BEREA, Ohio – Saturday night, Kevin Stefanski became the first Cleveland Browns head coach since Forrest Gregg in 1976 to win NFL Coach of the Year.
Stefanski accomplished the feat despite unprecedented obstacles for a first-time head coach, which began with a virtual offseason and included a shortened training camp. Despite those, Stefanski guided the Browns to their first playoff appearance since 2002, snapping the NFL’s longest postseason drought. Cleveland then won its first playoff game since 1994, while ending a 17-game losing streak in Pittsburgh.
How did Stefanski do it? Here’s a look back at his magical debut season:
Jan. 14, 2020: Cleveland introduces Stefanski as its 18th head coach.
The Jets have received multiple inquiries from teams interested in trading for Darnold, ESPN s Adam Schefter reported Sunday. Darnold and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz are generating the most buzz (next to the Houston Texans Deshaun Watson, of course), an indication Darnold still is held in high regard around the league despite a career-worst season in 2020.
Talent evaluators, trusting their eyes over spreadsheets in this particular case, see what he can be, not what he is. That he was the third overall pick by the Jets in 2018, ahead of stars such as the Buffalo Bills Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson, undoubtedly is fresh in their memories.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. This wasn t anything close to members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins popping champagne each year when their undefeated season remained unmatched, but for some players on the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots teams, the result of Super Bowl LV amplified something meaningful to them.
Safety Rodney Harrison was one of 41 players who were part of the Patriots back-to-back championships a result of a 32-29 win against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII, followed by a 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a chance to join them on Sunday, which sparked memories for some on those Patriots teams, including Harrison, who tweeted about it.
FRISCO, Texas Drew Pearson thought he was at The Star recently for a potential real estate meeting with Jerry Jones and Roger Staubach. Since the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager and Hall of Fame quarterback are business partners, it made all the sense in the world to the former Cowboys wide receiver.
Then came the knock on the door.
Jones asked Pearson if he wouldn t mind answering. On the other side was Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker to inform Pearson of his enshrinement into football s hallowed ground in Canton, Ohio.
Pearson is the 20th former Cowboys player, coach or executive to earn Hall of Fame honors. Pearson, who wore No. 88 with Dallas from 1973 to 1983, was the only first-team selection to the All-Decade team of the 1970s who had not been enshrined in the Hall of Fame until now.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. What’s the best way to improve the NFL’s worst passing game this offseason?
Pay big money for a No. 1 wide receiver like Allen Robinson or Kenny Golladay? Add another pass-catching tight end?
When asked to address the league’s 32nd-ranked passing attack, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta offered a different take to help quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“One of the things we have to do is get better up front with pass protection,” DeCosta said after the season. “The offensive line, in general, really battled versus some adversity this year. But pass protection is going to be a factor.”