January 24, 2025 • 26 mins
On this special offseason edition of the From the Podium podcast, hear new Browns OC Tommy Rees from his introductory press conference.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Welcome to this special offseason. Additionally, from the Podium podcast
on Jason Gibbs, the Browns have made their hired the
new offensive coordinator of your Cleveland Browns, Tommy Reese, officially
official yesterday and yeah his introductory press conference at the
Cross Country Mortgage Campus here in Berea.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Up.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
First, You'res head coach Kevin Stefanski regarding the decision to
hire coach Tommy Reese.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Okay, guys, excited to announce Tommy Reese as our offensive coordinator.
Tommy is a guy that we met a few years back,
kept a relationship, watched him from Afar as he had
his success as a young coach, and then we were
able to bring him in here last year. And really
the spent last year spent with Tommy really solidified what
I thought about him. You know, we had a process
(00:49):
with some really impressive candidates for this job, some smart
people that we really enjoyed getting to know, but ultimately
felt that Tommy was the right fit for this football team.
As far as play calling, which I know you guys
are gonna ask, I'm gonna call plays and I reserve
the right to change my mind. Okay, So excited announced
Tommy He's ready for this, been already a bunch of
(01:12):
meetings with Tommy, with the offensive coaches. If it feels
like Tommy's got a really strong handle on this job,
and I'm excited for him. So, without further ado, Tommy Rees.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And now your new offensive coordinator, Tommy Reese, who discussed
his vision for the offense in twenty twenty five and beyond.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Yeah, first and foremost, just want to thank Coach the Fansky,
the Hazim family, and the entire Brown's organization Andrew Berry
for this opportunity. It's one I'm gonna take great pride
in and look forward to. You know, really excited about
being able to stay in Cleveland, stay with the Browns.
And you know, lastly, thank all of you for being here,
braving the cold. And with that, I will open it
(01:52):
up to any questions.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
I mean, I'm sure you have some other opportunities. You know,
how did it work out that you ended up staying
here and how excited are you just to be here again? Yeah,
Cleveland is where I wanted to be. You know, I
took this job a year ago, wanting to be with
Coach Stefanski, wanting to be a part of this organization. Obviously,
the fan base, you know what this organization represents, you know,
the division we're in.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
All those things added up. So if this was going
to be an opportunity for me, this was the one
that I wanted to be a part of.
Speaker 6 (02:20):
When you start putting the offense together for the too doctorally,
but how difficult is that not knowing who the quarterback is?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Yeah, I think you want to build an offense that
has flexibility to be able to you know, cater to
any quarterback strengths. And that's what we're after here, and
that's what we're trying to build. And you know, we
have to be you know, malleable in our ability to
shape the offense, you know, to really highlight the strengths
of that player. And you know, I know we're going
to put a system together that's able to do that.
Speaker 7 (02:49):
I mean, what role will you play in the draft
and evaluating quarterback? Will you go to the Shrine Bowl?
Will you go to the Senior Bowl?
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Yeah, A lot of those conversations are still to be had. Obviously,
the evaluation process is ongoing for the quarterbacks. I'll be
you know, involved in that. You know, whether we're Shrine Bowls,
Senior Ble, those are those decisions are yet to be
made of.
Speaker 8 (03:10):
Putting a system together here. How do you envision it, Loooking?
Is it going to be similar to what was you know,
the first four years with Kevin and a VP, or
do you anticipate working with Kevin to really kind of
overhaul and put your own stamp on Thanks.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Yeah, I think we're gonna work together. We want to
have a system that is sound. We want to have
a system that is explosive. But at the end of
the day, we want a system that caters and really
highlights our players strengths. And so it's always going to
be player centric. It's always going to be in the
front of the mind to make sure we're doing things
that are sound football wise, and then you know, how
do we create opportunities for our players in our offense
(03:47):
to be explosive.
Speaker 9 (03:49):
Plays.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
It's great, you know, obviously we're gonna work together. You know,
I'm looking forward to, you know, being a part of
the process and you know, having an opportunity to to
lead the offensive staff and lead the offense and you know, look,
there's so much work that gets done on the front
end of things. Play calling is is just part of
the process, and we're excited to get to work together
and making sure that we have a good product on
the field.
Speaker 6 (04:09):
Tell me, when you talk about catering the offense to
the player strengths, especially a quarterback. You know there's going
to be a million options in free agency in the draft,
So don't you need to have a system that you
have before you get those guys?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Like a foundation of.
Speaker 6 (04:24):
A system and then a quarterback fits there as opposed
to waiting to fit the system to the guy.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Yeah, I think the best staffs, the best offense is
find a way to cater to the people they have. Right,
You need to have a system that is diverse enough
to be able to be flexible based on your personnel.
You don't want to pigeonhole what you can and can't
do based on your system. You want to be flexible
to Let's go find the best quarterback we can. Let's
make sure that he's comfortable in the system.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Tommy, what is we you speak of that quarterback? Well,
whoever it is, what's to may the one biggest trait
you need to see that tells you that's the quarterback
for me? What there a specific number one.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Yeah, at the end of the day, a quarterbacks job
is to solve problems. You're going to be tasked sixty
seventy eighty times a game to make a decision in
a critical moment, and so I've always started with the
ability to make quick decisions and make the right decisions.
So if you said one thing over the other, I
want a decision maker at that position.
Speaker 10 (05:20):
I know you have a lot.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
Of experience in different areas, but last season specifically, what
did that teach you to make you feel ready for
this opportunity here this year?
Speaker 11 (05:27):
Go Offen, suppordinator.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Yeah, you know, I think there are differences between the
college and NFL game. So being in the NFL for
a year was, you know, a great learning experience for me,
you know, having been in a while back, but now
in a different role. You know, you you learn how
to reach players, you learn you know how things are
dealt with day to day. So I would say like
(05:51):
just being back in the in the flow of the
NFL helps. But in terms of look, the coordinator jobs
about leadership. It's about managing play players and staff. It's
about finding ways to have solutions for your players and
staff like that doesn't change based on the level you're at.
I just think having your you know, dipping your feet
and back in the NFL pool is important to get
(06:11):
back into that process.
Speaker 6 (06:13):
How do you see shaping and delegating the staff and
what you mostly coach the quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
On the day to day day. Those are all still
decisions that we're going to you know, work through here
over the next couple of weeks to make sure that
we have a staff that gives our players a great
opportunity to have success. Hey, you tell what you need
a quarterbacks coach and say that again.
