Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch (8.8.24)
Going through training camp so far, what has really stood out to you about your room and what they’ve been able to do in training camp?
“Absolutely. You know, really the biggest thing is the consistency and really just the versatility of the guys that we have in the room. You know, we have great leaders, and their consistency of work has really showed up.”
How has Denzel (Ward) kind of stepped into even more of a leadership role with that group, just especially even just this year so far?
“Yes. You know, like, when you think about Denzel, like, great player, better person and better teammate. We talk a lot about on defense, like, ‘Are you a trusted teammate?’ You know, but being a trusted teammate is also embodying everything that we do. And that’s our physical violence, that’s giving great effort on every play, and that’s showing a great deal of passion. So not just on the grass as you’re doing those things, but also in the classroom.”
Martin (Emerson Jr.) talked about how Denzel had them with him in Miami in the off season, and they spent all kinds of time together. Just what’s that say about Denzel and how valuable can that be for Martin?
“Sure. You know, I think that really speaks to the culture that Andrew (Berry) and Kevin (Stefanski) have really built, you know? And when you think about, like, Coach (Jim) Schwartz talking about holding our best players the most accountable. So, when we talk about being a trusted teammate, that’s part of that. Holding our best player the most accountable to bring our older guys up.”
We’ve seen Martin going against Amari (Cooper), like over and over again, but he gets to go against Amari every day. What does that do for him?
“You know, iron sharpens iron. Our guys are well coached, our guys are well trained, but also when us talking about putting the team first, it’s great just to hear our guy’s conversations, like, behind the scenes, because our guys use our technique and our fundamentals. But then being able to bounce ideas off each other, being great players, putting the team first, it’s really gonna help us during the season.”
How have you seen Greg Newsome kind of stay active during the offseason? Obviously, he’s dealing with the injury right now, but how is he may be making sure that he’s mentally sharp even though he can’t be on the field physically?
“Sure. Like, Greg embodies everything about our team mantra and he’s certainly a smart player. So, all the way up from Greenbrier to all the way up to where we are now, he has not missed a beat. Whether it be Zoom interviews, whether it be in person meetings here, like, he’s constantly helping the guys that, you know, are going to be out there at this point competing in camp. He’s done a really good job leading.”
Seems like sometimes on the side, when you guys kind of break out to certain drills. There’s Denzel and slot cornerbacks. Are you guys kind of working on like, some type of drills there?
“Absolutely. You know, obviously, we want to make sure that our technique and our fundamentals, they’re always sharp, you know? So being off on the side is really focusing on our communication first and then executing what we need to do. Yeah, great question.”
Early on in camp, when you had Greg out and Cam (Mitchell) was off also, how much did you see Myles (Harden) start to really kind of grab those opportunities, those extra reps and build off that?
“Absolutely. Opportunities multiply as they’re seized. And he’s certainly a young guy that seizes every opportunity to improve his technique and fundamentals and his communication. So, game reps, right. Are going to be the very most important for him. But he is taking advantage of every practice rep, every bit of opportunity after practice and in the meeting room.”
How can Saturday and the other preseason games be beneficial for those younger guys, those guys that are trying to get that roster spot to showcase their game in the actual game?
“Yes, ma’am. We try to really just keep it simple for the guys, you know, and really keeping it simple is us starting off S.T.A.R.T. On defense, we want to make sure that our physical violence is on display, that we’re giving great effort, we know exactly what to do, how to do it, and then obviously showing a great deal of swag and passion when making plays. So, you know, the speed of play, obviously, we can’t show a level of physical violence out here because it’s always Browns versus Browns. But once we get on the field and we’re competing versus others, we’ll be able to see exactly that on display.”
I know Martin and some of his teammates felt like he deserved the Pro Bowl nod last year. When you look at how he played, do you agree and just how well did he play last year?
“Yeah, you know, I think Martin is continuously improving. I think that’s going to be a big focal point for us just to keep improving for our team. And obviously, you know, I think all of our players are Pro Bowl players, you know, top down. But obviously, that’s going to be a great deal of work that we’ve been doing, too.”
