The speculation surrounding the future of Kevin Stefanski has intensified
The Cleveland Browns will put the finishing touches on their preparations for the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns are a team desperate for a win and a respectable offensive showing but another new offensive line could create even more issues.
Earlier this week, head coach Kevin Stefanski shocked the local reporters when he announced that he would be turning over play-calling to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. This marks the first time during the Stefanski era that the head coach won’t be responsible for those duties in a regular season game.
Many have speculated that the move could ultimately signal the end of his time as head coach of the Browns. As much as it pains me to consider the possibility, it is one that I have spent a great deal of time pondering over the last few weeks.
The team, especially the offensive unit, has been the worst we have seen at a historic clip. It’s so bad that if Stefanski were to stay, wholesale changes would be required again to the offensive staff.
Two years ago, the team determined that a new direction was needed on defense when they fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods and replaced him with Jim Schwartz. He proved to be just what the doctor ordered to get a talented young core of players to play fast at an elite level last season.
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While the defense hasn’t had the same level of success this year, there are very positive developments taking place. Young players are continuing to show growth, and the unit has demonstrated the “change up to the fastball” talked about all off-season over the last few games.
The Browns attempted a radical overhaul on offense this season by ultimately turning over a majority of the staff. Despite the success to close out last year’s improbable run, there were many points prior to Joe Flacco taking over that looked stale.
Today, the Browns possess an offense that ranks last in most statistical categories and advanced metrics across the league. Compounding matters has been the absolute lack of focus by players who appear unmotivated to do their jobs.
There will continue to be an ongoing conversation until either general manager Andrew Berry or Stefanski takes the fall for this abysmal season. Berry isn’t faultless in all of this, and there are many questionable decisions that he made in the offseason.
Perhaps both will be held accountable. However, the GM is responsible for bringing in talent, and prior to the season, Cleveland had what many believed to be a top-five roster. If you have a beef with him over trading for Deshaun Watson, I’d argue that the highest-rated quarterback in history became available at the age of 26.
If he didn’t accomplish his job duties by going out and beating thirteen other general managers to get him, then I don’t know what else to say. It was Stefanski’s job to put Watson in a position to resemble the success that he had proven was possible.
Sure, there are reasons that haven’t been all under Stefanski’s control, but showing up with a prepared and motivated team is two of his core responsibilities, and he has succeeded at neither this season.
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This brings us to the topic of Mike Vrabel and a scenario that was impossible to imagine during the offseason. The question for today’s discourse is this: Does hiring him after the season provide a strategic advantage over starting from scratch?
If the Browns decide a change is necessary, you would normally assume that they would wipe the slate clean. However, there are positives that can’t be overlooked by hiring Vrabel.
First, it would be a very popular move for the loudest segment of the fanbase that is furious over the Watson failure. They are also the same fans who scream that Stefanski is too soft on players and would see him as an instant upgrade.
Next, Vrabel, being familiar with the inner workings of this season, would naturally have very strong opinions on what the issues are that need to be fixed. Everything from practice structure to player evaluations could be decided on without wasting any time.
Finally, keeping Schwartz as the defensive coordinator would help maintain some continuity. He and Vrabel already have a close working relationship from their time in Tennessee.
As a defensive specialist, Vrabel would also help Schwartz as a guardrail from his own worst tendencies of becoming too predictable throughout the course of the season. Make no mistake, hiring Vrabel would also come with its own set of concerns.
The most pressing would be his ability to put together an offensive staff that can help develop whichever young quarterback the Browns tie their fortunes to next. The ideal model would be what Detroit has built across the lake with a tough motivator as head coach and an up-and-coming offensive play-caller.
Vrabel has earned a reputation as a “my way or the highway” kind of leader, and that can be a detriment at times and over the long term. Anyone hiring him as a head coach would have to bet that he is able to develop his own change-up.
Now, I want to hear your thoughts. Would it be an advantage for the Browns? Let me know in the comments below.