Takeaways from Kevin Stefanski's Combine Presser

At the NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Kevin Stefanski had his press conference. Most of the important elements revolved around the changes on the coaching staff as well as a few announcements regarding their summer calendar.

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski took his turn at the podium during the NFL Scouting Combine. Most of the questions he answered revolved around the coaching hires the team has made including several that only became official in the last week. Stefanski clarified on some roles, but also provided some bread crumbs that may help to explain why changes were made in the first place.

Just as a practical matter, Stefanski noted that he was honored that the Browns would be able to participate in the Hall of Fame game as Joe Thomas gets inducted. The Browns will begin their training camp a week early, but will balance it out by cutting a week from their work in May and June.

The Browns will once again have a series of joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year, they took place in Cleveland. This year, they year they will take place in Philadelphia week two of the preseason.

Stefanski was asked about new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Unprompted, he threw this in. "I think he does an unbelievable job with coaches. So just listening him coach the coaches, listening to him talk about his scheme and the things we're gonna do, he's well on his way and doing a nice job."

Everything else was a platitude, but Stefanski specifically honed in on this element. It's just difficult to think this wasn't an issue with Joe Woods and one of the major reasons the team made the switch. Schwartz discussed this in his introductory press conference as well. It just seems important to Stefanski and was a major focus of this hire.

When Stefanski discussed Bubba Ventrone, he spoke on his background, but nothing specific about coaching. It was interesting to hear that Stefanski and Ventrone competed each other in college. Stefanski was a a safety at Penn and Ventrone played at Villanova.

Additionally, Stefanski said Stephen Bravo Brown would continue to work with special teams. While he didn't put a label on it, that would suggest he will retain his assistant special teams coach title. It's too early to tell at this point, but it might suggest the Browns view Bravo as someone they like to eventually coach special teams. Ventrone is openly hoping to become a head coach in the NFL and assuming the current structure continues to be in place, Bravo might be an option to learn from Ventrone and then take his place.

With Alex Van Pelt coaching quarterbacks, Bill Musgrave was hired to be the senior offensive assistant and will be everywhere else. Specifically not in the quarterback room. Musgrave's experience at Cal the past two years and with Chip Kelly when he was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles could be useful as the Browns potentially evolve their offense to spread the field more. Stefanski being the one to mention the note about Kelly might indicate that was part of the appeal.

Stefanski confirmed that Callie Brownson will be focused entirely on being the assistant wide receivers coach, meaning she will no longer be the Chief of Staff. This suggests that even though the Browns have their main positions filled, the staff is likely not finalized.