Brandon, I spent some time with Justin Hardee. He mentioned you’ve been very patient with him. You still feel he’s a cornerback? Very little experience. Can he contribute on defense?
“Absolutely. Absolutely. And when you think about, like, guys that are going to be role players, guys that have consistency and versatility with who we are, right? Like, the most important thing is going to be our physical violence. He’s definitely a physical, violent player, and he gives great effort. He gives standard effort, especially when the young guys are being able to see a veteran like that and then passion, right? He’s a guy that has swag. He’s a guy that really embodies what we are as Cleveland Browns.”
Do you see him still far away from a polished cornerback?
“Yeah, you know, I think that none of our guys are ever a finished product, and I think that really, like, helps us all keep the focus on the work. So with him, like, when it is time for him to be utilized, he’ll be ready. ”
With Cam, what did you see out of him as a rookie and do you feel like he’s poised to take that next step in year two?
“You know what I think a great deal of maturity. You know, he’s a young guy that’s a trusted teammate. He’s a guy that’s definitely not afraid of work, and every single day, he is a smart player. So, he takes the stuff from the classroom, on the grass, applies it, he takes very clear correction and that really helps our team.”
Brandon, you mentioned it’s Brown on Brown out there. Well, next week, you get to go Browns on Vikings with everybody. So, what does that mean for your room to go through those joint practices?
“Yeah, competition, right? Like, anytime that we can get out there and we can compete, we can communicate, get our guys in the right positions and execute at real speed, that’s gonna help us during the regular season.”
You have a handful of Ohio guys with Justin Hardee and my man Denzel Ward. Speak to the camaraderie within that group. And I’m wondering, from your perspective, does Ohio have a chip on the shoulder compared to other states? Who has the best ball in the country?
“I tell you what, man. Like, and that’s something like being a Georgia guy, your kind of, like, grow up in this, like, this box, right, where you think that just Georgia or Florida has players. But I’m gonna tell you a unique perspective, like being able to play in Indy and have a chance to see what Ohio ball looks like, there’s great national players up here. So, to be able to have, like, two, like you said, Cleveland guys in the room. Cleveland guys have edge, and both of those guys have a great deal of edge, but a great deal of accountability to being resilient to the team. And I think that’s really, like, on display every time they’re out here.”
What is it about your room that allows guys to just be ready to step up? I mean, we saw it last year and we’re seeing it again this year, right? What is it about your room that allows a guy like a Cam Mitchell or if it’s a Myles Harden this year to step in and do their job?
“Sure. You know, the standard is the standard, and it doesn’t change. And we hold our best players the most accountable. So, when all of our players feel like they’re that, they’re going to put the right foot forward to make sure that we can execute that and culture, right? You know, Kevin has done a great job when he talks about putting the team first, that’s always been the focal point. So, the people in the seats that Andrew have brought in the building has really helped that.”
For Myles off the field, I guess, a little bit. How have you seen him just adjust to NFL life and coming from a smaller school, just kind of figuring all of this out and, like, what has he just picked your brain about and that kind of stuff?
“Yes, ma’am. You know, something that’s consistent is high achievers always roll with high achievers and he’s definitely a high achiever that’s not afraid of work. So, like, being in the building and being around other guys just like him, he’s fit in an excellent manner.”
Thinking about a glue guy in your locker room, if you can make a clone out of one guy to build up the rest of the 53-man roster, who would that be?
“Wow. In our room?”
Yep.
“Man, you know, that’s a very unique question. I would say that, you know, a young M.J. (Emerson) embodies everybody in our room. You know, obviously, his mentor in Denzel, he’s also been mentored by Greg Newsome. So, when we talk about, like, the swag and passion, when we talk about the desire to succeed, but also having a tough edge, right? Like, we want guys that are tough, that give great effort to have a great deal of passion. When I think of that, I think of Martin Emerson.”
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