December 9, 2025 • 36 mins
On this episode, hear from Browns HC Kevin Stefanski, RB Dylan Sampson, and DE Alex Wright on Monday's availability following Week 14's game against the Tennessee Titans.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to this Tuesday edition of the From the Podium podcast.
I'm Gabe Kola. Browns are off today and they'll be
back in the cross Country Mortgage Campus tomorrow to begin
installing their game plan for the Chicago Bears this coming Sunday.
On this episode, you'll hear from head coach Kevin Stefanski,
running back Dylan Samson, and defensive end to Alex Wright.
Will start with head coach Kevin Stefanski, who gave a
(00:25):
disappointing injury update after Week fourteen's loss to Tennessee.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
All Right, injury Frontiston update, Ethan Posk will be out
for the season. He's getting surgery. He tours Achilles. So
obviously feeling for Ethan. He's a huge part of our team,
of our offense. We've relied heavily on him, having a
veteran center in there. So disappointed for him, but I
(00:50):
know he will bounce back. He's got the right attitude
as you guys would imagine. But disappointed for Ethan obviously
that game doesn't go our way, and just trying to
talk through it with the team this morning on the
things that the other reasons for that and the things
that we can do better. The things that we have
to do better as a football team, offense, defense, special teams, player, coaches,
(01:13):
things that we have to improve upon in games like that.
So it's frustrating. We got to learn from it, and
then we'll move on to Chicago with that. I'll take
any questions, Yeah, Kevin.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Just wondering, is should or Sanders your starter now for
the rest of the season. Yes, okay, And what is
your thinking behind that?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I think all along, Mary Kay, as you know, with
our quarterbacks and our young players, you're always making sure
that you're making the right decisions for our guys. And
I think he's he has constantly and consistently gotten better
in each one of these games and how he's approached
this game. He's been working very hard, so I feel
good about where his development is heading. He knows there
(01:56):
are always going to be plays that he can be
better and those type of things, but he's very intentional
about getting better each and every game he's out there.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Has anything surprised you about his development over these past
three starts?
Speaker 4 (02:11):
No, I wouldn't. I don't know. Surprised is the word,
Mary Kay.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I think again, we've been around each other now, going
back to April. So I've seen constant improvement in a
bunch of areas, but I also saw in that game
some areas of improvement in some areas that we asked
him to improve upon. And I think that's you know,
the fun part of coaching is developing players and giving
(02:35):
them tools to improve in certain areas if you will.
And I think the fun part is when you have
players like Shador, like our rookies whomever it may be,
that are very intentional about their own development as well.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Yeah, Kevin, I wanted to ask about the two point
conversion philosophy. I know that you guys use the probabilities
and all those type of things when making those particular
decisions about going for two. I guess my question is, like,
you guys have been doing this for a long time,
(03:10):
and the wins and losses don't seem to be equating that.
My question is how much of game flow and thing
and that factor in and can they outweigh just the
probably you know, the probabilities of hey, you're down fourteen,
you just scored, go ahead and go for two, so
(03:32):
it informs you whether or not you should kick one
or two on that second touchdown, just I'm trying to understand,
like the process and the philosophy there with going for
two with that first touchdown scored when you're down working.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, well, I think you understand the philosophy behind it.
I think I have to go into every game understanding
our team, their team, the matchups, the plays that we
have available to us, what do we like them?
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Do we not?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Those are the type of decisions that factor into the game.
Obviously you take all that information in Darryl, as you know,
in all your decisions that you make, but ultimately you're
making decisions based on the game that you're playing and
what's in front of you.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
And then just a you know, a question about Shador
and just his progress, similar to what Mary Kay was asking,
the fact that you know, he put up four touchdowns
and just his you know, third start versus what he
did in that first start at Las Vegas. Just how
pleasantly surprised are you with his progression in such a
(04:36):
short timeline, considering maybe how far he might have been
behind in training camp and maybe the first quarter of
the season.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Yeah, again, not that maybe the terms i'd use other
than tell you I've been really impressed by his work ethic,
and that's going back to since the moment he got here.
That's what we've been striving to work with him and
with all of our guys. As you know, that's been
a huge area area for us is player development of
all of our players, and I think the guys when
(05:05):
they embrace it, that's the fun part where you get
to see these guys making strides. So he's still very
early into his career, and he would tell you the same.
You want to have constant, constant improvement and everything you're doing.
There's moments in these games that come up that are
hard to replicate and practice. You can talk through them
on tape. You can talk through him and a walk through,
(05:26):
and then you get the rep in a game, and
that's the most valuable learning tool you can have. And
I think he will only take all of that and
use that to his development moving forward.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Hey, Kevin, a couple other injury questions. Do you have
an update on Denzel and David coming out of the game.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, no update other than to say what we'll see
how they are come Wednesday.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
Jack still in the protocol?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Yes, why it out this week? Yes?
Speaker 6 (05:54):
Okay, and then after you know, with time to reflect
on it, the idea of going with the hot hand
with Shader on that last two point conversion, Like, do
you have any second thoughts about it? I understand you
know why he went to the wildcat, but the fact
that he'd been playing so well, does that make you
think twice about it?
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Well?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Listen, when when you come up short, like you do,
you think about everything and what you could do differently.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Obviously, when you get in those moments, you.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Have the calls ready to roll and plays that you've
talked about pre game and throughout the week, you know
there are gonna be times where.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
You want to call back.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
There'll be times where it's it's you have success and
it didn't come off exactly how you wanted it. But
bottom line is, you know we didn't. We came up
short in both those tries. And that's where I have
to look at it and and say are there things
that we can do better? And that's that's my job
to look at it constantly.
Speaker 7 (06:43):
Hey, Kevin, I wanted to ask you about with Ethan out.
I'm assuming Luke is uh will be the starter against Chicago. Yes,
is there some benefit at least in the transition that
Shador has worked a lot with Luke over the course
of the off season and everything, you know, in terms
(07:05):
of that connection between the quarterback and center.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, I understand the question potentially, but I think those
guys all work really well together. You know, throughout this offseason, Chris,
they've all kind of gotten reps with different guys. So
I think Luke's somebody that you know, when you're playing
that position, the center position, we put a lot on
your plate, and when you're working with Poe and your
(07:33):
Poe's backup, you really have to lock in and understand
all that. And Luke has worked very hard, so he's
he's done a nice job of making sure he's ready
to roll in any instance that we may need him.
And I think he'll be ready to roll in.
Speaker 7 (07:46):
This one one last question then on shoudor in just
his pocket presence and you know how you know, one
of the issues that seemed like you had early on
was drifting a lot, you know, and drifting backwards. It
seems like he's doing a job more consistent job of
staying within the pocket, giving out obviously when he needs to.
Speaker 8 (08:04):
But just how have you seen him grow in that
regard in his game?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, that's definitely been an area of focus for him
that I think he continues to improve.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I think there were multiple plays.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
In that game where there was really good evidence of
really good footwork, footwork that you can coach off of
that you want to, you know, point out that this
is exactly drill work. This is what you're working on
on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It's showing up here on Sunday.
Speaker 9 (08:30):
Kevin, Hi, was it a mistake not to start shut earlier?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Yeah, I'm not going to get into those type of things, Tony.
I'm obviously focused on what's in front of us.
Speaker 9 (08:43):
And about the second two point conversion.
Speaker 10 (08:48):
But Antonio said, after the game, you.
Speaker 9 (08:50):
Guys were repping that play back in Philadelphia. I remember
seeing it myself. But the fact is Judkins was not
with you in Philadelphia. So did he get reps Friday
on that play?
Speaker 10 (09:04):
He did?
Speaker 8 (09:06):
How did he do?
Speaker 4 (09:07):
We ran the play?
Speaker 2 (09:08):
So you know, Tony, bottom line is it's we'll always
look at things that we can do better.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
But I trust our guys.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
We work hard during the week to rep plays that
we may play that you may show in the game.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
But that was the that was not the issue there.
Speaker 11 (09:24):
Hey, Kevin, I had a question about the first two
point conversion attempt, So I guess following up on what
Chris was asking, was was there an issue with a
snap with Luke being in at that point and Ethan
having come out, and was there any confusion just on
the snap itself.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
You had no confusion on the snap obviously, you know
center quarterback exchanges, You don't want them to show up
in a game like that. Those guys have had plenty
of reps together that you get reps before and after
a series, those type of things, So that was unfortunate
for that to happen at that moment.
Speaker 11 (09:55):
And then like when the ball came out, it looked
like kind of like multiple guys on both teams just
standing around for a second or two, like, was there
just confusion on like the rules.
