PALM BEACH, Fla. — Browns coach Kevin Stefanski isn't responsible for the construction of the roster. However, he is responsible for the way the roster is utilized through the course of a season.
The roster the Browns had a year ago was both constructed and utilized a year ago ended up with a 3-14 record. Both Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry remained in their current positions after having just been extended last June.
That's made this offseason a critical point for the Browns, and specifically those two. Berry spoke about it during a meeting with a small group of Browns beat writers on Sunday at the NFL owners meetings at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.
On Monday morning, it was Stefanski's turn to speak to that same group of writers. Here's a brief look at some of the major points he made during his 30 or so minutes talking.
Kevin Stefanski, like Andrew Berry, not ready to turn the card in for NFL draft
The Browns are sitting with the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft. They've been doing their due diligence in working out many of the top prospects, as well as the top quarterbacks in the draft.
However, with less than a month until the April 24 first round, Stefanski is with his general manager in terms of not ready to pull the trigger on a decision.
"No, I am not ready to turn the card in yet," Stefanski said. "I think the whole process is really important to me and to us, and there's still quarterbacks that we haven't seen throw live, still haven't gotten to spend time with them. We have guys that we're still going to bring up for our 30 (visits) and then we have our coaches meetings. … I told you guys this before, I'll say it again. I like a lot of guys in this class, not just the quarterback position. I think this is an exciting time. There's really, really good football players."
Kevin Stefanski won't be 'standing on tables' for any player
Stefanski is an offensive guy. His team obviously needs a quarterback in the worst way.
However, he acknowledged Monday that he wouldn't necessarily be trying to steer the pick in one direction.
"The guys we're circling are good football players, whether they're offense or defense that will help our football team," Stefanski said. "So there will be no standing on tables. These are outstanding football players."
Cleveland Browns will be holding joint practices with Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles
Stefanski didn't have much to say in regards to format of OTAs or training camp with a rookie quarterback. However, he did acknowledge the Browns would be doing multiple joing practices in August.
The Browns will be going to Charlotte to do one joint practices ahead of their preseason opener with the Carolina Panthers. That would fall sometime between Aug. 7-10.
The following week, the Browns will travel to Philadelphia for two days of joint practices ahead of a preseason game against the Eagles, fresh off their Super Bowl win. It'll be the third time in four years Cleveland and Philadelphia have conducted joint practices together.
(This story will be updated. Check back here for updates.)
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