It is really tough for NFL teams to fail the introductory press conference. The Cleveland Browns were no different on Tuesday with the introduction of HC Todd Monken. Monken said a lot of interesting things in his famous gruff voice, but gave away almost nothing when asked questions about DC Jim Schwartz, QB Shedeur Sanders, and other pertinent topics.
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After years of a stoic Kevin Stefanski, fans enjoyed Monken’s emotional approach at the podium, including some cussing
to boot. While that may have been refreshing for some, his statements about what system he runs stood out:
Well, that’s a question I get asked all the time, like what system do you run? What is that? And the way I’ll try to phrase it is to score any way possible. I don’t care what it takes to score, it’s about scoring points. I would hate to put some sort of…any type of connotation as to what system that we are, other than playing to our players’ strengths. I think one of the things that our staff, including myself, have been able to do is take advantage of what a player can do and not what they can’t do. Every player in the NFL is elite, and they all have a trait, at least one trait that allows them to, I don’t want to say this – allows them to function, play at a high level. You just got to find what that is and not try to put a square peg in a round hole, taking advantage of what they do. And I think that’s what we’ve been able to do consistently.
Interestingly, because the talent is already loaded on the defensive side of the ball, Monken had a different take on the “system” discussion:
First off, my anticipation is we’re not going to change the system. Very difficult to go against – not planning on changing the system. We’re built for the system that they’re in currently. And I’m not going to get into staffing, because that’s not at this time to get into that. But they can be rest assured that we’re going to keep the same system. We’re still going to let them attack; we’re still going to let them play free. I can’t see any other way. They’re a big reason why I took this job, the defensive players.
What does that mean for the Browns moving forward? “Best Player Available” has fewer limitations on the offensive side of the ball. With so few core pieces, including RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin Jr. (who can play in pretty much any system), GM Andrew Berry can partner with Monken to get the best players possible, then fit the offense around those cornerstone pieces.
As with any offense, it starts with the quarterback and offensive line. The QB question will likely linger most of the offseason, but Berry and Monken can look at NFL free agency and the NFL draft and put together a plan for the best possible offensive line to establish the team’s identity. If the two decision makers see lighter, faster linemen as the best available at their positions, a movement-based offensive line system will come into play. If bigger, stronger, forward-moving brutes are at the top of those lists, Cleveland fans will cheer on more man blocking.
It is refreshing to hear a coach (of any kind, not a shot at Stefanski in particular) whose focus is on players first, then the system that fits those players second. Monken is confident that he can develop an offense around the players he has on the field.
More simply put, “give me the talent, I’ll make it work” could be Monken’s tag line, and I like that.
Do you think Monken’s system/talent thoughts are realistic in the modern NFL and will be successful for the Browns?
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