Speaker 10 (10:06):
Or what do you think?
Speaker 2 (10:07):
We actually just watched the play on Friday from the
Miami New Orleans game where there was an interception that
went back on a two point play, which you know
is a pick two you get two points for it.
So we just looked at that, Uh, it appeared to
me like we touched him down. Now, we didn't look
at it any closer because the result was what it was,
but the guys know the rules there.
Speaker 12 (10:27):
Hey, Kevin, I have two questions. Two years ago, your
special teams were really good. Well, why do you think
there have been so many issues this year?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, it's something that well, we look at really week
to week, Jeff, on things that we can improve upon.
Obviously disappointed in yesterday and some of the things that
happened yesterday that can't happen, But that's something we look
at every week.
Speaker 12 (10:50):
And then your defense has been so good against the run.
What happened there yesterday?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, like you said, we've we've been very good in
that area.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
It's uncharacteristic for us. We'll get back to work.
Speaker 6 (11:02):
Kevin.
Speaker 13 (11:03):
Kind of off of that that run, stop and defense question.
Obviously your first game without Malike Collins, was any of
that felt Maybe the loss of him and trying to
as you said, you couldn't replace You can't replace him.
You just have to have guys step up for him.
Maybe the ramping up and getting them used to that
that kind of role.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
You know, Cam.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Obviously, Malik's a big part of who we are and
our success and our you know, our culture and all
those things. So he's of course you're going to miss him,
but we expect the guys that are in there.
Speaker 13 (11:33):
To do their job and sticking on the defense, Alex right,
Isaah MacGuire able to go in that one. Did you
see them need to maybe ramp up a little bit
at coming back from their injuries and what are you
expecting from them in these last.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Four I thought there were some good moments from both
those guys. Obviously, when you're coming off injury, there's you're
definitely only going to improve, So I think they'll be
even better next week.
Speaker 14 (11:55):
Kevin, just on analytics in general, because I know everybody
uses them a lot throughout the league, now specially you guys.
How much do you balance the analytics and the numbers
over maybe having a young roster when it comes to
making the decisions like going for two and all of that.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yeah, I don't know if the young roster necessarily factors
into that decision.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Joe.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
I think every decision you make is based on I mean,
you can say analytics, but you know how good the
defense is on a short yardage, what their percentage is
of stopping the other team is statistics and use that
to make your decisions. And then you look at the
matchups and your players versus their players.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
So I think it's.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Certainly a tool and it's information to take in, but
I think there's so much that goes into decisions when
you're making them. The decision to go for two when
you're down, you know, to start the series at fourteen.
That's also based on the plays you have available to you,
the matchups, those type of things. So I don't think
it's ever just a black and white picture, if you will, and.
Speaker 14 (13:00):
Then just a game Sunday. I think two D and
thirty receiving yards after to catch. It seems like Shador
during his three starts has been good about finding the
open receivers and letting them operate in open space. Is
that one of the areas of his game where you've
(13:21):
seen progress too, where you've been able to get yards
after to catch where maybe you didn't early in the season.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I wouldn't compare it to early in the season. I
would tell you when you talk about rack and those
type of things, I think it's it's it's there's a
lot of dimensions to that, but certainly the accuracy of
the throw factors into it. When you can put the
throw or the receiver or the tight end or the
running back doesn't have to break stride. That allows you
to maximize your speed throughout the route into the play,
(13:52):
and then it's the receivers winning versus man. I think
Jerry's route, his big touchdown was versus man. He won,
and he won he won with a lot of separations,
So I think it all factors into it.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Yeah, just wondering, Kevin, now that you guys are officially
eliminated from playoff contention, what's your confidence level that you
have the infrastructure, the leadership group in place to make
sure that these guys are going to be out there
just fighting all the way to the end and playing
as hard as they have been.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Yeah, we know it's in front of us, Mary, kay,
and that's all that we'll focus on. We got a
big test this week in Chicago. That's the most important
thing in front of us.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
Karen.
Speaker 9 (14:31):
When you guys broke down the fifty three roster in
September with thirteen or fourteen rookies first year players, how
much of an understanding was there in the organization that
this was going to be tough to win with that
many rookies. And here's your expectations overall been higher or
lower than what we're getting here at three and ten.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
All I would tell you, Tony is that the guys
who are on the roster are guys that I trust,
we trust. I don't get caught up in that type
of thing other than say that these young players that
we're counting on continue to get better and they got
the right attitude.
Speaker 6 (15:09):
Yeah, and I guess it relates to what Tony just
asked you. But given you're playing so many rookies, especially
on offense and key roles, is it just a cost
of doing business that there's going to be mistakes and
sometimes those mistakes are in really critical moments.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
I mean in the sense that young players make mistakes. Sure,
but we trust our guys. You know, these guys.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Part of making mistake is you're learning from it and
you're going to get better at it. I've told you
guys many, many times, and this is still true that
this rookie class, especially the rookie class because we're talking
about them, they have the right attitude. They've worked like
crazy since the moment they've been here. They keep the
main thing, the main thing, and that's what we'll continue
(15:52):
to do. We'll just focus on the work and what's
in front of us.
Speaker 6 (15:55):
And I guess specifically, after like the two point play
with Quinn Shine, what do you say to him when
it doesn't go like you guys wanted.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
It to go.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Yeah, I'll keep all those conversations between our guys internal.
But we trust Quinchewn, I trust all of our young guys,
and we'll just continue to.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Work at it and that's what we'll do up next.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Running Back Dylan Samson spoke about having a next play mentality.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
Hey, Dylan, we heard from Kevin Stefanski today that he
has named Shador Sanders the starter for the final four
games of the season, And I'm just wondering what impact
does that have on you personally and maybe you know
you guys just as a football team.
Speaker 15 (16:39):
I mean, we're still going to go and prepare the
same way we've been preparing, Like how he's being named
the start of these past two games.
Speaker 10 (16:47):
We're such a.
Speaker 15 (16:48):
All we have is this week, you know, So we're
just gonna prepare like you know, we've been prepared.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
And just what I know, I talked to you a
little bit about this yesterday, but just what have you
seen where have you seen the most growth in him
over the past three starts, just.
Speaker 15 (17:05):
You know, him getting comfortable within the scheme and stuff.
But I feel like mainly just building the chemistry with
you know, just our offense, our skill players, you know,
our offensive line. I can see that growing day in
day out at practice and you can see it's showing
up in the game.
Speaker 13 (17:22):
Yil, And you mentioned that that chemistry on the offense
for you guys in the in the run game. How
have you seen maybe in games that the run game
isn't able to get going and you enter that next
week of preparation, how do you see you guys kind
of working together to try to try to build on that,
to try to find maybe blocking lanes for you guys,
to create some of that chemistry to improve it in
(17:44):
the next week.
Speaker 10 (17:46):
Yeah, I think it just starts with the preparation.
Speaker 15 (17:49):
You know, have to you know, dissect Chicago's film and
you know, really see what they do well and kind
of what they lack against, and just taking every practice
and every day intension, you know, meeting with the old line,
making sure we're all on the same point. You know,
when it gets time to Sunday, it's just you know
about effort and physicality, and we have full trust that
(18:10):
collectively will be able to do that.
Speaker 13 (18:13):
How big of a challenge then, is it too? When
you know all the all the injuries to the offensive
line Ethan Posick out for the season now, and the
kind of the change of tackles and guard How difficult
is that chemistry? And what does that look like for
you guys as you have swapped in offensive line and
trying to work with them.
Speaker 15 (18:31):
Yeah, nobody ever wants to see like an injury, you know,
like Poles. You know, I pray that you know, he
heals up, you know, and you know in great time
and quickly. But definitely playing that old line position is
a hard position to play, you know, especially that center position.
You know, you kind of lead the charge, you make
the calls, you know, and you bring all those guys together.
(18:55):
So those five up front, you know, it's one of
the only positions who don't about during the game.
Speaker 10 (19:00):
So it's a testament to.
Speaker 15 (19:02):
The chemistry that you build and you build from off
season to the season, you know. So it's a physical position.
It's a you have to be smart to play that position.
But you know, this is this is the league you
know you're gonna deal with injuries, and you know, now
it's time for guys to you know, step up and
you know, take advantage of their opportunity, and we have
full confidence that they will.
Speaker 11 (19:22):
Hey, Dylan, I know I talked to you yesterday about
that next play mentality you have after a play like
the fumble and then you come back and you know
next drive have some successful games, but like Quinn Shawn,
since you've worked so much with him, when there's that
moment with the wildcat, it doesn't work out at the
end of the game like that, Like, how are you
trying to pick him up as somebody you've spent a
(19:44):
lot of time with and handling a moment like that?
