Every NFL preseason, the issue of fights during joint practices tends to arise.
Tensions escalate, leading to physical altercations between players, sometimes even involving swinging helmets.
Coaches are faced with the dilemma of how to handle these situations.
Some, like Jets coach Robert Saleh, may view fighting as an inevitable part of summer football.
Others, such as the coaches of the Colts and Eagles, may decide to cancel practice after consulting with each other.
However, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski has a unique approach.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Stefanski has established two sets of protocols for dealing with players involved in fights during joint practices.
If a starter is involved in a fight, they will be required to play in Cleveland’s next preseason game.
On the other hand, if a backup is involved, they will be benched for the following preseason game, thereby missing out on valuable playing time that could affect their chances of making the final 53-man roster.
This is different: #Browns HC Kevin Stefanski has a rule if there are fights in a joint practice:
If it involves a starter: He now has to play in the upcoming preseason game.
If it's a backup who is fighting for a roster spot: He now can't play in the upcoming preseason game,… pic.twitter.com/EEo2Luj9dt
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 23, 2023
Breer provided an example involving Panthers cornerback Troy Hill, who, while playing for the Browns in August 2021, engaged in a scuffle with Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard during a joint practice.
As a starter, Hill was then compelled by Stefanski to play in the Browns’ next game.
Some may perceive this approach as Machiavellian, but it is undoubtedly different from the strategies adopted by other coaches.
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