Speaker 5 (06:28):
Do you fear you need to bring in a quarterbacks coach?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
You know that Again that's something as a staff we
have to evaluate on exactly how we want to play
that out. You know, certainly I'll be involved with the quarterbacks,
but again we're going to weigh all those options and
make sure it's the right fit for us.
Speaker 12 (06:43):
Is you're part of the staff now in promoted obviously
for some reasons the team can use so well on offense.
Do you feel you can be objective and bring a
new luck on what went wrong and what can begin.
Speaker 7 (06:57):
To fix this?
Speaker 4 (06:58):
I do, yes?
Speaker 7 (06:59):
Tell me speaking of making decisions quickly. Part of Jayden
Daniel's success is now being attributed to virtual reality. Yeah,
and training his mind to work faster. How do you
feel about that, I argue considering using that, the Browns
have that ability to do that.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Yeah, we do have VR as part of our It's
part of the things that are available to our players.
You know, every individual is different on how well they
take to those things. Obviously, you know Jaden's talked about
it from his time at LSU even so, I'm very
familiar with that. I've used it with quarterbacks in the past.
We do have the ability to use that. Again, some
(07:36):
of that is on individual basis on how they learn.
But you know, part of our job as coaches is
to be able to reach a lot of different players
that learn a lot of different ways. So VR is
a tool that helps us maximize our players' ability, and
that's one that we'll have at our disposal.
Speaker 13 (07:50):
Tommy, what about Jalen Milraw and just how much you
know about him as you guys head into the evaluation
process of all these courts.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Yeah, I mean I listen as a person. I have
a lot of love for Jalen, a lot of respect
for Jalen. Obviously we went through a h an entire
season together. When and when you're the play caller and
the quarterback, there's a great relationship there. But I'm really
not going to expand much on anybody in the draft
right now, and just know that I have a lot,
a lot of love for Jalen as the man he
is and wish him all the best.
Speaker 10 (08:19):
You expect it to.
Speaker 13 (08:19):
Be there at the I know you were ssrate, but
do you do you plan on being.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
At the senior bel Again, that's up to you know,
the staff to decide how we want to delegate some
of that. You know, obviously the draft process is ongoing
and it's a long process, so we'll have plenty of
opportunities to be around these players.
Speaker 11 (08:35):
You look at the last two years for this offense,
turnovers have been a huge issue. Like what's your plan
or for steps to trying.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
To solve that as of issues, Yeah, you know, I
think when your players are when the message is very clear,
when the expectation on certain plays is very clear, when
the teaching progression allows them to have confidence and play
on time on schedule, I think that helps limit those things. Obviously,
(09:03):
you know, interceptions pile up. We have to make sure
that there is no gray area for those quarterbacks, and
then you know, we got to preach good ball security
for the carriers.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
I mean a couple of the guys who a couple
of tight end you coach last year.
Speaker 11 (09:15):
Said you see everything like a quarterback and.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Teach everything like a quarterback.
Speaker 11 (09:18):
Do you think that's that's a fair assessment.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
I mean, I guess that's been my lens for football
for a long time. You know, I would think that's
a positive, right, But yeah, I think I definitely think
that's part of it. You know. I think when you're
in the quarterback room or in that area of expertise,
like I do, think it's important to be able to
step back and look at it through the lens of
the other ten guys on the field. And I would
(09:43):
say last year being in that role gave me a
great deal of appreciation on how to do that, because
you know, they it's a different sport when you're not
playing quarterback, right, and there's so many little things that
add up that you need to be able to have
that perspective on. And I would say I'm extremely grateful
for that from last.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
Season, Tommy, because you have that unique lens. Does that
make you more critical quarterbacks or maybe more empathetic to
what they're dealing with?
Speaker 7 (10:09):
That?
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Well, if you ask former quarterbacks, they would probably say critical.
If you ask me, I'd probably say empathetic. But look,
the quarterback position is one that there comes a high
demand there. You know, they want to hold themselves. We
got to hold them to a high standard. But you
also need to build confidence and love them up. So
it's a great balancing act and the great ones understand
that and know how that needs to be done.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
You can talk about flexibility and some dynamic quarterbacks names
have always already been brought up today, even in the
short time, even in the league, Tommy, does it seem
like the way a quarterback has to play is changing
and evolving and becoming even more dynamic, flexible, et cetera.
We see guys like Omar, Josh.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Yeah, etc. I mean, you have the extreme examples, and
then almost all quarterbacks now are able to create and
extend would probably be the right word. That certainly has
changed over time. It doesn't mean the guys that can
are extinct. I just think you start to see that
that with how talented and athletic defensive players are. The
ability to extend and create has definitely taken an uptake
(11:10):
over the last, however many years. I don't think it's
the only criteria, but you certainly see it as a trend.
Speaker 9 (11:16):
Tommy, you talked about obviously last year coming back to
the NFL and the expans you had, but you've never
actually been an offensive coordinated the NFL level. I'm just curious,
like how your stintset Notre Dame, obviously on un Nick,
same Steph at Alabama. How those kind of people prepare
you for this.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
Role at this level.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Yeah, the job's the job, right, I mean again, you're
still managing people first and foremost players and coaches. You're
still in a leadership position. You still need to have
total ownership. So all of those traits that you develop
over that time are critical. You still have to build
relationships with all aspects of your offense because you're not
(11:52):
just in one room, and so all of those traits
that you learn at Notre Dame you learn at Alabama,
those still hold true at this level. You know, I've
been around great players, great coaches at both those stops,
you know, so I feel extremely prepared for this opportunity,
and a lot of that credit goes to, you know,
Notre Dame Alabama, the people that were there, the players
that were there.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
And tell me, after reflecting on last season, do you
feel there needs to be a greater emphasis on the
run game?
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:19):
I mean again, I think we want to be sound
in everything we do. I think we want to put
together a system that our players can have confidence in,
whether that's run or pass or anywhere in between. We
want to make sure that everything we're doing has a
why to it and our players understand that. Why so
to sit here and be critical, you know, I just
think we want to make sure that we're finding ways
(12:39):
to give our players the best chance on the field
every Sunday to win the game. And a lot of
that comes back to the why of what we're doing.
Speaker 6 (12:46):
And did you know Mike Blueger before you got here?
