking.
Speaker 6 (31:39):
Offense, defense, special teams. You're always looking for talented football players.
You don't want to just look only for scheme fit,
because then that will take you away from taking maybe
a more talented players.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (31:59):
I wouldn't characterise it that way, Mary Kay, other than
to say, I'm really impressed by Cam Schudor. There's a
bunch of guys that that I think it's great tape.
I think they're really good kids. So, uh, there's some
really talented players at that position. But then look across
the other positions. I mean, uh, it's been a very
very impressive group as I've gotten to talk to him,
but certainly you put the tape on it, it's an
impressive group overall. He's a football player for sure. Uh, yeah,
(32:28):
I think our offensive coaches want him to be a
offensive player. Defensive coaches want him to be a defensive player.
Speaker 3 (32:33):
So, uh, we'll work.
Speaker 6 (32:35):
We'll talk through those type of things in this spring.
I think every building is going to talk through those
type of things. But he's a football player, Uh, you know,
Chuck bedn Erika the modern era. I think that's certainly
what most teams would be thinking with a player of
(32:55):
his caliber.
Speaker 3 (33:04):
Uh. Yes, yeah, I hadn't been to the East West. Yeah,
I like.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
That much.
Speaker 3 (33:15):
Yeah, I think the Senior Bowl.
Speaker 6 (33:16):
Obviously, you get on the field closer to the players.
I've been the Senior Bowl, you know, over the course
of time I've coached the Senior Bowl. Uh, and then
a lot of times you're if you're not there physically,
you're watching every rep of practice, you're watching all the interviews, uh,
those type of things. When you're there, now you can
kind of bounce around to different places. We had a
lot of coaches down there Tony.
Speaker 3 (33:35):
This year.
Speaker 6 (33:35):
We had Jacques Cesare was the defensive coordinator. Bubba Ventrone
was the head coach of the team. So that was
also important for me to get there around them, show
them some support as well, I I think certain positions
maybe y, y, you're you're. I think if you ask
(33:57):
any position coach, they'd say they want to see their
position up close and personal. So line coaches want to
see how a guard comes off the ball. Defensive line
coaches want to see how defensive end comes out of
three point stand So I think by position, certain people
feel like the seeing them in person is really important.
Speaker 2 (34:13):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (34:14):
You know, I've done a bunch of different ways, but
when you're down there, you also can see how they
interact with their teammates, how they interact with their coaches
as well.
Speaker 5 (34:21):
There's a lot of players will participate here at the combine.
Is that something you like to find out why they
chose not to participate?
Speaker 2 (34:29):
Obviously, injuries is the issue, right, Is that something that's.
Speaker 5 (34:32):
Important for you to find out why they are not?
Speaker 3 (34:35):
I think you ask and you have them talk through it.
Speaker 6 (34:37):
But I understand the dynamics at play with some of
those decisions that these guys are making, and they have
to do what they think is best for them in
this in these uh.
Speaker 3 (34:46):
Moments decision the second whole top.
Speaker 6 (34:53):
Yeah, I'm not going to get into specifics of our
conversations Tony. But uh, look, we're just talking about I
think there's obviously, in this day and age, there's a
lot of dynamics at play. I did spend time with
abdul Car was it last night? All these days are
run together, I'm sorry. Very impressive young man from Philadelphia.
(35:15):
I know a lot of people that know him from
his high school days. Impressive on the grass obviously, you
know you'll see what he can do physically, whether it's
here at his pro day.
Speaker 3 (35:24):
But did a nice job, guys.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Definitely top youngercraft guy. You like to see that.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
I mean, I'm open to all of this.
Speaker 6 (35:38):
That's the exciting part where you can envision all these
type of things and certainly adding a really good player
opposite Miles of something of course that's intriguing.
Speaker 1 (35:46):
That'll do it for this episode of the From the
Podium Podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to the
show wherever you get your podcast, keep it locked to
Cleveland Browns daily each weekday, and follow the Browns on
social media for more coverage from the Cross Country Mortgage
Campus in Borea. I'm Gabe cooler Up. Thanks for listening
to the From the Podium Podcast.
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