Speaker 15 (19:48):
I think sometimes, you know, it's just when you develop
connections with players, you know. I mean, he's the type
of person where you know, sometimes you don't need to
say anything, you know. I know that moment kind of
hurt because it it's almost like there is no like
next play mentality, you know with that play.
Speaker 10 (20:05):
But all you can do is.
Speaker 15 (20:07):
Come in the next day and you know, you you
you let everybody know that we got your back, you know,
the same way my teammates did with me. You know,
nobody wants to mess up, you know nobody. You know,
we don't like do this intentionally. You know it's going
to happen. You know, plays are going to be made,
So you know, now it's about just adjusting and bouncing
back this week, you know, and Gwen Sean like we
build that relationship where you know, I know what it
(20:28):
is with him, you know he know what it is
with me. So we lift each other up and you know,
we just keep making sure we're ready to go mentally
and physically.
Speaker 11 (20:37):
And then just for you, in the past game yesterday,
I know you caught five of six targets, and you've
had other games like that where you catch like all
your targets or all but one of your targets. Can
you just talk about your your connection with Shador on
some of those plays. And you know you've talked before
about when you went through that stretch of not getting
a ton of touches, how important it is for you
(20:58):
to capitalize when they come you here right.
Speaker 10 (21:00):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 15 (21:01):
So it's it's a fine line you gotta walk because
you don't want to make yourself feel too much pressure
or make the moment bigger than what it is.
Speaker 10 (21:08):
You know, it just goes back to routine. You know.
Speaker 15 (21:11):
If there's certain routes that I have in a game
plan and certain things that I know, we practice on
sdor pulled me after practice and we work on them,
you know, work on the landmarks, work on the different looks,
you know, and so when it comes in the game,
it's just a routine thing. When we get the look
that we want, you know, it's something we practice.
Speaker 10 (21:29):
You know, he talks in the huddle.
Speaker 15 (21:31):
He talks to me when we get out the huddle,
you know, like go in, go in on this route,
I got you, you know, stuff like that.
Speaker 10 (21:36):
You know, so I mean we got somebody like that.
It's like you got to make a play, you know.
Speaker 15 (21:40):
So it's definitely nice having that, But it's just due
to the work that we put in prior to game day.
Speaker 12 (21:47):
Hey hey, Dilan, how would you chart your own progress
through thirteen games?
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Now?
Speaker 15 (21:56):
You know, I could definitely see consistent growth, you know,
just been an up, you know, kind of up and
down battle kind of throughout the middle of the stretch
of the season with playing time and stuff. But I
could definitely you know, feel me getting my you just
my feet and the ground, getting more comfortable in this league,
you know, and I'm continuing to grow with each and
every game, you know, So I'm learning from the positives
(22:19):
and the negatives, you know.
Speaker 10 (22:20):
So I think I'm definitely trending in the right direction.
Speaker 12 (22:24):
And then blitz pick up and the blocking that we
don't concentrate on.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
How's that improved for you?
Speaker 15 (22:32):
I think when I do get an opportunity to either
help Chip or pick up Blitz or recognize Blitz, you know,
it's not a problem. You know, I'm gonna go in
there and give my all to make sure that that
person doesn't touch our quarterback.
Speaker 6 (22:45):
Hey, Dylan, you know we've the rookie classes obviously had
such a huge impact, but there's been ups and downs.
We saw some of those yesterday. Do you think that's
just natural that there's gonna be growing pains when you're
playing as many rookies as you guys are.
Speaker 10 (23:00):
Yes, it's definitely.
Speaker 15 (23:00):
I mean, you have at one point on the field
all the skilled players or rookies besides Jerry Judy. I mean,
but I don't think there's any other team whose rookies
are contributing as much as this, just collectively. So I mean,
you know, coaches understand it, but you know it's not
an excuse. You know, we go to practice, we go
to work. You know, it's time to grow, you know,
(23:23):
and I believe that is what we're doing. You know,
we can week out, you know, but we got each
other back, and we just gonna keep on growing and climbing,
you know, and continue trying to impact this team in
a positive way.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
You know, you hear that phrase, he's not a rookie
anymore because he's been in the league, you know, because
it's weak whatever. Do you still feel like a rookie
though out there.
Speaker 15 (23:44):
I never even tried to, like feel like that. I
just always felt like a football player, just trying to
learn and you know, take my game to another level.
And that's all it is, you know. I mean, even
if you know it's not a whole bunch of rookies
out there, you know, it's still other other people who
are liable to make those same mistakes, you know, who've
been in the league for six years, seven years. You know,
(24:06):
it's football, and ultimately it comes down to, you know,
did you make the play when you needed to make
the play? You know, that's the difference between a lot
of these close games, and I believe we will continue
to grow in that area and make those plays and
I give up those negative plays, you know, when they
need to happen.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Finally, defensive end Alex Wright, who talked about getting back
on the field after his quad injury.
Speaker 11 (24:27):
Hey, Alex, I just want to start asking about the
run defense yesterday and especially from watching the film back,
what were they able to do against you guys, especially
Pollard on those couple of really long runs.
Speaker 16 (24:40):
I mean the runs were pretty simple. I'm gonna just
say that we didn't do it we were supposed to do.
That's something that we practiced all week and stuff like that.
Just in the Crazy Party, it was just little tweaks,
you know, little alignments and stuff like that that was
which could have helped a whole lot better. So just
watching the film and stuff like that, when you look
(25:02):
back on the film, it's really not much of what
they did. You know, don't get me wrong, but you
know that's they had a good run of playing. But
just looking back at it, we kind of messed ourselves up.
And that's just starting where we're supposed to be, you know,
in in our gaps and stuff like that. You know,
just little tweets and stuff that we were supposed to
be that we wasn't in. So, just certain stuff that
(25:24):
we can't do, you know, because there would be you know,
a good back slight poller that's gonna make us regret
it if we don't, you know, handle our responsibility. So
and you know that's that just wasn't us.
Speaker 11 (25:35):
And then I wanted to ask you about Miles's sack
because I know you were right there too. Was that
an instance for you? Were you trying to help him
get that solo sack? I saw you guys laughing on
the sideline after it looked like maybe you kind of
corralled him towards Miles a little bit. So what went
on on that play?
Speaker 16 (25:54):
I knew that I got the sack with somebody, but
I didn't know who it was until you know, I
got up and I turned around and was like, oh,
it was Miles. I was like, okay, So then they
look at the feem me like I thought. I thought
I got to him first and stuff like that. You know,
we're just cratching, cracking jokes and stuff like that. I
was like, yeah, I said, I probably pushed them to you,
(26:16):
just like you said. I said, I probably did push
you to you know, just trying to help you get
to your record. And he was like, nah, I get
get your sex gets what you're going. I said, okay,
but you know what I'm saying, if they do it,
if it do come out people speculating and I helped
you and stuff like that, I will be looking for reward.
Speaker 8 (26:30):
Like stuff like that.
Speaker 16 (26:31):
You know, we just we're just joking around, but just
we're just just trying to rush as a unit, that's all,
you know. And when we get get our chance to rushes,
but at first we have to stop to run. But
if we stop to run, then we get a chance
to rush. And when we get a chance to rush,
you know, things like that happen.
Speaker 12 (26:46):
Yeah, I was imagine asked you about the run defense too,
So then I'll amend that question. Then are the teams
that you're playing these last four weeks? Are they gonna
watch that film and say, hey, we now we could
do success doing this against the Brons.
Speaker 8 (27:05):
I mean it's a copycare league.
Speaker 16 (27:06):
I mean it would be you know, bad to not
think that, you know, if they was the opposing team.
I mean the way I look at it is you
look at film to study your opponent and know what
you know, of course, the ins and out, what they struggled,
What are they're good at, what are what are the perks,
what are the pros, what are the cons? You know,
just looking at you know, the little stuff that leads
(27:29):
up to the big pictures. It's kind of like it's
kind of like drawing bowls and stuff like that, what
can we use against them and stuff like that. So
at the end of the day, I'm pretty sure they will.
But at the end of the day, it's about, you know,
what we have going on to prevent it from being
like a chain of events, like kind of like just
I want I want to say a chain of events
(27:49):
like just just just stop the train while it's ahead,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 8 (27:52):
So that that's pretty much what it is.
Speaker 16 (27:55):
I mean, we're going against Chicago next week, and you
know they got you know, Ben Johnson as the head coach,
so you know the type of the office schemes he
put together. That's just about every run play, every type
of run that they have they can utilize. So I'm
pretty sure they would look at this game and go
to the drawing board.