And what do you think he adds to you?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Just ad?
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Yeah, I mean, look, I've been with Bloom now for
a couple of weeks. I think he's a great addition.
I think he's a great offensive line coach and a
great person. I only knew Bloom through reputation. We have
some mutual you know coworkers that we both worked with
that you know, I have only heard positive things, you know,
dating back ten years of knowing Bloom and or through reputation.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
When you took this job, you think it could lead
to what you're doing now.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
My only focus last year was getting ready to coach
the tight ends. You know, I felt like that was
going to be my priority and my main focus. So
you know, I was trying to be where my feet
were as much as I could and get ready to
own that role.
Speaker 7 (13:33):
Did you use VRT notre damer to set out Obama?
Speaker 4 (13:36):
We used it at both.
Speaker 8 (13:37):
Yeah, prestat penalties were such an issue offensively last year.
Just what do you think the genesis of that was
and what can you do now as you oc to
help clean that up, especially the you know, not lining
up correctly and the illegal emotions.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Yeah. Look, I think a lot of clarity needs to
be in the teaching progression on how we make sure
that those things are taught, how we practice them. You know,
there are small changes here and there that we can
do in our structure and how we want to make
sure we maximize those things. And you know, we have
to hold ourselves and our players accountable to those and
(14:14):
you know we at times you also have to look
in the mirror and say, okay, well what's feasible and
what's not And if we do that, you know, those
those will get Eradicate him.
Speaker 6 (14:23):
Pressing yesterday when he was talking about the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Losses over turn over, I'm just following that if.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You agree with that and what you look.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
At in terms of success.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
With these success Yeah, I did not see his press conference.
I would say, you know, I agree with the quarterback
has as much influence in a game as any position
in sport.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
You know.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I think when you're in a high level passing efficiency,
when you're in a high level of efficiency offensively, that
leads to wins and losses. I think the turnover margin
is still a good number, but I think you see
the pass efficiency number in in the NFL continue to
be a good indicator for that, and obviously that's a
big part of playing the quarterback position.
Speaker 11 (15:07):
What what ultimately dre you wanting to.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Work with Kevin?
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Yeah, you know, I met him a few years back,
you know, through a mutual coach and I just think
his overall view of the game, you know, his dinner,
you know, those were all things that as a coach,
you want to be around people that you feel like
you can learn and grow from and then hopefully, you know,
take part of their style and and continue to help
(15:32):
build your own, you know, coaching philosophy and style, and
you want to be around good people. You're you know,
in the coaching world. There's no secret you spent a
lot of hours in this office, and so to be
or be around a guy like Kevin who is a
great man, a great coach, good person like all those
things make it a very attractive job to me.
Speaker 13 (15:51):
Do you feel as though, since you are not that
far removed from being in the college game and being
well versed in all these college quarterbacks, do you feel
like they're is one in this class that can start
for cle Liver Owns in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Again, I'm not gonna talk about any of the players
that are in the draft, and you know, look forward
to the evaluation process with that.
Speaker 13 (16:11):
In general, though, do you feel like this, I mean,
last year, six quarterbacks came out and a lot of
them have done maybe really well. Do you feel like
this class has some talent, enough talent that some of
these guys can step in and start this year at succeed.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
I look forward to evaluating them. I really do.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Everyone assumes the offense we'll go back to the twenty
twenty three offense that one to eleven games before you
were here. Is that a correct assumption that would be
more resembling which the fans can did last year?
Speaker 4 (16:40):
Yeah. Mean, I think there's core principles within the system
that we want to major in and own. But you know,
like anything, you're gonna adapt with the times and you're
gonna evaluate what our team is really good at and
make sure that we focus the offense around that.
Speaker 6 (16:54):
I know and working with Tends this year.
Speaker 9 (16:57):
We obviously knew Mike Gravel was heavily involved that could
as well from you know, pushing the season. There was
some talk about, you know, him potentially you being interested
in bringing you over to his staff. But what just
from your perspective, what was that relationship Like seems like
you guys kind of got pretty close and what did
you kind of learn from him.
Speaker 7 (17:14):
To get together?
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Yeah? I love Rabes, you know, we spoke on him
a few weeks back. You know, just being able to
be around a guy who's been a head coach defensive
side of the ball has really spent so much of
his life in the NFL. For me, offensive coach, never
been a head coach, only spent a year previously in
the NFL, So to be surrounded by somebody with all
that experience was really beneficial, just learning kind of the
(17:39):
ins and outs of this level, learning the ins and
outs of this game, and then from a schematic standpoint,
hearing him talk defensive football on how it impacts how
we think offensively was great. You know, as a coach,
being able to see that side and be able to
pull down those curtains and see how they think, you know,
can really make you better on the opposite side of
the ball.
Speaker 11 (17:58):
You know, you talked a little bit about I think
so the last time we talked to you, but along
those lines, just coming in to this team and working
with the tight ends where you're involved in so many
different packers of the offense, Like, how did that How
much of a learning experience was that?
Speaker 3 (18:12):
It was?
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Yeah, it was great. I'll tell you a quick story.
My brother played tight end growing up. Okay, I played quarterback.
We used to always argue about what position was harder,
tight ends, quarterbacks, tight ends quarterbacks Okay, on the field,
I'll still you know, quarterback is still something I'm passionate about.
But I remember texting my brother in the middle of
training camp and being like, Hey, I know this has
been twenty years since we've argued about this, but I
(18:34):
think you were onto something with the whole tight end conversation,
so like run pass protection technique, Like there's so much
that goes into it. And when I'm talking about like
when you remove yourself from the quarterback room and have
to look at things through a different lens, I think
it's so beneficial for somebody that spent as much time
around the quarterback position as I have, or as much
time as a coordinator, and it really gives you a
(18:56):
great perspective on the other parts of the offense.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Tell me along those multiple multiple titan sets have been
something you've used a lot of Notre Dame Alabama. How
much you know, as you kind of you know, does
that sort of align with what Kevin? Also? Does that mean?
How much have you guys sort of talked about that
in terms.
Speaker 8 (19:14):
Of the offense.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Yeah, just I think you want to be versatile on
how you can attack a defense, right and those personnel
groupings adding gaps, adding formations. All of those go into
effect of how you attack a defense. And you know,
we want to be have the ability to be multiple
and have different ways to present challenges to the defense.
