Browns: Kevin Stefanski reflects on Joe Flacco’s 2023 debut against Rams
It has not been a normal season for the Cleveland Browns in 2023 because it never comes that easy in Northeast Ohio. Week 13 was another example of how weird this season has been for the 7-5 Browns. Joe Flacco started a football game for Cleveland, a team he dominated as an opponent for years. […]
It has not been a normal season for the Cleveland Browns in 2023 because it never comes that easy in Northeast Ohio.
Week 13 was another example of how weird this season has been for the 7-5 Browns. Joe Flacco started a football game for Cleveland, a team he dominated as an opponent for years.
Flacco has been thrown into the fire with injuries piling up for the Browns at quarterback. Cleveland signed him off the street a couple of weeks ago and he stepped up and made a start for the team in Week 13.
“Operationally, I thought Joe did a nice job,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday. “We were sharp getting in and out of the huddle. We weren’t perfect. There were a few things that we did alignment-wise that weren’t great. But I thought Joe did a nice job in the huddle, which you’d expect from a veteran like Joe.”
Flacco completed 23-of-44 passes for 254 passing yards and a touchdown. There was an interception that Flacco wishes he could have back. Still, it was a solid game from the veteran and he got everyone involved. Elijah Moore had his best game of the season with four catches resulting in 83 receiving yards.
“Yeah, I think we had nine guys with receptions and I think if we’re doing our job, that should be what it is because the ball always goes where the ball goes based on the defense.”
Cleveland’s offensive line stepped up even though they’re not a full health. Flacco was sacked twice, but they came late when the Rams were able to pin their ears back and get after the passer.
The nice thing about having Flacco out there is that he is not afraid to push the ball downfield.
“Joe had a good pocket to step up in and make decisions like that. To your point about making aggressive throws, I think all quarterbacks kind of know themselves and what throws they can make and what windows they can fit them into. And when you feel confident, you let it rip, and when it’s not there, you move on and you try to find a completion elsewhere,” Stefanski explained.
There has been no quarterback decision for Week 14 with Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the concussion protocol. Either way, I expect that Flacco will be out there again against the Jaguars.
Browns learned who their starting quarterback should be for the rest of the season vs. Rams
The Browns have found their starter for the rest of the season, or at least they should have.
