WR Odell Beckham Jr. and RB Kareem Hunt
Included below are select quotes from interviews with the following Browns players during today’s media availability:
- WR Odell Beckham Jr.
- RB Kareem Hunt
WR Odell Beckham Jr.:
On if he can sense RB Kareem Hunt’s excitement to return on Sunday:
“I just know he is ready. Watching him all week, it just looks good to be able to see him back on the field. I tell you all of the time how much we sacrifice and put into this game, and I think you have a greater appreciation for it once it gets taken away from you. With him being out, I just know he is going to come back… First play when he gets the ball, I do not know if there are going to be many juke moves. Somebody better watch out for the stiff arm or the shoulder or something. He is excited. We are all excited to have him back.”
On General Manager John Dorsey being open to giving players second chances:
“I cannot say everybody in the world deserves a second chance, but a lot of us deserve a second chance. With the circumstances, I am just happy he is here. He is a good dude. I am just looking forward to playing with him and seeing what he is capable of doing. We have all seen it. I think we are all pretty excited about that.”
On offensive coordinator Todd Monken stressing there is only one ball to go around and how Hunt’s return plays into that component:
“It just helps. You have a number of playmakers around just finding ways to get them the ball, and I think Kareem is a guy that is going to help. Pass game, run game, he is a good one-two for him and Chubb. Like I said, I think we are all just excited to have him back.”
On his ability to not respond in frustration after not receiving as many touches or red zone targets:
“I think, like I have told you all before, I have grown, I have come to a different place mentally, emotionally, spiritually, however you want to put it and I know that I think everyone can see that. I think that the world, people, whoever you want to call them, that energy still tries to find its way to get me upset, whether it is something about a cleat, a visor or all of these stupid little things that the only people that are worried about them are the people that are doing and saying something about them. Like I said, when I line up, I do not sit there and think if I had some highlighter yellow cleats on like I am really going to be worried about it when I am trying to read a defense or what assignment and where to line up. I think I am just going to keep getting tested on it. I think people just want to see me break, I think they want to see that side that was in there with what I was dealing in another situation, but I really doubt you are going to see it. You can keep trying all you want. Temm me to take the cleats off, visor, tell me I cannot wear gloves – I do not know what will be next, but it will always be something. As long as I know in my heart that I am good with where I am at, nothing is ever going to bother me. I am going to come here, I am going to do my job and I am going to try to give 110 every time that I can go, and that is just it.”
RB Kareem Hunt:
On his emotions returning to play this Sunday:
“I am very eager. I am excited. I can’t wait to get back out there on the field and help this team.”
On it being nearly a year since his last NFL game:
“Like 342 days? 342 days, I have been counting down, and I am just excited. A lot of mixed emotions, high and low. It is going to be a very fun, emotional game. I am definitely going to be excited to get out there and do whatever I can to play the role and help this team win.”
On if he was always confident he would return to the NFL during the past 342 days since his last game:
“The first couple weeks, I was not sure, but after a while, I just prayed to God and put it in his hands and did everything I could. Stayed positive, made sure I stayed in the weight room and in the gym and just kept my goals ahead and looked forward.”
On the significance of returning to play in his hometown:
“I have a lot of family and support out here. There are a lot of great people in this building who do their best to help out. Anything I need, I can talk to them and trust those guys.”
# # #