Speaker 10 (19:30):
When you think about, you know, you being here when
you were younger, alvo, other than coming in last year
Titans coach moving into this, Like when you think about
your shirt, your connection to the Browns, why is it
so being meaningful for you to step into this role.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Yeah, I mean that's a large reason why, right, I mean,
growing up my dad worked for however, many NFL teams
for whatever reason, the Browns were kind of the one
that stuck, probably because I was here boots on the ground,
working training camp. You know, those were probably the years
I really started falling in love with football. And so
when I think about my early development in the game,
I early love for the game. So many of those
(20:05):
memories were surrounded by either being here or watching the
Browns on Sunday from home, and so you know, it
has come full circle. You know, I haven't really had
the time to like sit down and think about that,
but you know, I know it's one you know, just
you know, speaking with my brother, speaking with my dad,
Like it is a pretty cool, you know story to
you know, be able to say, Okay, well, when you
(20:25):
really fell in love with the game, it was in
this building, it was watching these games. Now to be
in the position I'm in is something I'm grateful for.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
To mean, you talked about the work on the front
end of.
Speaker 6 (20:36):
You know, before a game day and everything.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
How much do you like that part of the job
and how much do you kind of hope to be
able to kind of set the table with Kevin for
everything he does.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
As a play call?
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Yeah, I mean when you when you put together a
plan and then you see that plan coming to action
on a game day, that's about as rewarding as a feeling.
And when you're able to put together a plan for
your players to have success and then you're able to
see that success transpire on the field, that's about as
rewarding of a feeling you can have in sport. And
so much of that are the hours that you lead
(21:12):
up to the game. You know, the time you spend
in the office. You know, you sacrifice a lot in
these jobs, and a lot of it goes to exactly
what you're speaking to, And you know that's probably my
favorite part of the job is being able to sit
in there and schematically find ways to attack a team,
and then to be able to have that, you know,
come to life on game day, you know, really brings
a lot of you know, a lot of hard work
(21:35):
to life and really brings you know, what you're trying
to do is give your players the best opportunity to
be successful. And when you can do that, it's it's
really a gratifying experience.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
I think you don't want.
Speaker 8 (21:44):
To get into specifics when it comes to maybe the
quarter plans going forward here, but but you'll.
Speaker 10 (21:50):
Well you'll add it.
Speaker 8 (21:51):
You don't walk into a job without knowing exactly what
you're walking into. So do you at least have an
idea of what that plan might be this off season?
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Yeah, Like I you know, said here a little bit ago.
I'm really excited to get to evaluating that and see
what's out there.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
What say you and Kevin see the game?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Like similarly, Yeah, I think we, you know, have different
experiences in the game. We've grown up in different systems
of the game. I think, you know, the core tenants
of what we believe in, you know, being sound and
being explosive, those things are you know, both really important
to us. But in terms of how you get there,
you know, we have similarities, but there's also going to
(22:29):
be things that both of us see as as new
ways or different ways to accomplish those goals, which I
think is something you want, right. You don't want everybody
to have the same idea. You know, I have a
quote in my office as we're all thinking, like no
one thinks very much, and I think that's really important
with a staff that you're able to, you know, feel
like those guys have the autonomy to bring ideas to
make the entire offense better.
Speaker 6 (22:52):
Do you think you guys connected so quickly that you
know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (22:56):
Yeah, I mean I think there is a lot. I
think we do see a lot of things the same
way and terms of what's important in the game of football.
You know, I just think I have a tremendous amount
of respect for how he handles, you know, his job,
how he handles people, and that's something that you know,
I wanted to be a part of. And you know,
I think that's probably a two way street.
Speaker 13 (23:17):
There's been more, you know, there's been such a vast
difference between supposedly Kevin's old way of doing offense and
then the new more spread RPO stuff that you guys
were trying to do at the outset last year, and
now there's all kinds of talk about they're going back
to Kevin Spansky's old offense. Is there a way to
(23:38):
marry those two things and to really incorporate all of
those elements into an offense and yet still also.
Speaker 10 (23:43):
Have an identity?
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Yes, there is. There is definitely the ability to be
multiple is something that we want. Now, what multiplicity looks
like can look like a lot of different things to
a defense, while it stays very consistent for the offensive players.
And so when I think you talk about scheme, how
you present it is what puts defense at a bind.
And so there are aspects of scheme of things that
(24:10):
have been done in the past, things that we did
last year that are consistent, but how we present it
presents the challenge for the defense. So the identities in
the scheme, the presentation is part of how we keep
people off balance.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Tell me how is your general offensive philosophy? Is there
a kind of a route to where that started, where
you sort of first developed it. I mean, day everybody
says there's that you know, this person.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
Or that, right.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
Yeah, there's a lot of people. I would say when
I was in twenty sixteen, I got the job in
San Diego with the Chargers. I walked into that job
thinking I had pretty good grasp on football. I remember
being completely blown away by the knowledge that the coaches had,
and I would say that year from just a schematic
football standpoint, really changed the way I looked at the game.
(24:59):
And we had you know, Mike McCoy's our head coach,
Ken wiznen Hunt was our coordinator. Nick Sirianni was our
white hot coach. Shane Stikeen was our quarterback coach. You know,
there was a great staff of people around me that
I really leaned into and learned from. And then you know,
you add the stops along the way. I mean certainly,
you know, being under coach Saban and learning how to
how he ran his program and how you do things
(25:21):
day to day, how he looked at the game as
a defensive coach, like, the perspective I was able to
gain from him was something I would value my entire life,
you know, And then I'd be look, I spent nine
years with Brian Kelly as a player, as a coach,
so obviously there's things along the way that I picked
up with him offensively. So I've been fortunate to be
(25:43):
around a lot of great coaches, but I would point
to the year and San Diego is one that really
transformed the way I looked at football. Thank you, guys.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
That'll do it for this special episode of the From
the Podium podcast. To 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
on social media for more coverage from the Cross Country
Mortgage Campus right here in Bourria. I'm Jason Gibbs. Thanks
for listening to the From the Podium Podcast.
Welcome to this special offseason. Additionally, from the Podium podcast
on Jason Gibbs, the Browns have made their hired the
new offensive coordinator of your Cleveland Browns, Tommy Reese, officially
official yesterday and yeah his introductory press conference at the
Cross Country Mortgage Campus here in Berea.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
Up.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
First, You'res head coach Kevin Stefanski regarding the decision to
hire coach Tommy Reese.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Okay, guys, excited to announce Tommy Reese as our offensive coordinator.
