Surrounded by some of the most talented players in the NFL at this week's Pro Bowl, Joel Bitonio acknowledged Thursday "I've got my feelers out" as he learns more and more about his new head coach.
The veteran offensive lineman has liked what he's heard about Kevin Stefanski, most of which has matched what he gleaned during his one-on-one meeting with him last week, and he's especially enthralled by the kind of offense Stefanski could bring to Cleveland for 2020 and beyond.
"We talked for 10-15 minutes finding out about each other. We didn't go into the scheme or anything like that. We're going to figure that out as we go," Bitonio said Thursday during a phone interview from Orlando on "Cleveland Browns Daily."
"Just getting to know him, I think like everyone else who has met with him, I came away impressed … Like he said in the press conference, it's going to take work. That's what I think he's down for. He's putting together the staff, taking his time, finding the right guys. I think we're going to be ready to work when it comes to the offseason program."
Bitonio's ears perked up when Stefanski reiterated how important it will be to "marry" the run and the pass. That, combined with the zone blocking concepts Minnesota's offense utilized while Stefanski was coordinator, brought back pleasant memories of 2014 for Bitonio, who was a rookie on an offensive line that paved the way for a strong Cleveland ground attack.
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The Vikings ranked sixth in the NFL last season with 133.3 rushing yards per game and were one of the most effective and efficient play-action passing teams in the league. The Browns in 2014 were one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL before Pro Bowl center Alex Mack went down with a season-ending injury.
Bitonio said the concepts are simple, but the plays can wreak havoc on defenders who are fooled by the looks and variety of outcomes that can come from the same exact formation they saw on a previous play. To Bitonio, it's similar to the kind of offense that San Francisco -- coached by Kyle Shanahan, who was the Browns offensive coordinator in 2014 -- has ridden all the way to the Super Bowl.
"It's happening one after the other to mess with the defense's eyes," Bitonio said. "I think that's one of those things he's been known to do well from what guys have told you. He's not going to be one of those guys to (yell) at you everywhere. He's going to be 'this is what's expected, this is what I expect from you on the field and we're going to go do that.'
"You saw the Niners in the NFC Championship game. I don't know if we're ever going to pass the ball eight times in a game like they did, but when you're running the ball so well and you take your shots in play-action, it all sort of works out."
As Stefanski has stressed, getting the Browns offense -- and team as a whole -- back on track after a disappointing season will take plenty of hard work. It starts in April with an offseason program that will feature a lot of the same faces player-wise and a lot of new faces on the coaching staff.
The first interaction between one of the longest-tenured Browns and the newest Browns head coach is already in the books. Many more will follow before Cleveland's players can even start digesting a new set of X's and O's.
"When you talk to him one on one, he seems very invested and I think that's pretty cool in a head coach when you have so much going on," Bitonio said. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I think his plan is a good plan and I think we're going to move in the right direction. But it's going to take work."
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FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) signals to teammates before a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, in Gainesville, Fla. Davidson was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) celebrates in the student section as the fans rush the field following a 48-45 win over Alabama in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) celebrates a stop against Alabama during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
California safety Ashtyn Davis (27) defends against Utah in the second half in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
California safety Ashtyn Davis adjusts his helmet during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
UCLA wide receiver Jaylen Erwin, left, breaks a tackle by California safety Ashtyn Davis before heading in for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
California safety Ashtyn Davis (27) tackles Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. California won 28-20. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Michigan offensive lineman Ben Bredeson plays against Nebraska in the first half of an NCAA football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (74) blocks against Rutgers in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan offensive linemen Ben Bredeson (74) and Jon Runyan (75) block Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, center, during a play in the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Michigan offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (74) plays against Michigan State in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins (89) runs in for a touchdown in front of Indiana defensive back Devon Matthews (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) is tackled by Maryland defensive back Deon Jones (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. Purdue defeated Maryland 40-14. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue's Brycen Hopkins catches a touchdown pass over Wisconsin's Reggie Pearson during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins runs after a catch and is tackled by Minnesota defensive back Thomas Barber (41) during the first quarter against Minnesota in a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
LSU offensive lineman Austin Deculus (76) battles Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis (24) during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. LSU won 46-41. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis (24) is shown against the LSU in an NCAA football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Tuscaloosa , Ala. LSU won 46-41. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis (24) goes on the attack on defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (3) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is tackled by South Carolina's R.J. Roderick, left, and Javon Kinlaw during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond (11) throws a pass as he is pressured by South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
South Carolina's Javon Kinlaw, center, jumps as he celebrates with his defensive teammates after stopping Missouri on a drive during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Connecticut quarterback Donovan Williams (15) passes under pressure as he gets a block from offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) on Tulane defensive end Ade Aruna (87) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage in front of Central Florida defensive lineman Landon Woodson (93) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) sets up to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Connecticut offensive lineman Matt Peart (65) runs on to the field during senior day festivities before the start of an NCAA college football game against East Carolina Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stephen Dunn)
Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney (80) runs after a catch against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas defender Bumper Pool tackles Vanderbilt receiver Jared Pinkney in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney plays against Middle Tennessee in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney (80) celebrates after scoring a touchdown ahead of Florida defensive lineman Cece Jefferson (96) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Houston Cougars offensive lineman Josh Jones (74) and wide receiver Ellis Jefferson (21) celebrate Jefferson's touchdown against SMU in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston tight end Tyler McCloskey (45) is congratulated by Josh Jones (74) after scoring a touchdown against Oklahoma in the second half of Houston's 33-23 victory in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/George Bridges)
Houston offensive lineman Josh Jones (74) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston's Josh Jones, left, smiles during practice Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, in Las Vegas. Houston is scheduled to play San Diego State Saturday in the Las Vegas Bowl. (AP Photo/John Locher)
FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin's Zack Baun gets set during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Michigan in Madison, Wis. Coach Paul Chryst challenged Baun to step up as a leader this season and elevate his play. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley, left, throws the ball as Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun, right, pressures during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Iowa City. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) is sacked by Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun, left, and defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk, right, during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (56) returns an interception for a touchdown against Michigan State wide receiver C.J. Hayes (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
