At last, it's game week. We made it, and we're celebrating with four of your questions on this wonderful Friday in Berea.
I haven't heard anything about who the team captains are. Who are they and how are they selected? Also, what are the responsibilities of team captains? — Wally N., Old Brooklyn
This topic came up in Kevin Stefanski's meeting Thursday with reporters. The Browns aren't announcing team captains in the traditional sense. Instead, the team will have one captain per game for its 16 games. Stefanski did not specify whether or not a player could repeat as a captain.
"We do have a leadership committee and we do have a social justice committee," Stefanski said. "My message to the players is you do not need a C on your chest to be a great leader."
Stefanski added he knew who the first game captain would be but had yet to notify the player.
The Browns opener in Baltimore features many matchup skill groups, rookies adapting to their first game, and new coaches in their debut. The Browns could change the tradition with a win? — Rob M., Charleston, West Virginia
A win would definitely change the recent history for Cleveland in season openers. That much is a given and there's not much else to say on that topic.
Your mentioning of the rookies got me thinking about a quote from Stefanski on Thursday. He was asked about his confidence in Jedrick Wills Jr. handling the first action of his NFL career. The first-round rookie is slated to start at left tackle, and he'll be one of a number of rookies Cleveland will be counting on right from the start after this most unique of offseasons.
"I would tell you, it is the same level of (confidence) for every single one of our rookies," Stefanski said. "They have not played in an NFL game yet. That is just the nature of the beast, and I have not coached an NFL game yet, either."
Along with Wills, the Browns have third-round LB Jacob Phillips — who could be tasked with a big assignment if Mack Wilson can't play — fourth-round TE Harrison Bryant — who is second on the depth chart behind Austin Hooper — fifth-round C Nick Harris — who would start in the event JC Tretter can't play — and sixth-round rookie WR Donovan Peoples-Jones — who figures to have roles in the WR rotation and on special teams — thrust into the action Sunday. The Ravens have a number of rookies, too, including first-round LB Patrick Queen and second-round RB J.K. Dobbins. The bright lights of the NFL will welcome them in a big way Sunday after none went through a single preseason game.
But the playing field, as Stefanski has mentioned repeatedly throughout the offseason, is the same for everyone. There won't be excuses coming from the Browns.
"We are not interested in excuses," Stefanski said. "I do not think anybody wants to hear them, and we are so focused on 2020."
The Browns' 53 man roster as of December 18, 2020.
Kicker Cody Parkey (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Quarterback Case Keenum (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Punter Jamie Gillan (7) during an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on September 13, 2020 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 6–38.
Wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (11) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (12) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Wide receiver Marvin Hall (18) during practice on December 17, 2020.
Cornerback Tavierre Thomas (20) before a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Safety Andrew Sendejo (23) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (28) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinatti Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns lost won 37-34.
Safety Sheldrick Redwine (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Running Back D'Ernest Johnson (30) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Fullback Andy Janovich (31) during a NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns on October 11, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 32-23.
Cornerback Robert Jackson (34) before a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Safety Jovante Moffatt (35) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Cornerback M.J. Stewart Jr. (36) during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Safety Tedric Thompson (37) (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Safety Karl Joseph (42) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips (50) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) before a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Linebacker Elijah Lee (52) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Center Nick Harris (53) after a NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns on October 11, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 32-23.
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Linebacker Tae Davis (55) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith (56) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Center JC Tretter (64) during an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on September 17, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 35-30.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Offensive tackle Kendall Lamm (70) and Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard (74) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinatti Bengals on October 25, 2020 at Paul Brown Stadium. The Browns lost won 37-34.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans on December 6, 2020 at Nissan Stadium. The Browns won 41 - 35.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns on November 1, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 16-6.
Tight end Harrison Bryant (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Tight end Stephen Carlson (89) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (90) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars on November 29, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field. The Browns won 27-25.
Defensive end Joe Jackson (91) before a NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and Cleveland Browns on September 27, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 34-20.
Linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) before a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns on November 15, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 10-7.
Defensive tackle Vincent Taylor (96) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Defensive end Porter Gustin (97) during a NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns on November 22, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 22-17.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on October 18, 2020 at Heinz Field. The Browns lost 38-7.
Why not have Jack Conklin be at left tackle and Wills at right where he's used to? Wouldn't it have been easier and faster for the more experienced Conklin to adjust instead of a rookie? — Alan P., Akron
From the very beginning, the Browns have viewed Wills as a left tackle and have not been interested in taking shortcuts. One of the biggest reasons why Wills played right tackle at Alabama was because QB Tua Tagovailoa was left-handed, meaning Wills was the protector of his blind side. The Browns believe Wills can be their left tackle for the long haul and are putting him in a position to learn and grow as he plays. Conklin, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the better right tackles in the NFL. Though he played on the left side in college, Conklin has only been a right tackle at the professional level.
How likely could we see offense of the Browns deploy all five TEs at the same time? — Norman B., Sierra Vista, Arizona
This question was obviously submitted before the Browns reduced this room to four, but we're entertaining it anyways to show just how much Stefanski and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt value the position.
The Browns have four tight ends they believe can help them in a big way this season: Hooper, Bryant, David Njoku and Stephen Carlson. Hooper had a big training camp and is coming off his second straight Pro Bowl. Bryant was a standout performer in camp who elevated to second on the depth chart. Njoku is poised for a bounce-back season and Carlson showed flashes as a rookie last year and is anticipated to carry a bigger role on special teams in 2020.
"We will have packages for each guy," I think David was hampered by a little limitation of injury early on that kind of set him back, and then (TE) Harrison's (Bryant) performance kind of elevated him above him at this point. We are a team that is going to be multiple and versatile so having three tight ends on the field is something you will see from us. We will use all of our personnel, and David will be a big part of that."
In a recent interview, Van Pelt described the tight end position as "the quarterback's best friend." With the current roster structure in place, Baker Mayfield should have plenty of best friends in this year's group.
"He is closest to him more often than not in the route progressions. They are easier throws. They are big targets," Van Pelt said. "Having that rapport, I really think that stands for all our tight ends. Our tight ends have done a great job in this camp all the way down the line of being where they are supposed to be. The more they play together, obviously, the stronger that bond becomes. It is those unwritten, the body language things that you can't really coach and teach, and when two guys get on that same page, and it is tough to stop."