Tommy is a guy that we met a few years back,
kept a relationship, watched him from Afar as he had
his success as a young coach, and then we were
able to bring him in here last year. And really
the spent last year spent with Tommy really solidified what
I thought about him. You know, we had a process
(00:49):
with some really impressive candidates for this job, some smart
people that we really enjoyed getting to know, but ultimately
felt that Tommy was the right fit for this football team.
As far as play calling, which I know you guys
are gonna ask, I'm gonna call plays and I reserve
the right to change my mind. Okay, So excited announced
Tommy He's ready for this, been already a bunch of
(01:12):
meetings with Tommy, with the offensive coaches. If it feels
like Tommy's got a really strong handle on this job,
and I'm excited for him. So, without further ado, Tommy Rees.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
And now your new offensive coordinator, Tommy Reese, who discussed
his vision for the offense in twenty twenty five and beyond.
Speaker 4 (01:29):
Yeah, first and foremost, just want to thank Coach the Fansky,
the Hazim family, and the entire Brown's organization Andrew Berry
for this opportunity. It's one I'm gonna take great pride
in and look forward to. You know, really excited about
being able to stay in Cleveland, stay with the Browns.
And you know, lastly, thank all of you for being here,
braving the cold. And with that, I will open it
(01:52):
up to any questions.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
I mean, I'm sure you have some other opportunities. You know,
how did it work out that you ended up staying
here and how excited are you just to be here again? Yeah,
Cleveland is where I wanted to be. You know, I
took this job a year ago, wanting to be with
Coach Stefanski, wanting to be a part of this organization. Obviously,
the fan base, you know what this organization represents, you know,
the division we're in.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
All those things added up. So if this was going
to be an opportunity for me, this was the one
that I wanted to be a part of.
Speaker 6 (02:20):
When you start putting the offense together for the too doctorally,
but how difficult is that not knowing who the quarterback is?
Speaker 4 (02:29):
Yeah, I think you want to build an offense that
has flexibility to be able to you know, cater to
any quarterback strengths. And that's what we're after here, and
that's what we're trying to build. And you know, we
have to be you know, malleable in our ability to
shape the offense, you know, to really highlight the strengths
of that player. And you know, I know we're going
to put a system together that's able to do that.
Speaker 7 (02:49):
I mean, what role will you play in the draft
and evaluating quarterback? Will you go to the Shrine Bowl?
Will you go to the Senior Bowl?
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Yeah, A lot of those conversations are still to be had. Obviously,
the evaluation process is ongoing for the quarterbacks. I'll be
you know, involved in that. You know, whether we're Shrine Bowls,
Senior Ble, those are those decisions are yet to be
made of.
Speaker 8 (03:10):
Putting a system together here. How do you envision it, Loooking?
Is it going to be similar to what was you know,
the first four years with Kevin and a VP, or
do you anticipate working with Kevin to really kind of
overhaul and put your own stamp on Thanks.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Yeah, I think we're gonna work together. We want to
have a system that is sound. We want to have
a system that is explosive. But at the end of
the day, we want a system that caters and really
highlights our players strengths. And so it's always going to
be player centric. It's always going to be in the
front of the mind to make sure we're doing things
that are sound football wise, and then you know, how
do we create opportunities for our players in our offense
(03:47):
to be explosive.
Speaker 9 (03:49):
Plays.
Speaker 4 (03:50):
It's great, you know, obviously we're gonna work together. You know,
I'm looking forward to, you know, being a part of
the process and you know, having an opportunity to to
lead the offensive staff and lead the offense and you know, look,
there's so much work that gets done on the front
end of things. Play calling is is just part of
the process, and we're excited to get to work together
and making sure that we have a good product on
the field.
Speaker 6 (04:09):
Tell me, when you talk about catering the offense to
the player strengths, especially a quarterback. You know there's going
to be a million options in free agency in the draft,
So don't you need to have a system that you
have before you get those guys?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Like a foundation of.
Speaker 6 (04:24):
A system and then a quarterback fits there as opposed
to waiting to fit the system to the guy.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Yeah, I think the best staffs, the best offense is
find a way to cater to the people they have. Right,
You need to have a system that is diverse enough
to be able to be flexible based on your personnel.
You don't want to pigeonhole what you can and can't
do based on your system. You want to be flexible
to Let's go find the best quarterback we can. Let's
make sure that he's comfortable in the system.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Tommy, what is we you speak of that quarterback? Well,
whoever it is, what's to may the one biggest trait
you need to see that tells you that's the quarterback
for me? What there a specific number one.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Yeah, at the end of the day, a quarterbacks job
is to solve problems. You're going to be tasked sixty
seventy eighty times a game to make a decision in
a critical moment, and so I've always started with the
ability to make quick decisions and make the right decisions.
So if you said one thing over the other, I
want a decision maker at that position.
Speaker 10 (05:20):
I know you have a lot.
Speaker 7 (05:21):
Of experience in different areas, but last season specifically, what
did that teach you to make you feel ready for
this opportunity here this year?
Speaker 11 (05:27):
Go Offen, suppordinator.
Speaker 4 (05:29):
Yeah, you know, I think there are differences between the
college and NFL game. So being in the NFL for
a year was, you know, a great learning experience for me,
you know, having been in a while back, but now
in a different role. You know, you you learn how
to reach players, you learn you know how things are
dealt with day to day. So I would say like
(05:51):
just being back in the in the flow of the
NFL helps. But in terms of look, the coordinator jobs
about leadership. It's about managing play players and staff. It's
about finding ways to have solutions for your players and
staff like that doesn't change based on the level you're at.
I just think having your you know, dipping your feet
and back in the NFL pool is important to get
(06:11):
back into that process.
Speaker 6 (06:13):
How do you see shaping and delegating the staff and
what you mostly coach the quarterbacks.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
On the day to day day. Those are all still
decisions that we're going to you know, work through here
over the next couple of weeks to make sure that
we have a staff that gives our players a great
opportunity to have success. Hey, you tell what you need
a quarterbacks coach and say that again.
Speaker 5 (06:28):
Do you fear you need to bring in a quarterbacks coach?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
You know that Again that's something as a staff we
have to evaluate on exactly how we want to play
that out. You know, certainly I'll be involved with the quarterbacks,
but again we're going to weigh all those options and
make sure it's the right fit for us.
