Browns history: Kevin Stefanski continues to get the band back together with Falcons

@tiamat63 said:

Swope was a fine complimentary player. 

The foundation of what made Sumlins offense go was built around a dominant X - Evans.  Without it, that offense doesn't get off the ground and Sumlin is fired much faster than what he was. 

And Sumlin was at least smart enough to see that as JFF and Evans worked magic against the varsity as freshmen scout team players.

@texasag1969 said:

And if I recall correctly the only thing that kept him from matching Evens that one year together was a couple of concussions kept him out of playing time.

Swope was a fine complimentary player. 

The foundation of what made Sumlins offense go was built around a dominant X - Evans.  Without it, that offense doesn't get off the ground and Sumlin is fired much faster than what he was. 

@calfoxwc said:

we need someone who is going to hold people accountable when they aren't doing what they're supposed to do."

Gotta love Denzel Ward!     Am I right that he made it through the season without a concussion?

He's a wimp. Denzel Ward demands accountability, that will come with the new head coach.

Sadly, it is also what Josh Cribbs had talked about back in the day a bit.

Next Browns coach: Why Denzel Ward demands accountability

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/cleveland-browns/news/next-browns-coach-why-denzel-ward-demands-accountability/b50cb7d5ba76bed6a632463d

"

Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward following Kevin Stefanski’s firing. Ward didn't hold back, stating the locker room needs "assertiveness" and "accountability".

"We need someone to hold guys to a higher standard," Ward told reporters. "We didn't play complementary football... we need someone who is going to hold people accountable when they aren't doing what they're supposed to do."

"

@flugel said:

Good point Aggies!  Yeah, we've talked about Swope and his speed.  He was actually drafted by Miami but 1 concussion too many ended his career.  Too bad - he was a stud! Back to Evans, his size still commanded attention so that made Swope even more DANGE-RUSS.

And if I recall correctly the only thing that kept him from matching Evens that one year together was a couple of concussions kept him out of playing time. I don't recall how much he missed though, just that it was cumulatively at least a game if not more. He played in all 13 games, but he missed time in some. Back then they didn't have the more restrictive protocols like they do now. 

Here is his college summary: He was far better than people here give him credit for being. Still owns the single season and career reception records. 

"As a sophomore at Texas A&M in 2010, Swope and Jeff Fuller both broke Rod Bernstine's 24-year-old school single-season receptions record with 72.^[2] As a junior the following season, Swope broke his own record for receptions and set the record for single-season receiving yards with 89 catches for 1,207 yards. He also had 11 receiving touchdowns that year, which at the time was the second highest single-season total on school history. As a senior in 2012, he set the school record for career receptions with 252.^[3] Although his single-season yardage record has since been broken by Mike Evans, his season and career reception records both still stand."

@tiamat63 said:

 When Matt Ryan was hired in ATL, Stef immediately became the most natural fit. 

It should be telling that a QB, who had his best year in 2016, hires the HC who brings similar offensive structures. 

I must be living under a rock. I had no idea Matt Ryan was the Falcons President. 

That's quite a jump.

@tiamat63 said:

 When Matt Ryan was hired in ATL, Stef immediately became the most natural fit. 

It should be telling that a QB, who had his best year in 2016, hires the HC who brings similar offensive structures. 

Not particularly happy to see him in the NFCS

@texasag1969 said:

I know this may come as a surprise, but the year JFF won the Heisman Evans had only 5 TD receptions. Ryan Swope, the SR WR, had 8 believe it or not. Now Evans had more receptions and just over 1100 yds to Swope's just over 900, but it wasn't really all Evens. And in the win over Alabama it was definitely Swope making the difference. If fact he's the one that caught that crazy "butt fumble" recovery and TD throw by JFF.

Good point Aggies!  Yeah, we've talked about Swope and his speed.  He was actually drafted by Miami but 1 concussion too many ended his career.  Too bad - he was a stud! Back to Evans, his size still commanded attention so that made Swope even more DANGE-RUSS.

@flugel said:

Let's hope Mike Evans retires so we don't have to worry about the cheesecakes passing game on steroids version that the 6'5" phenom on the perimeter created.  The winning % without Mike Evans was losing all 4 games he didn't play in during 2024 as well as most games he didn't play in during 2025.  He matters just ask Johnny Blutarsky-Manziel.  That said, we will have to stop the run from the Bucs that hasn't been easy for their opponents while the Browns also gave up serious charity on the ground as Myles got closer to the sack record. We're probably the only fanbase that experienced their favorite team getting gashed by TN's running game in 2025; so it gives me great displeasure to say I "Remember the Titans"...  

I know this may come as a surprise, but the year JFF won the Heisman Evans had only 5 TD receptions. Ryan Swope, the SR WR, had 8 believe it or not. Now Evans had more receptions and just over 1100 yds to Swope's just over 900, but it wasn't really all Evens. And in the win over Alabama it was definitely Swope making the difference. If fact he's the one that caught that crazy "butt fumble" recovery and TD throw by JFF.