Speaker 8 (28:14):
But at the end of the day.
Speaker 16 (28:15):
It's about us getting better and going back to the
day one basis of who we are so and that
that begins with stopping a run. We can't rest without,
you know, if we want to rest the past, we
got to stop the run. Just playing sample.
Speaker 6 (28:28):
How the quad field coming back after missing time, and
just how difficult was that having to set out for
those three games.
Speaker 8 (28:36):
It was very difficult.
Speaker 16 (28:37):
I mean, nobody wants to sit out, That's what I
want to say.
Speaker 8 (28:43):
Be personally, I don't like sitting out. I don't. I
tried to come back, you know, for the same Frank game.
Speaker 16 (28:49):
But you know, just just with the history of quad
strings and stuff like that, you know, there could be
one role move and you can you know, you can reaggorate.
Now you're back sitting out three more weeks and you know,
just trying to take the risk. So, you know, just
me talking with the you know, the training staff and
stuff like that, we just decided it was best, you know,
just just you know, just be patient and whenever you're comfortable,
(29:11):
you know, just you know, just let us know. But
we are gonna be, you know, keeping the eye out
for you just in case.
Speaker 8 (29:16):
So but.
Speaker 16 (29:18):
One I hated coming back in cold Weaving. I hated that,
but also it was more of I was just I
didn't care about my quiet. It's like I signed up
to play game football, Like, this's gonna be Nixon bruises,
it's gonna be injuries, it's gonna like, at the end
of the day, as long as you're mentally tough, then.
Speaker 8 (29:35):
We I'm not. I'm not worried about my court.
Speaker 16 (29:38):
I don't worry about going out there and helping helping
my team, you know, make plays and stuff like that.
So the more I warmed up, the more better I felt.
I didn't really think about it and stuff like that.
But other than that, shoot, I'm just happy to be
back out there on the field.
Speaker 9 (29:53):
Hey, Alex, I just wanted to clarify something on this sack.
Were you awarded a half a sack by the coaches today?
In film review?
Speaker 8 (30:03):
The crazy right? What happened in film?
Speaker 16 (30:05):
He looked at me, and he looked at Miles and
he looked at me again, and I said, you know what.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
It is?
Speaker 16 (30:12):
What it is, man, I'm not as as long as
we get the quarterback down, I don't care who gets
to sack. I mean, would you I mean, it would
be good to go towards my status, but I don't
care about stats.
Speaker 8 (30:24):
That's not my thing.
Speaker 16 (30:25):
I've never been the type of person to, oh, I
need to get this, I need to get that, I
need to get Like my thing is I'm My main
idea since high school was the quote unquote killed the
man with the football.
Speaker 8 (30:36):
So just just having.
Speaker 16 (30:38):
That that little moment in there with Miles, you know,
it was just like you know, we we looked at it,
we wanted it back, we slow we put it in
slow motion to see who got to him first, and
stuff like that. I complete my case as much as
I want to, but he's gonna plead his case.
Speaker 8 (30:53):
But at the end of the day, we're just happy
we got him down.
Speaker 16 (30:55):
Like we it's a friendly competition and we always say that,
even with Miles Is as freakies of an athlete is.
I always make jokes of, you know, I'm having no
party at the quarterback, like you're gonna pull up or
you know what I'm saying stuff like that. So just
having that type of competitive nurture about us and just
being out there on the field that just, you know,
showed what type of chemistry we have, Like restling the quarterback.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Yes, Alex Kevin told us today that that Shador Standers
is going to be the starter for the final four
games of the season, and just wondering from a defensive standpoint,
what does that mean to you? You know, just with
the energy and the lift that that he kind of
brings over there.
Speaker 16 (31:36):
He brings, he brings the energy of his own like
his Shador has been the same person since he stepped
foot in Cleveland, Like there's noting change about him. He's
always the happy, gold lucky person that's in the locker room,
always shaking people hands, making jokes and stuff like that.
And then when it's time to you know, put on
the paths and put on the hipt, it's time to work.
Like even when I, you know, I come into the facility,
(31:57):
I see him in the office every day with coach Sewanski,
like just going over films and stuff like that. So
it's it's it's it's unnoticeable. It's noticeable on my part
because I'm an exervant person. When I come in, I
don't really say much. I don't really know because I'm
not a more I'm not a morning person, so I
keep my head down and stuff like that. But uh,
I see him in there asking questions and he's not
afraid to ask questions. So just for him to be,
(32:20):
you know, that poised rookie and stuff like that, that's
not afraid to go out there, you know and.
Speaker 8 (32:24):
Throw the football. Of course, there's he's a rookie.
Speaker 16 (32:27):
There's always gonna be there's always gonna be mistakes in
the game of football. There's always gonna be, mister Simons,
there's always gonna be miss missed opportunities and stuff like that.
Speaker 8 (32:35):
That's just part of it, you know.
Speaker 16 (32:36):
It's the fact that you could go up and do
it again the next play. So I feel like with
you know, Shador, we just you know, gonna take the
next steps. We're gonna be behind them and just keep
you know, keep keep checking at home, and keep telling
him to be who he is. So at the end
of the day, I got nothing but love for Shador,
you know, and I just want him to see just
(32:57):
like everybody else on the team.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
And then if you don't mind, we also found out
today that Ethan Postach is out for the season with
a ruptured achilles And I'm sure that you you know that,
I'm sure you feel really bad for him, So just
wondering what is your reaction to that.
Speaker 8 (33:15):
For him heartbreaking. It's kind of you never be personally.
Speaker 16 (33:20):
I know, I feel good to hear that out for
the season, like, so you know, the main thing is
just he was in the turning room that you know,
he was in the hot spirits, So you know, I
just know it's gonna be a long journey for him.
But knowing knowing Ethan as a person, he may not
say much. He may be, you know, the type person
if you say something, you know he'll say something back.
But one thing about Ethan, he always have have his
(33:44):
stuff together. He's always one of the first ones dressed
out there working on stuff. Like he's the one of
the epitome of like a vent that knows how this works.
He knows what to do, he knows what to do
in such situations. He's just one of those vets as
you go to if you need advice and stuff like that.
So for him, I know he's going to take their
(34:04):
rehab and stuff like that. So I have no doubt.
But you know, just to hear you know out for
the season, it's kind of like a it's kind of
like a stab to the stab to the chess because
that's that's one of our that's one of our our
nuclears of the team.
Speaker 13 (34:18):
So hey, Alex, I know you guys play hard for
each other every week and doesn't matter whether you're you're
in playoff contention or not. But you, personally, I know
guys have to find motivation at this point of a season.
What do you what do you personally play for? What
is your motivation when you know that mathematically, statistically you
(34:41):
cannot make a playoff.
Speaker 16 (34:42):
The name on my back and where I'm from, I
feel like it's just you got people that look up
to you. And my mama will always say, you got
people that you don't even know. You got kids that
you don't know that that look up to you. The
thing is with me, it just plays an aspect of
you know, the key it's my family, the friends to
(35:03):
support people you know, back from college and stuff like that.
But also the fact that that's not how I was raised, Like,
I'm not raised to quit. I don't care if we're
down forty. I don't care if we're down three and
they're they're about to kneel the ball out, I don't care.
That's just not my that's not my nature to quit.
It's never been my nature to quit. And I don't,
you know, quit on my teammates. I don't quit on
(35:24):
the coaches. I don't quit on anybody. That's just me.
I'm not going to give up just because there's just
because he's not making the playoffs. Yeah, that sucks, but
at the end of the day, it's still film. That's
still film out there, Like you don't want to look
at yourself on film and know that you're not giving
a hundred percent because now you're cheating yourself and you're
cheating the team.
Speaker 8 (35:41):
And that's what I don't condone.
Speaker 16 (35:43):
That's not I don't condone nobody else doing that, and
I wouldn't condone myself doing that because at the end
of the day, I am my hardest critic. So win,
lose a draw, not even one, it's still gonna be
the same person regardless. So that's just my will and
that's just who I am. I'm I never say that attitude.
They like I said, with the injury, I was mad
that I couldn't come back for San France like I
(36:05):
was heated. So just for just for me to have
that type of drive, like you know, I just want
to be that type of energy person, just to spread
that out in THEO D line room, and that's something
we spoke about today. These last four games are important
because this drives into next ship.
Speaker 4 (36:19):
That'll do it.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
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 right here
in Berea. I'm Gabe Klea. Thanks for listening to the
From the Podium Podcast.
Welcome to this Tuesday edition of the From the Podium podcast.
I'm Gabe Kola. Browns are off today and they'll be
back in the cross Country Mortgage Campus tomorrow to begin
installing their game plan for the Chicago Bears this coming Sunday.