Speaker 12 (06:43):
Is you're part of the staff now in promoted obviously
for some reasons the team can use so well on offense.
Do you feel you can be objective and bring a
new luck on what went wrong and what can begin.
Speaker 7 (06:57):
To fix this?
Speaker 4 (06:58):
I do, yes?
Speaker 7 (06:59):
Tell me speaking of making decisions quickly. Part of Jayden
Daniel's success is now being attributed to virtual reality. Yeah,
and training his mind to work faster. How do you
feel about that, I argue considering using that, the Browns
have that ability to do that.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Yeah, we do have VR as part of our It's
part of the things that are available to our players.
You know, every individual is different on how well they
take to those things. Obviously, you know Jaden's talked about
it from his time at LSU even so, I'm very
familiar with that. I've used it with quarterbacks in the past.
We do have the ability to use that. Again, some
(07:36):
of that is on individual basis on how they learn.
But you know, part of our job as coaches is
to be able to reach a lot of different players
that learn a lot of different ways. So VR is
a tool that helps us maximize our players' ability, and
that's one that we'll have at our disposal.
Speaker 13 (07:50):
Tommy, what about Jalen Milraw and just how much you
know about him as you guys head into the evaluation
process of all these courts.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Yeah, I mean I listen as a person. I have
a lot of love for Jalen, a lot of respect
for Jalen. Obviously we went through a h an entire
season together. When and when you're the play caller and
the quarterback, there's a great relationship there. But I'm really
not going to expand much on anybody in the draft
right now, and just know that I have a lot,
a lot of love for Jalen as the man he
is and wish him all the best.
Speaker 10 (08:19):
You expect it to.
Speaker 13 (08:19):
Be there at the I know you were ssrate, but
do you do you plan on being.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
At the senior bel Again, that's up to you know,
the staff to decide how we want to delegate some
of that. You know, obviously the draft process is ongoing
and it's a long process, so we'll have plenty of
opportunities to be around these players.
Speaker 11 (08:35):
You look at the last two years for this offense,
turnovers have been a huge issue. Like what's your plan
or for steps to trying.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
To solve that as of issues, Yeah, you know, I
think when your players are when the message is very clear,
when the expectation on certain plays is very clear, when
the teaching progression allows them to have confidence and play
on time on schedule, I think that helps limit those things. Obviously,
(09:03):
you know, interceptions pile up. We have to make sure
that there is no gray area for those quarterbacks, and
then you know, we got to preach good ball security
for the carriers.
Speaker 6 (09:12):
I mean a couple of the guys who a couple
of tight end you coach last year.
Speaker 11 (09:15):
Said you see everything like a quarterback and.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Teach everything like a quarterback.
Speaker 11 (09:18):
Do you think that's that's a fair assessment.
Speaker 4 (09:22):
I mean, I guess that's been my lens for football
for a long time. You know, I would think that's
a positive, right, But yeah, I think I definitely think
that's part of it. You know. I think when you're
in the quarterback room or in that area of expertise,
like I do, think it's important to be able to
step back and look at it through the lens of
the other ten guys on the field. And I would
(09:43):
say last year being in that role gave me a
great deal of appreciation on how to do that, because
you know, they it's a different sport when you're not
playing quarterback, right, and there's so many little things that
add up that you need to be able to have
that perspective on. And I would say I'm extremely grateful
for that from last.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
Season, Tommy, because you have that unique lens. Does that
make you more critical quarterbacks or maybe more empathetic to
what they're dealing with?
Speaker 7 (10:09):
That?
Speaker 4 (10:10):
Well, if you ask former quarterbacks, they would probably say critical.
If you ask me, I'd probably say empathetic. But look,
the quarterback position is one that there comes a high
demand there. You know, they want to hold themselves. We
got to hold them to a high standard. But you
also need to build confidence and love them up. So
it's a great balancing act and the great ones understand
that and know how that needs to be done.
Speaker 5 (10:30):
You can talk about flexibility and some dynamic quarterbacks names
have always already been brought up today, even in the
short time, even in the league, Tommy, does it seem
like the way a quarterback has to play is changing
and evolving and becoming even more dynamic, flexible, et cetera.
We see guys like Omar, Josh.
Speaker 4 (10:47):
Yeah, etc. I mean, you have the extreme examples, and
then almost all quarterbacks now are able to create and
extend would probably be the right word. That certainly has
changed over time. It doesn't mean the guys that can
are extinct. I just think you start to see that
that with how talented and athletic defensive players are. The
ability to extend and create has definitely taken an uptake
(11:10):
over the last, however many years. I don't think it's
the only criteria, but you certainly see it as a trend.
Speaker 9 (11:16):
Tommy, you talked about obviously last year coming back to
the NFL and the expans you had, but you've never
actually been an offensive coordinated the NFL level. I'm just curious,
like how your stintset Notre Dame, obviously on un Nick,
same Steph at Alabama. How those kind of people prepare
you for this.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
Role at this level.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Yeah, the job's the job, right, I mean again, you're
still managing people first and foremost players and coaches. You're
still in a leadership position. You still need to have
total ownership. So all of those traits that you develop
over that time are critical. You still have to build
relationships with all aspects of your offense because you're not
(11:52):
just in one room, and so all of those traits
that you learn at Notre Dame you learn at Alabama,
those still hold true at this level. You know, I've
been around great players, great coaches at both those stops,
you know, so I feel extremely prepared for this opportunity,
and a lot of that credit goes to, you know,
Notre Dame Alabama, the people that were there, the players
that were there.
Speaker 6 (12:12):
And tell me, after reflecting on last season, do you
feel there needs to be a greater emphasis on the
run game?
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:19):
I mean again, I think we want to be sound
in everything we do. I think we want to put
together a system that our players can have confidence in,
whether that's run or pass or anywhere in between. We
want to make sure that everything we're doing has a
why to it and our players understand that. Why so
to sit here and be critical, you know, I just
think we want to make sure that we're finding ways
(12:39):
to give our players the best chance on the field
every Sunday to win the game. And a lot of
that comes back to the why of what we're doing.
Speaker 6 (12:46):
And did you know Mike Blueger before you got here?
And what do you think he adds to you?
Speaker 2 (12:51):
Just ad?
