What are the probabilities?
What are the odds that two high school classmates in Philadelphia would end up advancing rapidly and, in the same year, become young NFL coaches?
It happened to Joe Judge and Kevin Stefanski, both 38, and on Sunday, their teams face off when the Giants go up against the Browns at MetLife Stadium.
They were together as freshmen in St. Louis. Joseph’s Prep, both quarterbacks. The Judge family’s financial situation changed after Judge’s father was injured and Joe moved to Lansdale Catholic High School on the outskirts of Philly.
“It’s really great,” Stefanski said Wednesday. “I followed Joe and his career. Seeing what he was able to do in college and in New England (he won three Super Bowls up there) is exceptional. He is a good man. I know his family, a strong, solid family. I know his father died a few years ago. Only solid people, so it’s not surprising where Joe is today.
Stefanski is the son of Ed Stefanski, the former general manager of the 76ers, who was also a member of the Nets head office in the early 2000s. He almost reached the Giants in 2018, as recently hired coach Pat Shurmur he wanted to take Stefanski away from the Vikings and make him the Giants offensive coordinator. The Vikings blocked the movement.
Stefanski and St. Joseph was a teammate on the college team with Jimmy Judge, Joe’s older brother.
“As you know, Joe is an old man,” Stefanski said. “Her father was an old man. His brother was a great end to us. Just a very physical and strong player. I know he had a great career there at Lansdale Catholic. It’s not surprising that he was a tough player, and I think you see how he trains and who Joe is. “
Giants coach Freddie Kitchens spent a season as the Browns head coach. It went from 6 to 10 in 2019, with Odell Beckham Jr. playing all 16 games. When the two teams came together to do a mega trade, the Giants insisted on the safety of Jabrill Peppers, a draft pick from the first round of the 2017 Browns. Kitchens was the offensive coordinator in 2018 when Peppers was in Cleveland.
Asked about his view of trade, Kitchens said: “My opinions are just my opinions. But I’m glad we have Pep here. “
LB Blake Martinez lost training time last week with a back problem and was able to play 74 of the 79 defensive responses in the loss to the Cardinals. This heavy workload did not weaken Martinez, as he was fully involved in Wednesday’s full-pad practice.
“I think, like everyone else, he has small bumps and bruises,” the judge said. “When I get out of the game, I think everything is positive.”
G Kevin Zeitler (shoulder) was limited to practice. Debutant CB Darnay Holmes (knee) did not practice; he worked side by side with coaches. Holmes missed last week’s game.
DB Adrian Colbert was appointed to practice again outside the injured reserve. If he can return to the games, Colbert will play a role on special teams. He could take the open list spot on Monday when DB Brandon Williams resigns.