The Kevin Stefanski: Two-Time Coach of the Year Thread

[Jack Brickman]

Not the best game for Stefanski. A lot of questionable decisions, but his QB did him no favors, and he still managed the game well enough to pull out a W.

If Baker hits even half of the throws he missed, I think we look at this game a lot different from Stefanski. He can't make Baker hit his receivers in stride.

 

[adam81king]

If Baker hits even half of the throws he missed, I think we look at this game a lot different from Stefanski. He can't make Baker hit his receivers in stride.

I think this is understated about the Browns for the last couple seasons (and for the defense, as well). The execution is on the players. If a player is there to make the play, then it's on them; and there has almost always been a player there. It's just bad execution.

 

[Mr. Orange]

I like Stefanski a lot. But his playcalling in high leverage situations has not been great. He tries gadgety type plays with lots of motion and double moves, etc, when a meat and potatoes play will suffice. I am completely on board with his going for it on 4th down in most cases, but….he needs to improve his play calls.

He did a good job the past two weeks of shielding Baker and saying he needs to coach better. And yes he does in some cases.

 

[Vee-Rex]

I like Stefanski a lot. But his playcalling in high leverage situations has not been great. He tries gadgety type plays with lots of motion and double moves, etc, when a meat and potatoes play will suffice. I am completely on board with his going for it on 4th down in most cases, but….he needs to improve his play calls.

He did a good job the past two weeks of shielding Baker and saying he needs to coach better. And yes he does in some cases.

I know it's the shtick to make fun of you around these parts, but I think this is a fair take.

Not often, but sometimes he does try to get too fancy. That 6-7 play goal-line stand by the Vikings comes to mind, until we finally got Kareem in the endzone. It's easy to be like, "Well Baker missed so-and-so!!!" but you generally want to put your offense in the easiest position possible to get first downs/score points.

He has shielded Baker significantly the last couple games and it's obvious (to me at least) he's an elite play-caller and top coach in this league. I love him. So I can't get upset about the occasional blip here and there, that stuff is gonna happen. He earned our respect.

 

[The Oi]

Sometimes Stef pounds the ball through on 3rd and 4th and short asometimes he runs an exotic formation with motion.

I’m not looking back wistfully at the days of Metcalf up the middle and the Dick Jauron one and done types that couldnt hack it because they “kept it simple” on fourth and short.

Couldn’t be happier with how he mixes those plays up. Baker and the line have to execute.

They have and when Baker is healthy again will continue to do so.

For study, let’s compare these reactions:

A: I CANT BELIEVE THEY DIDNT GET THAT FOURTH DOWN. EVERYONE KNEW THEY WERE GONNA RUN IT RIGHT UP THE GUT

B: I CANT BELIEVE THEY DIDNT GET THAT FOURTH DOWN. THEY CANT GET CRAZY WITH THESE TRICK PLAYS

What’s the difference?

 

[2 For The Brew]

The best hot take on the game thread was insisting the Browns should have kicked FGs instead of going for it - AFTER they scored 8 points.

 

[Cassity14]

The best hot take on the game thread was insisting the Browns should have kicked FGs instead of going for it - AFTER they scored 8 points.

I prefer the people who insisted that Stefanski left points on the field by not kicking the first field goal. Clearly he shouldn't follow consistent logic one way or the other!

 

[The Oi]

I have long believed guys should go for it on fourth consistently and it makes me really happy to root for a team with a coach that does it. I love that the surrender index stat exists too.

Soon we’ll see teams consistently pushing it back past their own 50 in non-desperation circumstances and going for it on 4th and long on the right side of the 50. I love it. It’s the right way to play. Control your destiny instead of playing to hold onto your fucking job.

 

[2 For The Brew]

One advantage of going for it on 4th down inside the 5 is that the opponent is backed up deep.

If it's late in the 1st half and you're not likely to get the ball back then the FG might be a better option. Otherwise, with our defense, I think going for it is the better decision.

 

[Mr. Orange]

Sometimes Stef pounds the ball through on 3rd and 4th and short asometimes he runs an exotic formation with motion.

I’m not looking back wistfully at the days of Metcalf up the middle and the Dick Jauron one and done types that couldnt hack it because they “kept it simple” on fourth and short.

Couldn’t be happier with how he mixes those plays up. Baker and the line have to execute.

They have and when Baker is healthy again will continue to do so.

For study, let’s compare these reactions:

A: I CANT BELIEVE THEY DIDNT GET THAT FOURTH DOWN. EVERYONE KNEW THEY WERE GONNA RUN IT RIGHT UP THE GUT

B: I CANT BELIEVE THEY DIDNT GET THAT FOURTH DOWN. THEY CANT GET CRAZY WITH THESE TRICK PLAYS

What’s the difference?

Yeah but Chubb up the middle or Hunt in space is a lot different than Metcalf up the middle. Plus who do you trust more in short yardage? Chubt and the Oline or Baker throwing it?

 

[Kbiz]

As seen in the comments: Fun fact about Stefanski, when he jumps in freezing water his penis actually gets bigger.

 

[FiveThous]

 

[The Oi]

Yeah but Chubb up the middle or Hunt in space is a lot different than Metcalf up the middle. Plus who do you trust more in short yardage? Chubt and the Oline or Baker throwing it?

Chunt right now.

If your question is “based on Baker’s current performance, would I prefer if the Browns run Chunt up the middle on fourth and short instead of have Baker throw downfield,” it’s yes.

If the question is, “would I prefer if the Browns run Chunt up the middle in a standard formation with no motion vs something more exotic?” The answer is no.

If the question is, “prior to Baker’s current slide, would you prefer running Chunt up the middle to Baker throwing?” it’s no again.

I distrust Baker currently. I trust Stefanski and the run game. If Baker gets healthy (assuming that’s the problem and not brain farts or OBJ), then I have no problem with some wacky formations and motion or Baker passing on 3rd and 4th and short.

 

[thestatman]

One advantage of going for it on 4th down inside the 5 is that the opponent is backed up deep.

If it's late in the 1st half and you're not likely to get the ball back then the FG might be a better option. Otherwise, with our defense, I think going for it is the better decision.

This is a great read and spot on.

 

[Lee]

I prefer the people who insisted that Stefanski left points on the field by not kicking the first field goal. Clearly he shouldn't follow consistent logic one way or the other!

Honestly I think he is calling good plays, Baker is missing them, for example that throw to OBJ is an easy throw for a pro qb he missed.

That said, i didnt like kicking that first fg, that is the only decision i distinctly remember disagreeing with.

Thing is, Stefansky has been amazing and has earned my respect to make the call without me saying i am right over him. Just i had an opinion, but i am an armchair qb, not reigning coach of the year and 3-1 in the NFL.