Speaker 4 (12:52):
Yeah, I mean, look, I've been with Bloom now for
a couple of weeks. I think he's a great addition.
I think he's a great offensive line coach and a
great person. I only knew Bloom through reputation. We have
some mutual you know coworkers that we both worked with
that you know, I have only heard positive things, you know,
dating back ten years of knowing Bloom and or through reputation.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
When you took this job, you think it could lead
to what you're doing now.
Speaker 4 (13:19):
My only focus last year was getting ready to coach
the tight ends. You know, I felt like that was
going to be my priority and my main focus. So
you know, I was trying to be where my feet
were as much as I could and get ready to
own that role.
Speaker 7 (13:33):
Did you use VRT notre damer to set out Obama?
Speaker 4 (13:36):
We used it at both.
Speaker 8 (13:37):
Yeah, prestat penalties were such an issue offensively last year.
Just what do you think the genesis of that was
and what can you do now as you oc to
help clean that up, especially the you know, not lining
up correctly and the illegal emotions.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
Yeah. Look, I think a lot of clarity needs to
be in the teaching progression on how we make sure
that those things are taught, how we practice them. You know,
there are small changes here and there that we can
do in our structure and how we want to make
sure we maximize those things. And you know, we have
to hold ourselves and our players accountable to those and
(14:14):
you know we at times you also have to look
in the mirror and say, okay, well what's feasible and
what's not And if we do that, you know, those
those will get Eradicate him.
Speaker 6 (14:23):
Pressing yesterday when he was talking about the quarterback.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Losses over turn over, I'm just following that if.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
You agree with that and what you look.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
At in terms of success.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
With these success Yeah, I did not see his press conference.
I would say, you know, I agree with the quarterback
has as much influence in a game as any position
in sport.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
You know.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
I think when you're in a high level passing efficiency,
when you're in a high level of efficiency offensively, that
leads to wins and losses. I think the turnover margin
is still a good number, but I think you see
the pass efficiency number in in the NFL continue to
be a good indicator for that, and obviously that's a
big part of playing the quarterback position.
Speaker 11 (15:07):
What what ultimately dre you wanting to.
Speaker 2 (15:09):
Work with Kevin?
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Yeah, you know, I met him a few years back,
you know, through a mutual coach and I just think
his overall view of the game, you know, his dinner,
you know, those were all things that as a coach,
you want to be around people that you feel like
you can learn and grow from and then hopefully, you know,
take part of their style and and continue to help
(15:32):
build your own, you know, coaching philosophy and style, and
you want to be around good people. You're you know,
in the coaching world. There's no secret you spent a
lot of hours in this office, and so to be
or be around a guy like Kevin who is a
great man, a great coach, good person like all those
things make it a very attractive job to me.
Speaker 13 (15:51):
Do you feel as though, since you are not that
far removed from being in the college game and being
well versed in all these college quarterbacks, do you feel
like they're is one in this class that can start
for cle Liver Owns in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (16:04):
Again, I'm not gonna talk about any of the players
that are in the draft, and you know, look forward
to the evaluation process with that.
Speaker 13 (16:11):
In general, though, do you feel like this, I mean,
last year, six quarterbacks came out and a lot of
them have done maybe really well. Do you feel like
this class has some talent, enough talent that some of
these guys can step in and start this year at succeed.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
I look forward to evaluating them. I really do.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
Everyone assumes the offense we'll go back to the twenty
twenty three offense that one to eleven games before you
were here. Is that a correct assumption that would be
more resembling which the fans can did last year?
Speaker 4 (16:40):
Yeah. Mean, I think there's core principles within the system
that we want to major in and own. But you know,
like anything, you're gonna adapt with the times and you're
gonna evaluate what our team is really good at and
make sure that we focus the offense around that.
Speaker 6 (16:54):
I know and working with Tends this year.
Speaker 9 (16:57):
We obviously knew Mike Gravel was heavily involved that could
as well from you know, pushing the season. There was
some talk about, you know, him potentially you being interested
in bringing you over to his staff. But what just
from your perspective, what was that relationship Like seems like
you guys kind of got pretty close and what did
you kind of learn from him.
Speaker 7 (17:14):
To get together?
Speaker 4 (17:15):
Yeah? I love Rabes, you know, we spoke on him
a few weeks back. You know, just being able to
be around a guy who's been a head coach defensive
side of the ball has really spent so much of
his life in the NFL. For me, offensive coach, never
been a head coach, only spent a year previously in
the NFL, So to be surrounded by somebody with all
that experience was really beneficial, just learning kind of the
(17:39):
ins and outs of this level, learning the ins and
outs of this game, and then from a schematic standpoint,
hearing him talk defensive football on how it impacts how
we think offensively was great. You know, as a coach,
being able to see that side and be able to
pull down those curtains and see how they think, you know,
can really make you better on the opposite side of
the ball.
Speaker 11 (17:58):
You know, you talked a little bit about I think
so the last time we talked to you, but along
those lines, just coming in to this team and working
with the tight ends where you're involved in so many
different packers of the offense, Like, how did that How
much of a learning experience was that?
Speaker 3 (18:12):
It was?
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Yeah, it was great. I'll tell you a quick story.
My brother played tight end growing up. Okay, I played quarterback.
We used to always argue about what position was harder,
tight ends, quarterbacks, tight ends quarterbacks Okay, on the field,
I'll still you know, quarterback is still something I'm passionate about.
But I remember texting my brother in the middle of
training camp and being like, Hey, I know this has
been twenty years since we've argued about this, but I
(18:34):
think you were onto something with the whole tight end conversation,
so like run pass protection technique, Like there's so much
that goes into it. And when I'm talking about like
when you remove yourself from the quarterback room and have
to look at things through a different lens, I think
it's so beneficial for somebody that spent as much time
around the quarterback position as I have, or as much
time as a coordinator, and it really gives you a
(18:56):
great perspective on the other parts of the offense.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Tell me along those multiple multiple titan sets have been
something you've used a lot of Notre Dame Alabama. How
much you know, as you kind of you know, does
that sort of align with what Kevin? Also? Does that mean?
How much have you guys sort of talked about that
in terms.
Speaker 8 (19:14):
Of the offense.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Yeah, just I think you want to be versatile on
how you can attack a defense, right and those personnel
groupings adding gaps, adding formations. All of those go into
effect of how you attack a defense. And you know,
we want to be have the ability to be multiple
and have different ways to present challenges to the defense.