On this episode, you'll hear from head coach Kevin Stefanski,
running back Dylan Samson, and defensive end to Alex Wright.
Will start with head coach Kevin Stefanski, who gave a
(00:25):
disappointing injury update after Week fourteen's loss to Tennessee.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
All Right, injury Frontiston update, Ethan Posk will be out
for the season. He's getting surgery. He tours Achilles. So
obviously feeling for Ethan. He's a huge part of our team,
of our offense. We've relied heavily on him, having a
veteran center in there. So disappointed for him, but I
(00:50):
know he will bounce back. He's got the right attitude
as you guys would imagine. But disappointed for Ethan obviously
that game doesn't go our way, and just trying to
talk through it with the team this morning on the
things that the other reasons for that and the things
that we can do better. The things that we have
to do better as a football team, offense, defense, special teams, player, coaches,
(01:13):
things that we have to improve upon in games like that.
So it's frustrating. We got to learn from it, and
then we'll move on to Chicago with that. I'll take
any questions, Yeah, Kevin.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Just wondering, is should or Sanders your starter now for
the rest of the season. Yes, okay, And what is
your thinking behind that?
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I think all along, Mary Kay, as you know, with
our quarterbacks and our young players, you're always making sure
that you're making the right decisions for our guys. And
I think he's he has constantly and consistently gotten better
in each one of these games and how he's approached
this game. He's been working very hard, so I feel
good about where his development is heading. He knows there
(01:56):
are always going to be plays that he can be
better and those type of things, but he's very intentional
about getting better each and every game he's out there.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Has anything surprised you about his development over these past
three starts?
Speaker 4 (02:11):
No, I wouldn't. I don't know. Surprised is the word,
Mary Kay.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
I think again, we've been around each other now, going
back to April. So I've seen constant improvement in a
bunch of areas, but I also saw in that game
some areas of improvement in some areas that we asked
him to improve upon. And I think that's you know,
the fun part of coaching is developing players and giving
(02:35):
them tools to improve in certain areas if you will.
And I think the fun part is when you have
players like Shador, like our rookies whomever it may be,
that are very intentional about their own development as well.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Yeah, Kevin, I wanted to ask about the two point
conversion philosophy. I know that you guys use the probabilities
and all those type of things when making those particular
decisions about going for two. I guess my question is, like,
you guys have been doing this for a long time,
(03:10):
and the wins and losses don't seem to be equating that.
My question is how much of game flow and thing
and that factor in and can they outweigh just the
probably you know, the probabilities of hey, you're down fourteen,
you just scored, go ahead and go for two, so
(03:32):
it informs you whether or not you should kick one
or two on that second touchdown, just I'm trying to understand,
like the process and the philosophy there with going for
two with that first touchdown scored when you're down working.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Yeah, well, I think you understand the philosophy behind it.
I think I have to go into every game understanding
our team, their team, the matchups, the plays that we
have available to us, what do we like them?
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Do we not?
Speaker 2 (03:57):
Those are the type of decisions that factor into the game.
Obviously you take all that information in Darryl, as you know,
in all your decisions that you make, but ultimately you're
making decisions based on the game that you're playing and
what's in front of you.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
And then just a you know, a question about Shador
and just his progress, similar to what Mary Kay was asking,
the fact that you know, he put up four touchdowns
and just his you know, third start versus what he
did in that first start at Las Vegas. Just how
pleasantly surprised are you with his progression in such a
(04:36):
short timeline, considering maybe how far he might have been
behind in training camp and maybe the first quarter of
the season.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Yeah, again, not that maybe the terms i'd use other
than tell you I've been really impressed by his work ethic,
and that's going back to since the moment he got here.
That's what we've been striving to work with him and
with all of our guys. As you know, that's been
a huge area area for us is player development of
all of our players, and I think the guys when
(05:05):
they embrace it, that's the fun part where you get
to see these guys making strides. So he's still very
early into his career, and he would tell you the same.
You want to have constant, constant improvement and everything you're doing.
There's moments in these games that come up that are
hard to replicate and practice. You can talk through them
on tape. You can talk through him and a walk through,
(05:26):
and then you get the rep in a game, and
that's the most valuable learning tool you can have. And
I think he will only take all of that and
use that to his development moving forward.
Speaker 6 (05:37):
Hey, Kevin, a couple other injury questions. Do you have
an update on Denzel and David coming out of the game.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yeah, no update other than to say what we'll see
how they are come Wednesday.
Speaker 6 (05:48):
Jack still in the protocol?
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Yes, why it out this week? Yes?
Speaker 6 (05:54):
Okay, and then after you know, with time to reflect
on it, the idea of going with the hot hand
with Shader on that last two point conversion, Like, do
you have any second thoughts about it? I understand you
know why he went to the wildcat, but the fact
that he'd been playing so well, does that make you
think twice about it?
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Well?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Listen, when when you come up short, like you do,
you think about everything and what you could do differently.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
Obviously, when you get in those moments, you.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Have the calls ready to roll and plays that you've
talked about pre game and throughout the week, you know
there are gonna be times where.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
You want to call back.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
There'll be times where it's it's you have success and
it didn't come off exactly how you wanted it. But
bottom line is, you know we didn't. We came up
short in both those tries. And that's where I have
to look at it and and say are there things
that we can do better? And that's that's my job
to look at it constantly.
Speaker 7 (06:43):
Hey, Kevin, I wanted to ask you about with Ethan out.
I'm assuming Luke is uh will be the starter against Chicago. Yes,
is there some benefit at least in the transition that
Shador has worked a lot with Luke over the course
of the off season and everything, you know, in terms
(07:05):
of that connection between the quarterback and center.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, I understand the question potentially, but I think those
guys all work really well together. You know, throughout this offseason, Chris,
they've all kind of gotten reps with different guys. So
I think Luke's somebody that you know, when you're playing
that position, the center position, we put a lot on
your plate, and when you're working with Poe and your
(07:33):
Poe's backup, you really have to lock in and understand
all that. And Luke has worked very hard, so he's
he's done a nice job of making sure he's ready
to roll in any instance that we may need him.
And I think he'll be ready to roll in.
Speaker 7 (07:46):
This one one last question then on shoudor in just
his pocket presence and you know how you know, one
of the issues that seemed like you had early on
was drifting a lot, you know, and drifting backwards. It
seems like he's doing a job more consistent job of
staying within the pocket, giving out obviously when he needs to.
Speaker 8 (08:04):
But just how have you seen him grow in that
regard in his game?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, that's definitely been an area of focus for him
that I think he continues to improve.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
I think there were multiple plays.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
In that game where there was really good evidence of
really good footwork, footwork that you can coach off of
that you want to, you know, point out that this
is exactly drill work. This is what you're working on
on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It's showing up here on Sunday.
Speaker 9 (08:30):
Kevin, Hi, was it a mistake not to start shut earlier?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Yeah, I'm not going to get into those type of things, Tony.
I'm obviously focused on what's in front of us.
Speaker 9 (08:43):
And about the second two point conversion.
Speaker 10 (08:48):
But Antonio said, after the game, you.
Speaker 9 (08:50):
Guys were repping that play back in Philadelphia. I remember
seeing it myself. But the fact is Judkins was not
with you in Philadelphia. So did he get reps Friday
on that play?
Speaker 10 (09:04):
He did?
Speaker 8 (09:06):
How did he do?
Speaker 4 (09:07):
We ran the play?
Speaker 2 (09:08):
So you know, Tony, bottom line is it's we'll always
look at things that we can do better.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
But I trust our guys.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
We work hard during the week to rep plays that
we may play that you may show in the game.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
But that was the that was not the issue there.
Speaker 11 (09:24):
Hey, Kevin, I had a question about the first two
point conversion attempt, So I guess following up on what
Chris was asking, was was there an issue with a
snap with Luke being in at that point and Ethan
having come out, and was there any confusion just on
the snap itself.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
You had no confusion on the snap obviously, you know
center quarterback exchanges, You don't want them to show up
in a game like that. Those guys have had plenty
of reps together that you get reps before and after
a series, those type of things, So that was unfortunate
for that to happen at that moment.
Speaker 11 (09:55):
And then like when the ball came out, it looked
like kind of like multiple guys on both teams just
standing around for a second or two, like, was there
just confusion on like the rules.
Speaker 10 (10:06):
Or what do you think?
Speaker 2 (10:07):
We actually just watched the play on Friday from the
Miami New Orleans game where there was an interception that
went back on a two point play, which you know
is a pick two you get two points for it.
