Before the Cleveland Browns take on the Houston Texans in the Wild Card playoff game, read what Head Coach Kevin Stefanski has to say about the team.
The Texans are on the Browns’ minds | Enemy Intel
Regarding the Texans, Cleveland Head Coach Kevin Stefanski said, “C.J. Stroud is an excellent player.” He’s a fantastic player, after all, and we avoided him in the first game. The guys that are returning on defense have injuries that they didn’t have. They have added a few defense-oriented free agents. As everyone is aware, you truly are a new team every week, and the squad we are playing is undoubtedly a different one. But I am aware of the team’s exceptional talent. They have excellent coaching. It’s a fantastic challenge because I have a tremendous deal of respect for DeMeco (Ryans) and his entire coaching staff, but we’re extremely focused on the job that has to be done this week.
Regarding Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, Stefanski said, “He’s amazing.” We were getting ready to play Baltimore and had some crossover tape, so I remember watching him early. I believe that was the first game he played in, and even in that one, you could have seen plays and throws that immediately showed off the kid’s extraordinary talent. He’s a very talented young kid, and from what I understand, the state has watched him play a lot. As coaches, we always seem to go back to the footage. Additionally, he has some excellent tape.”
Jim Schwartz, the defensive coordinator for Cleveland, said the following about Stroud: “Clever with the ball, accurate passer, buys some time, makes big plays down the field.” All things considered, I believe it’s very amazing for a young player that he has passed for so many yards without misfiring. If you throw a lot of yards, you also turn the ball over a lot, which is usually the cost of doing business. What he’s accomplished has been astounding. It will be necessary for us to play tight covering. It will be necessary for us to pursue him during the pass rush. Given how well he performs after the catch, we’ll have to restrict run after the catch.
providing his guys opportunity to run after the catch, notably Nico Collins. It’s among his strongest skills.
Cleveland cornerback Denzel Ward on Stroud: “Real big challenge. This is a new quarterback for their team. Like you said, he’s a Buckeye, so all the Buckeyes are great. So he’s a great quarterback, though. Very accurate passer, puts the ball on the money, can make all the throws on the field, gets the ball to his playmaker, goes through his progressions. So he’s been having a real good year and going to bring a challenge to us that I think we’re up for, though.”
Regarding Stroud, Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco said, “His decision-making and overall appearance have impressed me greatly even just from a distance.” It’s evident that he can toss the ball. I don’t really watch college football, so I didn’t have a chance, but it seems like Ohio State had a player selected at the top of the spring draft every year for the past several years. But it appears that he possesses a great deal of skill, and what’s most amazing about it is that he has made excellent selections all year long. So, definitely, a lot of kudos to him.”
Regarding Stroud, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah said, “We have more video on C.J. than we did on the previous quarterback. Thus, it presents a slight obstacle. Naturally, referring to the staff would be difficult. That’s the kind of player that C.J. is—a fantastic player. After that, they have excellent line and backs. We will therefore have a problem overall, but because we have the entire week, it will be somewhat more understood.”
CB Greg Newsome, II on Stroud: “CJ is not just the best rookie quarterback, but he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the whole entire NFL. He therefore poses many obstacles for us, but I believe we are up to the task.”
“He’s just a really physical football player, can make contested catches, has the speed, and has breakaway speed,” Stefanski said of Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. As you witnessed on the opening play of the game the other night, he is a big play receiver. He is incredibly gifted.”
Regarding Collins, Newsome said, “He’s a big target who excels at the catch point and can run a variety of routes.” You have to be in phase with this person. Play physical with him; he’s a terrific receiver as well. He and C.J. (Stroud) are, in my opinion, one of the league’s best tandems.”
Regarding Collins, Ward said, “He’s a real good receiver as well.” Big receiver, got nice hands, good routes. Most likely his favorite target to date. It is evident that they have a connection, which we will need to exploit in order to get rid of those guys.
Will Anderson, Jr. and Jonathan Greenard are excellent defensive ends for Cleveland, according to offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Last time, we didn’t see Greenard. We know what he provides, but he left early in that game. His output has been
exceptional for this year. Additionally, Anderson is a very gifted pass rusher; their defensive line is their strongest point. We feel that’s a good challenge. Thus, I’m hoping they’re well. We’re hoping for the best from them.”
