BEREA — The Browns coordinators have their first regular-season game plan to prepare this week as the opener against the Cincinnati Bengals nears. All three also have plenty of questions they’re facing, both about their own personnel and the Bengals.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone all had media availability Sept. 4. Questions ranging from quarterbacks to the Cincinnati duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to a brand-new kicker were among the ones they faced.
Here’s a look at some of the main highlights of what the three coordinators had to say heading into the opener.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on QB Joe Flacco
The Browns announced Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback on Aug. 18. That’s provided multiple weeks for Flacco and the offense to establish a rhythm.
“You see his intensity continue to show through,” Rees said. “He was great during training camp and then it’s been fun to game plan and prepare and get ready for opponents. A lot of open dialogue on comfort level, on how we’re going to protect things on seeing different things. So when you have a guy with as much experience as he does, there’s a lot that you can ask of a quarterback and he owns that role and he’s still great with the guys, giving them confidence and providing just a calming presence for all those young guys that are playing force.”
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden
Rees and new Bengals’ defensive coordinator Al Golden crossed paths for the 2022 season while both were coordinators under Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. Rees left for Alabama in 2023, while Golden stayed on through last season.
“I really like Al,” Rees said. “What a great dude did a great job at Notre Dame. Obviously I was following it, being my alma mater. So happy for what he did there, but very diverse in his defensive scheme. Has answers to try to take away what you do really well. Put those guys in positions to have a lot of success. Brought an advanced way to look at defensive football to that group and obviously had great results and I expect him to do the same in Cincinnati.”
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on developing gameday flow with Kevin Stefanski
Rees may be the offensive coordinator, but head coach Kevin Stefanski will be calling the plays during the games. The two worked throughout the preseason on establishing what was the best setup for the two to work in coordinationg for the team’s success.
“When you’re kind of working hand in hand, all offseason goes smooth, all putting it together goes smooth,” Rees said. “Game day is a different deal. And so we tested being down, we tested being in the box, what works best for our flow. We felt like me being up was the best set of tools that we could have for the game day, for the communication, for the vision from the box. That’s where I’ve been most of my career calling it.
“So to have that same viewpoint to help has been important but it’s been really seamless. I think we see the game through a very similar lens. As much as I can support him on game day, that’s part of my job and making sure that we put our players in the best position.”
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond
Rees was the one Browns coach most familiar with rookie wide receiver Isaiah Bond prior to the team signing him Aug. 18. The two were together in 2023 when wide receiver was in his second season at Alabama, the same year Rees was the offensive coordinator.
“IB and I were together one year, really a rewarding year as a coach and as a player for him,” Rees said. “But he came to work every day. We had no issues with the work ethic, no issues with him learning it and understanding what his role was and he made a ton of big plays for us that season and that was something that was called upon on him and asked of him and really had a good relationship throughout the year.
“I think his skillset, obviously the speed’s there, but for a speed player has the ability to be variable in his route running and give us some different tools there. So he’s come in, learned it, has handled himself the right way, being kind of a late add to the group and we’ll see continue to how we progress with him and excited to see where that can go.”
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on Browns’ defensive line potential
The Browns invested a top-five pick (Mason Graham) into their defensive line during the offseason. They also made other additions, including signing former first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, to bolster the group around All-Pro Myles Garrett and rising defensive ends Isaiah McGuire and Alex Wright.
Schwartz was asked about the potential of the defensive line to be the best he’s coached, at least in Cleveland.
“We will see, right?,” Schwartz said. “But I think they have the makings of that. I think one of the biggest things is we’re able to play a true form of attack now because of those and we have improved players. … I think we have the makings of it, but when it’s all said and done, we got to prove it on the field. I like where we’re going, but let’s not crown ’em just yet.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger
Schwartz was asked about second-round pick, linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Specifically, he was asked about the rookie’s quick ability to gain the trust of everyone.
“When I was at Buffalo, I had a rookie, Preston Brown that was similar,” Schwartz said. “He was third- or fourth-round draft pick, I can’t remember which, played almost every snap on defense. That guy had led the NFL and tackles for like three years in a row, but he just had a similar demeanor and nothing was too big for him. Went out and just did his job. Earned the respect that the other players.
“It’s one thing earning the respect of your position coach, it’s earning the respect and the trust of your coordinator, but just as important to that is earning the trust of your teammates. And I know our guys have a lot of trust in him because of what he’s done on the field and in the classroom. I was haunting the hallways here late one night and looking for some snacks and went into the linebacker room and he was in there watching film. So that kind of stuff earns your trust, not just as a coach but also as a teammate.”
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on rookie Mason Graham
The Browns traded out of No. 2 to No. 5 in the first round of the draft, picking up an extra 2026 first-round pick. They also selected Graham, who Schwartz is trying to contain his feelings about the player’s potential.
“I get maybe cautiously guardedly optimistic because I haven’t really thought about that in a while,” Schwartz said. “Particularly the way that he played against the Rams, the way he practiced against Philly (Philadelphia). I think it’s in his body now. I mean we see the quickness. He made a big effort to change his body type to be a little bit more lean and dropped a little bit of weight. But his movement skills have been outstanding. He’s really good with his hands and he just has really good instincts. So I’m guardedly optimistic.”
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone on confidence in new kicker Andrew Szmyt
The Browns are turning their kicking game over to Andre Szmyt this season. Szmyt has yet to kick in a regular-season NFL game.
“I honestly think it was more just the consistency overall,” Ventrone said. “We felt that that was the best way to go. The consistency with the practice, the consistency with the results in the game, and at the end of the day we felt it was the best thing to do.”
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone on kickoff, punt return specialists
The Browns signed veteran wide receiver DeAndre Carter in the offseason to assist the return game. Ventrone was asked about the overall depth at that position.
“I think the kickoff stuff, you could see a handful of guys back there,” Ventrone said. “And then the punt returner. obviously Deandre’s our guy back there, so feel good about him. He’s had a lot of production in his career. Very smart. Communicates well, good leader. I think those things stand out whenever you’re acquiring a veteran player that has experience, especially whenever you’re playing in conditions like we do. I think that that’s important to be able to have a guy that knows and has experience back there.”
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What Tommy Rees, Jim Schwartz, Bubba Ventrone said | Browns coordinators on season opener
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
