Select Browns Players (8.10.24)
DT Mike Hall Jr.
What was it like the first time out there in front of the hometown crowd:
“The first time out there, it was a helluva feeling. Blessed to be out there, all thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just happy to be able to play in front of thousands of fans and happy to rep my city.”
Did it feel like you got some of those jitters out?
“Oh yeah, no doubt. I was getting my mind right pregame. Going out in the tunnel and just taking it all in.”
How did you feel physically – game shape is one thing once you get in there?
“I felt great, just running to the ball and working my pass-rush. Felt energized and I was good.”
RT Dawand Jones
How did it feel to get back out there?
“It felt good, to come off the injury, nothing much more I can ask for than to be back out on the field with my brothers. Just felt good to get my feet back under me”
There has to be a difference between playing football and working back and getting all the rehab done
“For sure, that’s the main thing, balancing both football and rehab. It’s a challenge, and I kind of started liking it. You just gotta embrace it everyday”
RB John Kelly Jr.
What are your thoughts on how the offense played?
“We went out there and did a lot of things we’ve been practicing. We didn’t really want to do too much, but we wanted to focus on our fundamentals, playing our game and executing. It was a good opportunity for us to put that on display.”
How do you think DTR (QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson) ran the offense? It looked like he provided a little bit of a spark
“True, true. We’ve got a really good group of quarterbacks just all around. It was no real surprise that DTR was able to go out there and make the plays. We already knew he was a playmaker, so he had another opportunity to go out there and put it on display.”
How disappointed are you that the touchdown was called back?
“Oh man, I guess I have to get a smaller shoe. I should have for sure had that one.”
What did you see from RB Aiden Robbins?
“I’m proud of him. I’m happy that he was able to get us on the board. For him to be one of the running backs to get a touchdown, I’m happy for him. We were all happy.”
DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
What are things that you told some of the guys, this is their first time on an NFL field
“Enjoy it. You practiced, you know what you’re doing. Just go out there, play free, and have fun.”
What’s the mindset going in, you got joint practices and another preseason game, what do you hope to take from this one as you guys go into another one?
“Just make corrections from this game, implement them during practice, and then treat this joint practices like a real game to get us ready to go.”
Did any of these young guys impress you?
“100%. Today, I’ll have to say Brady Breeze. That boy, he’s good. I’m Beezy he’s Breezy. He was doing his thing out there, he was tackling, he was physical. I can say that he popped out to me.”
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
How does it feel to get out there and be able to show a spark for the first time since December 24th of last year?
“That’s what I’m fighting for, continual reps and getting out there and getting acclimated again. Haven’t played football since last Christmas Eve, so just to be able to get back out there with the guys was fun.”
In your second season, do you feel more prepared now than you did last year?
“Yeah, I feel more comfortable with everything going on, how the preseason works, how training camp practices are going, how the Greenbrier was going to be. It’s a good foundation and good idea coming off of last year, that I didn’t have the year before.”