So we just looked at that, Uh, it appeared to
me like we touched him down. Now, we didn't look
at it any closer because the result was what it was,
but the guys know the rules there.
Speaker 12 (10:27):
Hey, Kevin, I have two questions. Two years ago, your
special teams were really good. Well, why do you think
there have been so many issues this year?
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, it's something that well, we look at really week
to week, Jeff, on things that we can improve upon.
Obviously disappointed in yesterday and some of the things that
happened yesterday that can't happen, But that's something we look
at every week.
Speaker 12 (10:50):
And then your defense has been so good against the run.
What happened there yesterday?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Yeah, like you said, we've we've been very good in
that area.
Speaker 4 (11:00):
It's uncharacteristic for us. We'll get back to work.
Speaker 6 (11:02):
Kevin.
Speaker 13 (11:03):
Kind of off of that that run, stop and defense question.
Obviously your first game without Malike Collins, was any of
that felt Maybe the loss of him and trying to
as you said, you couldn't replace You can't replace him.
You just have to have guys step up for him.
Maybe the ramping up and getting them used to that
that kind of role.
Speaker 4 (11:23):
You know, Cam.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Obviously, Malik's a big part of who we are and
our success and our you know, our culture and all
those things. So he's of course you're going to miss him,
but we expect the guys that are in there.
Speaker 13 (11:33):
To do their job and sticking on the defense, Alex right,
Isaah MacGuire able to go in that one. Did you
see them need to maybe ramp up a little bit
at coming back from their injuries and what are you
expecting from them in these last.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Four I thought there were some good moments from both
those guys. Obviously, when you're coming off injury, there's you're
definitely only going to improve, So I think they'll be
even better next week.
Speaker 14 (11:55):
Kevin, just on analytics in general, because I know everybody
uses them a lot throughout the league, now specially you guys.
How much do you balance the analytics and the numbers
over maybe having a young roster when it comes to
making the decisions like going for two and all of that.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
Yeah, I don't know if the young roster necessarily factors
into that decision.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Joe.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
I think every decision you make is based on I mean,
you can say analytics, but you know how good the
defense is on a short yardage, what their percentage is
of stopping the other team is statistics and use that
to make your decisions. And then you look at the
matchups and your players versus their players.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
So I think it's.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Certainly a tool and it's information to take in, but
I think there's so much that goes into decisions when
you're making them. The decision to go for two when
you're down, you know, to start the series at fourteen.
That's also based on the plays you have available to you,
the matchups, those type of things. So I don't think
it's ever just a black and white picture, if you will, and.
Speaker 14 (13:00):
Then just a game Sunday. I think two D and
thirty receiving yards after to catch. It seems like Shador
during his three starts has been good about finding the
open receivers and letting them operate in open space. Is
that one of the areas of his game where you've
(13:21):
seen progress too, where you've been able to get yards
after to catch where maybe you didn't early in the season.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
I wouldn't compare it to early in the season. I
would tell you when you talk about rack and those
type of things, I think it's it's it's there's a
lot of dimensions to that, but certainly the accuracy of
the throw factors into it. When you can put the
throw or the receiver or the tight end or the
running back doesn't have to break stride. That allows you
to maximize your speed throughout the route into the play,
(13:52):
and then it's the receivers winning versus man. I think
Jerry's route, his big touchdown was versus man. He won,
and he won he won with a lot of separations,
So I think it all factors into it.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Yeah, just wondering, Kevin, now that you guys are officially
eliminated from playoff contention, what's your confidence level that you
have the infrastructure, the leadership group in place to make
sure that these guys are going to be out there
just fighting all the way to the end and playing
as hard as they have been.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Yeah, we know it's in front of us, Mary, kay,
and that's all that we'll focus on. We got a
big test this week in Chicago. That's the most important
thing in front of us.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
Karen.
Speaker 9 (14:31):
When you guys broke down the fifty three roster in
September with thirteen or fourteen rookies first year players, how
much of an understanding was there in the organization that
this was going to be tough to win with that
many rookies. And here's your expectations overall been higher or
lower than what we're getting here at three and ten.
Speaker 4 (14:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
All I would tell you, Tony is that the guys
who are on the roster are guys that I trust,
we trust. I don't get caught up in that type
of thing other than say that these young players that
we're counting on continue to get better and they got
the right attitude.
Speaker 6 (15:09):
Yeah, and I guess it relates to what Tony just
asked you. But given you're playing so many rookies, especially
on offense and key roles, is it just a cost
of doing business that there's going to be mistakes and
sometimes those mistakes are in really critical moments.
Speaker 4 (15:23):
I mean in the sense that young players make mistakes. Sure,
but we trust our guys. You know, these guys.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Part of making mistake is you're learning from it and
you're going to get better at it. I've told you
guys many, many times, and this is still true that
this rookie class, especially the rookie class because we're talking
about them, they have the right attitude. They've worked like
crazy since the moment they've been here. They keep the
main thing, the main thing, and that's what we'll continue
(15:52):
to do. We'll just focus on the work and what's
in front of us.
Speaker 6 (15:55):
And I guess specifically, after like the two point play
with Quinn Shine, what do you say to him when
it doesn't go like you guys wanted.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
It to go.
Speaker 2 (16:04):
Yeah, I'll keep all those conversations between our guys internal.
But we trust Quinchewn, I trust all of our young guys,
and we'll just continue to.
Speaker 4 (16:15):
Work at it and that's what we'll do up next.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Running Back Dylan Samson spoke about having a next play mentality.
Speaker 3 (16:21):
Hey, Dylan, we heard from Kevin Stefanski today that he
has named Shador Sanders the starter for the final four
games of the season, And I'm just wondering what impact
does that have on you personally and maybe you know
you guys just as a football team.
Speaker 15 (16:39):
I mean, we're still going to go and prepare the
same way we've been preparing, Like how he's being named
the start of these past two games.
Speaker 10 (16:47):
We're such a.
Speaker 15 (16:48):
All we have is this week, you know, So we're
just gonna prepare like you know, we've been prepared.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
And just what I know, I talked to you a
little bit about this yesterday, but just what have you
seen where have you seen the most growth in him
over the past three starts, just.
Speaker 15 (17:05):
You know, him getting comfortable within the scheme and stuff.
But I feel like mainly just building the chemistry with
you know, just our offense, our skill players, you know,
our offensive line. I can see that growing day in
day out at practice and you can see it's showing
up in the game.
Speaker 13 (17:22):
Yil, And you mentioned that that chemistry on the offense
for you guys in the in the run game. How
have you seen maybe in games that the run game
isn't able to get going and you enter that next
week of preparation, how do you see you guys kind
of working together to try to try to build on that,
to try to find maybe blocking lanes for you guys,
to create some of that chemistry to improve it in
(17:44):
the next week.
Speaker 10 (17:46):
Yeah, I think it just starts with the preparation.
Speaker 15 (17:49):
You know, have to you know, dissect Chicago's film and
you know, really see what they do well and kind
of what they lack against, and just taking every practice
and every day intension, you know, meeting with the old line,
making sure we're all on the same point. You know,
when it gets time to Sunday, it's just you know
about effort and physicality, and we have full trust that
(18:10):
collectively will be able to do that.
Speaker 13 (18:13):
How big of a challenge then, is it too? When
you know all the all the injuries to the offensive
line Ethan Posick out for the season now, and the
kind of the change of tackles and guard How difficult
is that chemistry? And what does that look like for
you guys as you have swapped in offensive line and
trying to work with them.
Speaker 15 (18:31):
Yeah, nobody ever wants to see like an injury, you know,
like Poles. You know, I pray that you know, he
heals up, you know, and you know in great time
and quickly. But definitely playing that old line position is
a hard position to play, you know, especially that center position.
You know, you kind of lead the charge, you make
the calls, you know, and you bring all those guys together.
(18:55):
So those five up front, you know, it's one of
the only positions who don't about during the game.
Speaker 10 (19:00):
So it's a testament to.
Speaker 15 (19:02):
The chemistry that you build and you build from off
season to the season, you know. So it's a physical position.
It's a you have to be smart to play that position.
But you know, this is this is the league you
know you're gonna deal with injuries, and you know, now
it's time for guys to you know, step up and
you know, take advantage of their opportunity, and we have
full confidence that they will.
Speaker 11 (19:22):
Hey, Dylan, I know I talked to you yesterday about
that next play mentality you have after a play like
the fumble and then you come back and you know
next drive have some successful games, but like Quinn Shawn,
since you've worked so much with him, when there's that
moment with the wildcat, it doesn't work out at the
end of the game like that, Like, how are you
trying to pick him up as somebody you've spent a
(19:44):
lot of time with and handling a moment like that?