Speaker 10 (19:30):
When you think about, you know, you being here when
you were younger, alvo, other than coming in last year
Titans coach moving into this, Like when you think about
your shirt, your connection to the Browns, why is it
so being meaningful for you to step into this role.
Speaker 4 (19:43):
Yeah, I mean that's a large reason why, right, I mean,
growing up my dad worked for however, many NFL teams
for whatever reason, the Browns were kind of the one
that stuck, probably because I was here boots on the ground,
working training camp. You know, those were probably the years
I really started falling in love with football. And so
when I think about my early development in the game,
I early love for the game. So many of those
(20:05):
memories were surrounded by either being here or watching the
Browns on Sunday from home, and so you know, it
has come full circle. You know, I haven't really had
the time to like sit down and think about that,
but you know, I know it's one you know, just
you know, speaking with my brother, speaking with my dad,
Like it is a pretty cool, you know story to
you know, be able to say, Okay, well, when you
(20:25):
really fell in love with the game, it was in
this building, it was watching these games. Now to be
in the position I'm in is something I'm grateful for.
Speaker 2 (20:32):
To mean, you talked about the work on the front
end of.
Speaker 6 (20:36):
You know, before a game day and everything.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
How much do you like that part of the job
and how much do you kind of hope to be
able to kind of set the table with Kevin for
everything he does.
Speaker 3 (20:49):
As a play call?
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Yeah, I mean when you when you put together a
plan and then you see that plan coming to action
on a game day, that's about as rewarding as a feeling.
And when you're able to put together a plan for
your players to have success and then you're able to
see that success transpire on the field, that's about as
rewarding of a feeling you can have in sport. And
so much of that are the hours that you lead
(21:12):
up to the game. You know, the time you spend
in the office. You know, you sacrifice a lot in
these jobs, and a lot of it goes to exactly
what you're speaking to, And you know that's probably my
favorite part of the job is being able to sit
in there and schematically find ways to attack a team,
and then to be able to have that, you know,
come to life on game day, you know, really brings
a lot of you know, a lot of hard work
(21:35):
to life and really brings you know, what you're trying
to do is give your players the best opportunity to
be successful. And when you can do that, it's it's
really a gratifying experience.
Speaker 2 (21:44):
I think you don't want.
Speaker 8 (21:44):
To get into specifics when it comes to maybe the
quarter plans going forward here, but but you'll.
Speaker 10 (21:50):
Well you'll add it.
Speaker 8 (21:51):
You don't walk into a job without knowing exactly what
you're walking into. So do you at least have an
idea of what that plan might be this off season?
Speaker 4 (22:01):
Yeah, Like I you know, said here a little bit ago.
I'm really excited to get to evaluating that and see
what's out there.
Speaker 6 (22:07):
What say you and Kevin see the game?
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Like similarly, Yeah, I think we, you know, have different
experiences in the game. We've grown up in different systems
of the game. I think, you know, the core tenants
of what we believe in, you know, being sound and
being explosive, those things are you know, both really important
to us. But in terms of how you get there,
you know, we have similarities, but there's also going to
(22:29):
be things that both of us see as as new
ways or different ways to accomplish those goals, which I
think is something you want, right. You don't want everybody
to have the same idea. You know, I have a
quote in my office as we're all thinking, like no
one thinks very much, and I think that's really important
with a staff that you're able to, you know, feel
like those guys have the autonomy to bring ideas to
make the entire offense better.
Speaker 6 (22:52):
Do you think you guys connected so quickly that you
know what I mean?
Speaker 4 (22:56):
Yeah, I mean I think there is a lot. I
think we do see a lot of things the same
way and terms of what's important in the game of football.
You know, I just think I have a tremendous amount
of respect for how he handles, you know, his job,
how he handles people, and that's something that you know,
I wanted to be a part of. And you know,
I think that's probably a two way street.
Speaker 13 (23:17):
There's been more, you know, there's been such a vast
difference between supposedly Kevin's old way of doing offense and
then the new more spread RPO stuff that you guys
were trying to do at the outset last year, and
now there's all kinds of talk about they're going back
to Kevin Spansky's old offense. Is there a way to
(23:38):
marry those two things and to really incorporate all of
those elements into an offense and yet still also.
Speaker 10 (23:43):
Have an identity?
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Yes, there is. There is definitely the ability to be
multiple is something that we want. Now, what multiplicity looks
like can look like a lot of different things to
a defense, while it stays very consistent for the offensive players.
And so when I think you talk about scheme, how
you present it is what puts defense at a bind.
And so there are aspects of scheme of things that
(24:10):
have been done in the past, things that we did
last year that are consistent, but how we present it
presents the challenge for the defense. So the identities in
the scheme, the presentation is part of how we keep
people off balance.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Tell me how is your general offensive philosophy? Is there
a kind of a route to where that started, where
you sort of first developed it. I mean, day everybody
says there's that you know, this person.
Speaker 6 (24:36):
Or that, right.
Speaker 4 (24:37):
Yeah, there's a lot of people. I would say when
I was in twenty sixteen, I got the job in
San Diego with the Chargers. I walked into that job
thinking I had pretty good grasp on football. I remember
being completely blown away by the knowledge that the coaches had,
and I would say that year from just a schematic
football standpoint, really changed the way I looked at the game.
(24:59):
And we had you know, Mike McCoy's our head coach,
Ken wiznen Hunt was our coordinator. Nick Sirianni was our
white hot coach. Shane Stikeen was our quarterback coach. You know,
there was a great staff of people around me that
I really leaned into and learned from. And then you know,
you add the stops along the way. I mean certainly,
you know, being under coach Saban and learning how to
how he ran his program and how you do things
(25:21):
day to day, how he looked at the game as
a defensive coach, like, the perspective I was able to
gain from him was something I would value my entire life,
you know, And then I'd be look, I spent nine
years with Brian Kelly as a player, as a coach,
so obviously there's things along the way that I picked
up with him offensively. So I've been fortunate to be
(25:43):
around a lot of great coaches, but I would point
to the year and San Diego is one that really
transformed the way I looked at football. Thank you, guys.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
That'll do it for this special episode of the From
the Podium podcast. To 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
on social media for more coverage from the Cross Country
Mortgage Campus right here in Bourria. I'm Jason Gibbs. Thanks
for listening to the From the Podium Podcast.
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