Matt Ryan's comments hint at disconnect between Kevin Stefanski and the Browns

Ryan said the quiet part out loud about the NFL's view of Stefanski in a statement on Saturday night.

"We're thrilled to land a lead-by-example leader in Kevin Stefanski who brings a clear vision for his staff, our team and a closely aligned focus on building this team on fundamentals, toughness and active collaboration with every area of the football operation. His experience in Cleveland and Minnesota has given him a great understanding of the importance of working in sync with scouting, personnel and the rest of the football staff to maximize talent across the roster and in doing everything possible to put our players in the best position to succeed."

Hearing him talk about being in "active collaboration with every area of the football operation" and "working in sync" with everybody else doesn't sound like a coincidence. Way too many times, it seemed that GM Andrew Berry and Stefanski weren't on the same page, especially in regards to the quarterback situation.

Stefanski clearly thought that Dillon Gabriel was his guy, and Berry seemed to want Shedeur Sanders. Berry traded the recently benched Joe Flacco without consulting with Stefanski, thus forcing his hand to play Shedeur once Gabriel got hurt. Stefanski also reportedly didn't want the team to trade for Deshaun Watson.

As for Haslam, he's drawn a reputation for being way too involved with the operation. While having an owner that cares is usually a good thing, he's meddling too much instead of trusting the people he hired to do a job in the front office.

Saying that a two-time Coach of the Year was a bad coach would be unfair and inaccurate. Of course, he must be held accountable for all the losing and — above all — the subpar offensive performances.

That being said, he did what he could with the hand he was given, and not having the head coach and the ownership on the same page will rarely lead to success.

@kvoethe said:

Wow. 

I wish him well, the Falcons have some offensive weapons. 

But I'm calling it now, the ATL game in 2026:

Browns 17 Falcons 12

#woof

@dutch-oven said:

And we’ll be seeing both next season 

Let's hope Mike Evans retires so we don't have to worry about the cheesecakes passing game on steroids version that the 6'5" phenom on the perimeter created.  The winning % without Mike Evans was losing all 4 games he didn't play in during 2024 as well as most games he didn't play in during 2025.  He matters just ask Johnny Blutarsky-Manziel.  That said, we will have to stop the run from the Bucs that hasn't been easy for their opponents while the Browns also gave up serious charity on the ground as Myles got closer to the sack record. We're probably the only fanbase that experienced their favorite team getting gashed by TN's running game in 2025; so it gives me great displeasure to say I "Remember the Titans"...  

@canton-dawg said:

Seems ironic that Stefanski will now have to see Mayfield twice a year.

And we’ll be seeing both next season 

@texasag1969 said:

Oh, come on now. How will you ever compete for the cal 2.0 title if you can't aggressively come back here to keep us updated weekly about how much better he is in Atlanta a la Tampa Bay??

Seems ironic that Stefanski will now have to see Mayfield twice a year.

@texasag1969 said:

Oh, come on now. How will you ever compete for the cal 2.0 title if you can't aggressively come back here to keep us updated weekly about how much better he is in Atlanta a la Tampa Bay??

I'm one of those weirdos that is a Browns fan who wants to talk about, well, the Cleveland Browns. 

@dutch-oven said:

I have zero hard feelings towards Stefanski - he was a decent head coach (with some flaws of course) whose time here got derailed by poor front office decisions. I'll probably root passively for him.

Oh, come on now. How will you ever compete for the cal 2.0 title if you can't aggressively come back here to keep us updated weekly about how much better he is in Atlanta a la Tampa Bay??

It should be telling that a QB, who had his best year in 2016, hires the HC who brings similar offensive structures. 

@flugel said:

Good for him!  I don't understand the hatred some have for him.   That said, when things got stale someone had to take all the blame; and it wasn't going to be Andrew Berry.  Only 1 good draft since signing Watson says Berry should be recruiting for the Harvard Football Program instead of being way overpaid in Cleveland...

I have zero hard feelings towards Stefanski - he was a decent head coach (with some flaws of course) whose time here got derailed by poor front office decisions. I'll probably root passively for him.

Not enough to start another HaTeRz thread, of course. 

@nickers said:

Because he's a stupid mother fucker... I'm glad he's gone.. I hope he takes Tommy Rees and his archaic offense with him...

You're one of many that feels that way Nicks so I have no problem with it.  Things went stale whether I understand 1 scapegoat doesn't make the sum Berry & Haslam any brighter or not.  I just wish Andrew Berry got way more credit than he did for the overall HOT mess the final 2 years or not.  If the new HC is an offensive guy you'll probably get your wish with getting rid of Rees (it may still happen if it's a DC).

Stay tuned...

@texasag1969 said:

Now how do you really feel about him. Don't hold back!?

Never!

@nickers said:

Because he's a stupid mother fucker... I'm glad he's gone.. I hope he takes Tommy Rees and his archaic offense with him...

Now how do you really feel about him. Don't hold back!?