Stephen A. Smith unleashed: Why Kevin Stefanski’s coaching 'failed' the Browns

Andy McNamara

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Stephen A. Smith unleashed: Why Kevin Stefanski’s coaching 'failed' the Browns image

© Kirby Lee

“I don’t want to hear about two-time Coach of the Year honors! I don't want to hear about ‘stability’ or ‘culture’ when the product on the field is a flat-out disaster!”

On ESPN's First Take, analyst Stephen A. Smith sounded off on the blame now fired former head coach Kevin Stefanski deserved over the Browns failures.

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Smith rattled off the names of the QBs Stefanski has worked with over his six seasons...several of which would seem difficult for any head coach to win with. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Nick Mullens, Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson, P.J. Walker, Jeff Driskel, Bailey Zappe, and Dillon Gabriel, are just a few of the options that suited up under Stefanski's tenure.

"It's a tough list, I understand that...if you're telling me he has no say. If you're telling me a two-time Coach of the Year is forced to be mute, and have no impact whatsoever, then I'm with you," Smith barked.

That was in reply to First Take co-host Dan Orlovsky who blamed the Browns front office's personnel moves more than the coaching. 

What's interesting is that Stefanski having little to no say on what quarterbacks were on the team has been widely rumored and reported as factual from Cleveland sports media. The "collaborative" thinking of the entire braintrust on QB decisions is believed to have left him more of a 'yes man' in the organization.

If the reports of Stefanski's lack of sway on these signal-caller choices are true, then Smith neutered his own argument by flooding the blame to the now former Cleveland sideline boss.

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