In many ways, the Cleveland Browns could not have gone in a more opposite direction when they hired Todd Monken to replace Kevin Stefanski as the team’s head coach. From young to old. From soft spoken to ‘tells it like it is.’ Both are offense-minded, but that might be where the comparisons end.
Monken is also willing to change his mind on things, including when he will identify the team’s starting quarterback. His reasoning is solid, as the coaching staff has preached a desire to win and accountability
throughout the offseason program.
Monken will also run training camp differently from Stefanski. Gone are the days of veteran rest days. While the team has lost many of their older veterans and is stocked with young talent, Monken has no plans to give CB Denzel Ward, DT Maliek Collins, S Grant Delpit, and the other vets days out of uniform:
“No, they don’t get veteran days off. We might monitor the reps, but they’re going to be dressed. That’s what you do as a team. Everybody’s dressed. Again, we might monitor the reps or medically. I don’t do that, medical decides. Besides that, there are no vet days off.”
On the one hand, fans will love the idea of a coach keeping players on the field and practicing. On the other hand, every rep bears a level of risk for injury. It sounds like Monken will attempt to keep a balance with veterans but would prefer that healthy players are always dressed and participating to some extent.
What do you think about Monken taking away veteran rest days?
