WR Amari Cooper (9.27.23)
I know the Ravens have had some injuries to that defense. So what are you seeing out of them? What do you think of some of these guys forced to play.
“Yeah, they’re dealing with a lot of injuries. It’s something that happens in the league from time to time. In this game, guys get hurt, but typical Ravens defense, I mean, nothing has changed. They like to play a lot of zone versus pace. Just got to go out there and play our game, go out there and execute our assignments and go 1-0 this week.”
How do you avoid not taking it for granted that they are without their starting safety, without their starting cornerback?
“I think at this point, we’re all too mature to fall for something like that. It’s an NFL game. It didn’t even cross my mind until you said something like that. It’s not something that we think about.”
You guys showed last week [that] you bounced back. So how do you keep that momentum?
“I mean, same mentality. It doesn’t change. We’ve already flushed that victory. My mindset is just going 1-0 this week.”
How important was it for the offense and Deshaun (Watson) to get some of those easy completions early, kind of short throws, then to open things up for the rest of the passing game?
“Yeah, I mean, that’s generally how you get into the flow of the game as it pertains to the passing game. You want to try to complete the easy passes first, both for the quarterback and the receiver, just to get that rhythm going. Once I get the ball in my hands on an easy catch, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to light it up, and I assume it’s the same from the quarterback position as well.”
What would it be like for you guys to be able to go into the bye week at 3-1?
“It would be utterly important because that’s our goal, is to win. 3-1 sounds and looks a lot better than 2-2. So very important.”
Does number 24 stand out when you’re watching film of the Ravens, Jadeveon (Clowney)?
“Yeah, he always stands out, actually. He’s a great player. I know last year was my first year playing with him. He didn’t play every game, but every time he played, I noticed him out there 100%.”
He kind of left here on bad terms. Does that linger at all?
“In what way? In our locker room?”
Yeah, for you guys.
“He’s no longer a part of the team, so I don’t really see how it can have a lingering effect. And him leaving on bad terms, that’s subjective. That’s what you said not me, so I don’t see it, no.”
That was probably the best game you’ve had with Deshaun (Watson). How far has your connection kind of come since he first got here?
“It’s interesting how much communication can help with the wide receiver – quarterback relationship. We just communicate. We’re not shying away from even over-communicating because we’re just trying to get better and make plays for the team. And for that to happen, we definitely need to have chemistry. So, it’s getting better and better every week.”
What kind of communication goes on? Is it more than I’m open?
“No, it’s more so just talking through every route that’s in a game plan, making sure we both see it the same way. And if we see it differently then we communicate about that’s mainly what it is.
You’re talking about during the week?
“During the week and on the sideline.”
There’s been a lot of talk about the empty backfield sets. Kevin Stefanski was talking about how he feels like that actually helps the passing game. So it’s one of the key components of the pass game. What is your view on those empty sets and do they help when you guys are trying to throw the football?
“Yeah, for sure. They help in a variety of ways. I think from the quarterback position, when everything is spread out like that, he’s able to see the defense better. Also, when we do some movements out of empty, he’s able to understand what coverage you’re running and things like that. So, it definitely helps.”
Amari, Deshaun (Watson) last week praised your communication with him in last week’s game. How have you grown your communication style just over the last few years?
“It’s just different. I played with a few different quarterbacks, so it’s different with different guys. It all depends on what we both need from each other, really. With Deshaun, obviously, it’s a different case because we’ve kind of been on and off with our chemistry, not in terms of what’s going on the field, but in terms of the time he’s got here, him not playing games and then him coming back, me being hurt. So, we never really got that opportunity to just go full speed together that much. So that’s why the communication has to be heightened between the two of us.”
When you do that during the game, Amari, what is that like? Do you have to do it quickly when you’re on the sideline and you have those conversations?
“Again, that’s also something that’s circumstantial. I played again with a lot of different quarterbacks, a lot of different coaches. The thing about Coach (Kevin) Stefanski, if I tell him that I see something, he’s going to enact that immediately, and that’s a good thing. I try not to come to him with something that’s ‘BS’, for lack of a better word. If I see something and I know it’s going to work, I’m going to tell him. Every time I’ve done that, he’s called it.”
Are these games with the Ravens and their defenders any more physical than any other game that you played, and I don’t think Marlon (Humphrey) playing in this game, but it just seems like it gets really physical between the two teams.
“It’s a division game, all division games generally are more physical for some reason. With the Ravens in particular, I know they always put a lot of money in their defensive linemen, and they have some really physical and fast, agile, and dominant linebackers. So, from that standpoint, it is physical. In terms of the defensive back. I’m not sure if Marlon is playing or not, but he’s really physical, and he’s a really good player as well.”
# # #
***Visit the Browns Media Center for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***