Speaker 15 (19:48):
I think sometimes, you know, it's just when you develop
connections with players, you know. I mean, he's the type
of person where you know, sometimes you don't need to
say anything, you know. I know that moment kind of
hurt because it it's almost like there is no like
next play mentality, you know with that play.
Speaker 10 (20:05):
But all you can do is.
Speaker 15 (20:07):
Come in the next day and you know, you you
you let everybody know that we got your back, you know,
the same way my teammates did with me. You know,
nobody wants to mess up, you know nobody. You know,
we don't like do this intentionally. You know it's going
to happen. You know, plays are going to be made,
So you know, now it's about just adjusting and bouncing
back this week, you know, and Gwen Sean like we
build that relationship where you know, I know what it
(20:28):
is with him, you know he know what it is
with me. So we lift each other up and you know,
we just keep making sure we're ready to go mentally
and physically.
Speaker 11 (20:37):
And then just for you, in the past game yesterday,
I know you caught five of six targets, and you've
had other games like that where you catch like all
your targets or all but one of your targets. Can
you just talk about your your connection with Shador on
some of those plays. And you know you've talked before
about when you went through that stretch of not getting
a ton of touches, how important it is for you
(20:58):
to capitalize when they come you here right.
Speaker 10 (21:00):
Yeah, you know.
Speaker 15 (21:01):
So it's it's a fine line you gotta walk because
you don't want to make yourself feel too much pressure
or make the moment bigger than what it is.
Speaker 10 (21:08):
You know, it just goes back to routine. You know.
Speaker 15 (21:11):
If there's certain routes that I have in a game
plan and certain things that I know, we practice on
sdor pulled me after practice and we work on them,
you know, work on the landmarks, work on the different looks,
you know, and so when it comes in the game,
it's just a routine thing. When we get the look
that we want, you know, it's something we practice.
Speaker 10 (21:29):
You know, he talks in the huddle.
Speaker 15 (21:31):
He talks to me when we get out the huddle,
you know, like go in, go in on this route,
I got you, you know, stuff like that.
Speaker 10 (21:36):
You know, so I mean we got somebody like that.
It's like you got to make a play, you know.
Speaker 15 (21:40):
So it's definitely nice having that, But it's just due
to the work that we put in prior to game day.
Speaker 12 (21:47):
Hey hey, Dilan, how would you chart your own progress
through thirteen games?
Speaker 4 (21:54):
Now?
Speaker 15 (21:56):
You know, I could definitely see consistent growth, you know,
just been an up, you know, kind of up and
down battle kind of throughout the middle of the stretch
of the season with playing time and stuff. But I
could definitely you know, feel me getting my you just
my feet and the ground, getting more comfortable in this league,
you know, and I'm continuing to grow with each and
every game, you know, So I'm learning from the positives
(22:19):
and the negatives, you know.
Speaker 10 (22:20):
So I think I'm definitely trending in the right direction.
Speaker 12 (22:24):
And then blitz pick up and the blocking that we
don't concentrate on.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
How's that improved for you?
Speaker 15 (22:32):
I think when I do get an opportunity to either
help Chip or pick up Blitz or recognize Blitz, you know,
it's not a problem. You know, I'm gonna go in
there and give my all to make sure that that
person doesn't touch our quarterback.
Speaker 6 (22:45):
Hey, Dylan, you know we've the rookie classes obviously had
such a huge impact, but there's been ups and downs.
We saw some of those yesterday. Do you think that's
just natural that there's gonna be growing pains when you're
playing as many rookies as you guys are.
Speaker 10 (23:00):
Yes, it's definitely.
Speaker 15 (23:00):
I mean, you have at one point on the field
all the skilled players or rookies besides Jerry Judy. I mean,
but I don't think there's any other team whose rookies
are contributing as much as this, just collectively. So I mean,
you know, coaches understand it, but you know it's not
an excuse. You know, we go to practice, we go
to work. You know, it's time to grow, you know,
(23:23):
and I believe that is what we're doing. You know,
we can week out, you know, but we got each
other back, and we just gonna keep on growing and climbing,
you know, and continue trying to impact this team in
a positive way.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
You know, you hear that phrase, he's not a rookie
anymore because he's been in the league, you know, because
it's weak whatever. Do you still feel like a rookie
though out there.
Speaker 15 (23:44):
I never even tried to, like feel like that. I
just always felt like a football player, just trying to
learn and you know, take my game to another level.
And that's all it is, you know. I mean, even
if you know it's not a whole bunch of rookies
out there, you know, it's still other other people who
are liable to make those same mistakes, you know, who've
been in the league for six years, seven years. You know,
(24:06):
it's football, and ultimately it comes down to, you know,
did you make the play when you needed to make
the play? You know, that's the difference between a lot
of these close games, and I believe we will continue
to grow in that area and make those plays and
I give up those negative plays, you know, when they
need to happen.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Finally, defensive end Alex Wright, who talked about getting back
on the field after his quad injury.
Speaker 11 (24:27):
Hey, Alex, I just want to start asking about the
run defense yesterday and especially from watching the film back,
what were they able to do against you guys, especially
Pollard on those couple of really long runs.
Speaker 16 (24:40):
I mean the runs were pretty simple. I'm gonna just
say that we didn't do it we were supposed to do.
That's something that we practiced all week and stuff like that.
Just in the Crazy Party, it was just little tweaks,
you know, little alignments and stuff like that that was
which could have helped a whole lot better. So just
watching the film and stuff like that, when you look
(25:02):
back on the film, it's really not much of what
they did. You know, don't get me wrong, but you
know that's they had a good run of playing. But
just looking back at it, we kind of messed ourselves up.
And that's just starting where we're supposed to be, you know,
in in our gaps and stuff like that. You know,
just little tweets and stuff that we were supposed to
be that we wasn't in. So, just certain stuff that
(25:24):
we can't do, you know, because there would be you know,
a good back slight poller that's gonna make us regret
it if we don't, you know, handle our responsibility. So
and you know that's that just wasn't us.
Speaker 11 (25:35):
And then I wanted to ask you about Miles's sack
because I know you were right there too. Was that
an instance for you? Were you trying to help him
get that solo sack? I saw you guys laughing on
the sideline after it looked like maybe you kind of
corralled him towards Miles a little bit. So what went
on on that play?
Speaker 16 (25:54):
I knew that I got the sack with somebody, but
I didn't know who it was until you know, I
got up and I turned around and was like, oh,
it was Miles. I was like, okay, So then they
look at the feem me like I thought. I thought
I got to him first and stuff like that. You know,
we're just cratching, cracking jokes and stuff like that. I
was like, yeah, I said, I probably pushed them to you,
(26:16):
just like you said. I said, I probably did push
you to you know, just trying to help you get
to your record. And he was like, nah, I get
get your sex gets what you're going. I said, okay,
but you know what I'm saying, if they do it,
if it do come out people speculating and I helped
you and stuff like that, I will be looking for reward.
Speaker 8 (26:30):
Like stuff like that.
Speaker 16 (26:31):
You know, we just we're just joking around, but just
we're just just trying to rush as a unit, that's all,
you know. And when we get get our chance to rushes,
but at first we have to stop to run. But
if we stop to run, then we get a chance
to rush. And when we get a chance to rush,
you know, things like that happen.
Speaker 12 (26:46):
Yeah, I was imagine asked you about the run defense too,
So then I'll amend that question. Then are the teams
that you're playing these last four weeks? Are they gonna
watch that film and say, hey, we now we could
do success doing this against the Brons.
Speaker 8 (27:05):
I mean it's a copycare league.
Speaker 16 (27:06):
I mean it would be you know, bad to not
think that, you know, if they was the opposing team.
I mean the way I look at it is you
look at film to study your opponent and know what
you know, of course, the ins and out, what they struggled,
What are they're good at, what are what are the perks,
what are the pros, what are the cons? You know,
just looking at you know, the little stuff that leads
(27:29):
up to the big pictures. It's kind of like it's
kind of like drawing bowls and stuff like that, what
can we use against them and stuff like that. So
at the end of the day, I'm pretty sure they will.
But at the end of the day, it's about, you know,
what we have going on to prevent it from being
like a chain of events, like kind of like just
I want I want to say a chain of events
(27:49):
like just just just stop the train while it's ahead,
you know what I'm saying.
Speaker 8 (27:52):
So that that's pretty much what it is.
Speaker 16 (27:55):
I mean, we're going against Chicago next week, and you
know they got you know, Ben Johnson as the head coach,
so you know the type of the office schemes he
put together. That's just about every run play, every type
of run that they have they can utilize. So I'm
pretty sure they would look at this game and go
to the drawing board.
