Browns Head Coach Eager For ‘Great Challenge’ Of Facing Patriots

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski knows he will have his hands full on Sunday when he coaches against Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Stefanski hired Vrabel to serve as a coaching and personnel consultant with Cleveland last season. With Vrabel as the head coach of the Patriots, Stefanski is preparing for a challenging game.

“It’s going to be a great challenge,” Stefanski said on Monday. “Coach Vrabes is somebody that I admire in this profession, how he goes about his business. He was very impactful for us while he was here, while we borrowed him for a bit. But they’re playing really good football, and they’re talented on all three sides of the ball. They’re well coached. So, it’s going to be a great challenge for our football team.”

Although Vrabel was only with the Browns for a year, Stefanski said he learned a lot from him.

“Vrabes is a good friend. Wanted him around the building as much as we could get him last year,” Stefanski said. “Like I told you guys when we brought him in, there’s only so many times you can go skiing. So, he was excited to get back to work. But, yeah, I think it’s just the friendship there, and somebody I trust.”

With Stefanski being familiar with Vrabel, he expects the coach to have the Patriots well-prepared for Sunday’s game.

“We’re in here now watching the tape with the guys to make those necessary corrections,” Stefanski added. “And then we’ll move on very quickly to New England. Big road game for us, so we’ll have to have a great week of practice.”

The Patriots are 6.5-point favorites at home against Cleveland in Week 8.