Notes: Kevin Stefanski emphasizes 'trust' of K Andre Szmyt but doesn't say if he'll keep job

Kevin Stefanski didn't want to talk Monday about making a switch at kicker after Andre Szmyt missed an extra point and a field goal Sunday in a 17-16 opening loss to the Bengals.But Stefanski reiterated the trust he has for Szmyt, who made his NFL debut."I'm still focused on yesterday," the coach said. "Obviously Andre knows we trust him, knows that he's got to come through for us in those moments. I thought he had a really good warmup. Banged a couple early in the game and missed those two at the end and those are kicks that we expect him to make."But I'm really just focused on that game and we expect him to come through for us."Commentary: More of the lame, as Browns start year by losing game they should've wonSzmyt made an extra point and a 45-yard field goal in the first half before the pair of misses wide right in the second half. He missed the extra point in the third quarter to keep Cleveland's lead at 16-14, then missed a 36-yard field goal with 2:22 left that would've put the Browns in front 19-17.Kicker is a unique position in that he doesn't have a backup on the roster. Some teams stick with struggling ones longer than others do."Listen, we trust our guys," Stefanski said. "We get to watch our guys work. We get to watch them all offseason, all training camp, preseason, practices, games, all those things. We trust our guys to come through for us."And I know a lot of credit and blame gets doled out after wins and losses, but this is a team game, and we'll own this one together as a loss."Bengals 17, Browns 16: Cleveland wastes golden opportunity to win opener with missed kicks, dropped passesSzmyt won the job in the preseason, beating out veteran Dustin Hopkins, whose struggles from last season carried over.READY OR NOT?Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins is back with the Browns after signing Saturday. He'll practice Wednesday with the team for the first time since minicamp in June.Stefanski wants to see how Judkins, the No. 36 pick out of Ohio State, looks and reacts before deciding if he'll play Sunday against the Ravens."We'll see," Stefanski said. "Got to get through this week of practice, but don't know."Rookies make strong first impression, led by Dylan Sampson and Harold Fannin Jr.Center Ethan Pocic is excited for Judkins to join the offense."He looked amazing in the spring," he said. "We're looking forward to it whenever he comes back."LINE UPDATEStefanski had encouraging news about right tackle Jack Conklin, who left the game in the second quarter after getting poked in the eye."He's doing much, much better than yesterday," said Stefanski, who added that was the team's only injury from the game.Veteran Cornelius Lucas replaced Conklin."Being in the No. 2 role in the NFL, it's hard sometimes because you don't get all the reps during the week," Pocic said. "He did amazing. I just thought he stepped up to the plate."** On the other side, Dawand Jones played every snap at left tackle. He's still learning the position after spending almost his entire career at right tackle."There were good moments and some bad moments," Stefanski said. "He needs to just be consistent for us and play like I know he's capable of playing. There's good moments out there versus a very good rusher, but I do feel like he can play better."Jones went against Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season. Hendrickson had a sack and three quarterback hits, and Jones was called for holding twice, ineligible lineman downfield and a false start.GROUND (GAME) UNDER REPAIRThe Browns rushed for only 49 yards on 24 attempts. They averaged 2 yards a carry with a long of 5.Stefanski said the issues were "multifaceted.""We can do a better job as coaches in giving the guys a plan," he said. "There are one-on-one matchups that we have to win, and that's the run game. If you're not winning in one spot, that person can fall off and make a play. If you do win your one-on-one matchup, those are where big yards can be had. So we will get back to work there."The post Notes: Kevin Stefanski emphasizes 'trust' of K Andre Szmyt but doesn't say if he'll keep job first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.