Off-season thoughts (Vol. XXII)

Kevin Stefanski spoke for the first time Wednesday regarding the coach-player aspect of his relationship with Deshaun Watson with what appeared to be some resolve.

The Browns' head coach and his brand new quarterback at first blush seem to be polar opposites, at least from a philosophical standpoint, with regard to the club's offensive football approach for the 2022 National Football League season. 

Sort of the gun-slinging quarterback vs. the old-school, button-down head coach. The new guy who loves to strike suddenly, as opposed to the coach who prefers clock-eating, chains-moving, sustained drives that rob the opposition of valuable time. A conundrum seeking a solution before it all starts.

Stefanski addressed the situation with the media for the first time since the Browns stunned the entire NFL universe about a month ago by signing Watson to an historic, fully-guaranteed contract worth $46 million a season.

"You want this to be a collaboration . . . and you want to make sure you meet them where they are, too," he said when asked about any input from Watson about what he wants to run. "Deshaun's very open-minded about trying different things he hasn't done. 

"Similarly, we are very open-minded to putting in schemes he has a lot of success in that we haven't done. . . . So it's an ongoing conversation. But I would tell you spending time with him (the last two days), he certainly wants to grow as a player and . . .  try different concepts."

Stefanski likened it to working in a laboratory in an effort to achieve a satisfactory meeting of the minds by combining the play-calling talents of the head coach and the play-making talents of the elite quarterback for what is hoped a close-to-perfect fit.

Comfort and trust are the most important factors in a relationship like this. Both parties have to reach a level of comfort and trust in their relationship on the field, as well as in the classroom, for the eventuality to click. 

"There are a bunch of things we hope fit and (then) take that into training camp, and certain things he maybe doesn't love you don't do it because it's ultimately (about) what our quarterback is most comfortable with," Stefanski explained.

As the risk of sounding repetitious, Stefanski tried (and failed) to turn Baker Mayfield into a game-managing quarterback. It was anathema to the way he played football his entire life. That lab experiment, to be fair, paved the way to the Browns making the playoffs in 2020 for the first time in nearly two decades.

Now it's entirely possible there might be something in Watson's game that Mayfield lacked and the coach would be more amenable toward tilting his philosophical approach in Watson's direction. That's where the laboratory comes into play.

That most likely will be Stefanski's prime goal in the ramp-up to training camp later thus summer. Vastly improving the wide receivers room is also a factor. It has to be uppermost in Andrew Berry's mind as the college draft approaches and free agency winds down.

Assuming the general manager doesn't trade back into the first round of the lottery, it makes too much sense for him to select a wide receiver in the second round, although there are those who argue for another edge rusher or defensive tackle.

Yes, the defense needs help, primarily along the line. But that side of the football last season was clearly the better unit and kept the Browns in many games. 'Twas the offense that failed. 

Fact: Watson is the most important player on this team. He is making a staggering amount of money and needs to be successful to justify that. He needs help. The quality depth at wide receiver in this draft seemingly makes taking one at 44 in the second round a no-brainer.