Speaker 8 (28:14):
But at the end of the day.
Speaker 16 (28:15):
It's about us getting better and going back to the
day one basis of who we are so and that
that begins with stopping a run. We can't rest without,
you know, if we want to rest the past, we
got to stop the run. Just playing sample.
Speaker 6 (28:28):
How the quad field coming back after missing time, and
just how difficult was that having to set out for
those three games.
Speaker 8 (28:36):
It was very difficult.
Speaker 16 (28:37):
I mean, nobody wants to sit out, That's what I
want to say.
Speaker 8 (28:43):
Be personally, I don't like sitting out. I don't. I
tried to come back, you know, for the same Frank game.
Speaker 16 (28:49):
But you know, just just with the history of quad
strings and stuff like that, you know, there could be
one role move and you can you know, you can reaggorate.
Now you're back sitting out three more weeks and you know,
just trying to take the risk. So, you know, just
me talking with the you know, the training staff and
stuff like that, we just decided it was best, you know,
just just you know, just be patient and whenever you're comfortable,
(29:11):
you know, just you know, just let us know. But
we are gonna be, you know, keeping the eye out
for you just in case.
Speaker 8 (29:16):
So but.
Speaker 16 (29:18):
One I hated coming back in cold Weaving. I hated that,
but also it was more of I was just I
didn't care about my quiet. It's like I signed up
to play game football, Like, this's gonna be Nixon bruises,
it's gonna be injuries, it's gonna like, at the end
of the day, as long as you're mentally tough, then.
Speaker 8 (29:35):
We I'm not. I'm not worried about my court.
Speaker 16 (29:38):
I don't worry about going out there and helping helping
my team, you know, make plays and stuff like that.
So the more I warmed up, the more better I felt.
I didn't really think about it and stuff like that.
But other than that, shoot, I'm just happy to be
back out there on the field.
Speaker 9 (29:53):
Hey, Alex, I just wanted to clarify something on this sack.
Were you awarded a half a sack by the coaches today?
In film review?
Speaker 8 (30:03):
The crazy right? What happened in film?
Speaker 16 (30:05):
He looked at me, and he looked at Miles and
he looked at me again, and I said, you know what.
Speaker 4 (30:12):
It is?
Speaker 16 (30:12):
What it is, man, I'm not as as long as
we get the quarterback down, I don't care who gets
to sack. I mean, would you I mean, it would
be good to go towards my status, but I don't
care about stats.
Speaker 8 (30:24):
That's not my thing.
Speaker 16 (30:25):
I've never been the type of person to, oh, I
need to get this, I need to get that, I
need to get Like my thing is I'm My main
idea since high school was the quote unquote killed the
man with the football.
Speaker 8 (30:36):
So just just having.
Speaker 16 (30:38):
That that little moment in there with Miles, you know,
it was just like you know, we we looked at it,
we wanted it back, we slow we put it in
slow motion to see who got to him first, and
stuff like that. I complete my case as much as
I want to, but he's gonna plead his case.
Speaker 8 (30:53):
But at the end of the day, we're just happy
we got him down.
Speaker 16 (30:55):
Like we it's a friendly competition and we always say that,
even with Miles Is as freakies of an athlete is.
I always make jokes of, you know, I'm having no
party at the quarterback, like you're gonna pull up or
you know what I'm saying stuff like that. So just
having that type of competitive nurture about us and just
being out there on the field that just, you know,
showed what type of chemistry we have, Like restling the quarterback.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Yes, Alex Kevin told us today that that Shador Standers
is going to be the starter for the final four
games of the season, and just wondering from a defensive standpoint,
what does that mean to you? You know, just with
the energy and the lift that that he kind of
brings over there.
Speaker 16 (31:36):
He brings, he brings the energy of his own like
his Shador has been the same person since he stepped
foot in Cleveland, Like there's noting change about him. He's
always the happy, gold lucky person that's in the locker room,
always shaking people hands, making jokes and stuff like that.
And then when it's time to you know, put on
the paths and put on the hipt, it's time to work.
Like even when I, you know, I come into the facility,
(31:57):
I see him in the office every day with coach Sewanski,
like just going over films and stuff like that. So
it's it's it's it's unnoticeable. It's noticeable on my part
because I'm an exervant person. When I come in, I
don't really say much. I don't really know because I'm
not a more I'm not a morning person, so I
keep my head down and stuff like that. But uh,
I see him in there asking questions and he's not
afraid to ask questions. So just for him to be,
(32:20):
you know, that poised rookie and stuff like that, that's
not afraid to go out there, you know and.
Speaker 8 (32:24):
Throw the football. Of course, there's he's a rookie.
Speaker 16 (32:27):
There's always gonna be there's always gonna be mistakes in
the game of football. There's always gonna be, mister Simons,
there's always gonna be miss missed opportunities and stuff like that.
Speaker 8 (32:35):
That's just part of it, you know.
Speaker 16 (32:36):
It's the fact that you could go up and do
it again the next play. So I feel like with
you know, Shador, we just you know, gonna take the
next steps. We're gonna be behind them and just keep
you know, keep keep checking at home, and keep telling
him to be who he is. So at the end
of the day, I got nothing but love for Shador,
you know, and I just want him to see just
(32:57):
like everybody else on the team.
Speaker 3 (32:59):
And then if you don't mind, we also found out
today that Ethan Postach is out for the season with
a ruptured achilles And I'm sure that you you know that,
I'm sure you feel really bad for him, So just
wondering what is your reaction to that.
Speaker 8 (33:15):
For him heartbreaking. It's kind of you never be personally.
Speaker 16 (33:20):
I know, I feel good to hear that out for
the season, like, so you know, the main thing is
just he was in the turning room that you know,
he was in the hot spirits, So you know, I
just know it's gonna be a long journey for him.
But knowing knowing Ethan as a person, he may not
say much. He may be, you know, the type person
if you say something, you know he'll say something back.
But one thing about Ethan, he always have have his
(33:44):
stuff together. He's always one of the first ones dressed
out there working on stuff. Like he's the one of
the epitome of like a vent that knows how this works.
He knows what to do, he knows what to do
in such situations. He's just one of those vets as
you go to if you need advice and stuff like that.
So for him, I know he's going to take their
(34:04):
rehab and stuff like that. So I have no doubt.
But you know, just to hear you know out for
the season, it's kind of like a it's kind of
like a stab to the stab to the chess because
that's that's one of our that's one of our our
nuclears of the team.
Speaker 13 (34:18):
So hey, Alex, I know you guys play hard for
each other every week and doesn't matter whether you're you're
in playoff contention or not. But you, personally, I know
guys have to find motivation at this point of a season.
What do you what do you personally play for? What
is your motivation when you know that mathematically, statistically you
(34:41):
cannot make a playoff.
Speaker 16 (34:42):
The name on my back and where I'm from, I
feel like it's just you got people that look up
to you. And my mama will always say, you got
people that you don't even know. You got kids that
you don't know that that look up to you. The
thing is with me, it just plays an aspect of
you know, the key it's my family, the friends to
(35:03):
support people you know, back from college and stuff like that.
But also the fact that that's not how I was raised, Like,
I'm not raised to quit. I don't care if we're
down forty. I don't care if we're down three and
they're they're about to kneel the ball out, I don't care.
That's just not my that's not my nature to quit.
It's never been my nature to quit. And I don't,
you know, quit on my teammates. I don't quit on
(35:24):
the coaches. I don't quit on anybody. That's just me.
I'm not going to give up just because there's just
because he's not making the playoffs. Yeah, that sucks, but
at the end of the day, it's still film. That's
still film out there, Like you don't want to look
at yourself on film and know that you're not giving
a hundred percent because now you're cheating yourself and you're
cheating the team.
Speaker 8 (35:41):
And that's what I don't condone.
Speaker 16 (35:43):
That's not I don't condone nobody else doing that, and
I wouldn't condone myself doing that because at the end
of the day, I am my hardest critic. So win,
lose a draw, not even one, it's still gonna be
the same person regardless. So that's just my will and
that's just who I am. I'm I never say that attitude.
They like I said, with the injury, I was mad
that I couldn't come back for San France like I
(36:05):
was heated. So just for just for me to have
that type of drive, like you know, I just want
to be that type of energy person, just to spread
that out in THEO D line room, and that's something
we spoke about today. These last four games are important
because this drives into next ship.
Speaker 4 (36:19):
That'll do it.
Speaker 1 (36:19):
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 right here
in Berea. I'm Gabe Klea. Thanks for listening to the
From the Podium Podcast.
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