G Joel Bitonio, WR Jarvis Landry and C JC Tretter (7.26.19)
Included below are select quotes from interviews with the following Browns players during today’s media availability:
- G Joel Bitonio
- WR Jarvis Landry
- C JC Tretter
G Joel Bitonio:
On how the Browns OL is coming together through two days of camp:
“Good. Two days without the pads on so a lot is going to come out in the next few days when we get full pads on. It is good. It is pretty comfortable with the offense and guys are moving well. Guys are adjusted to playing positions. (G Austin) Corbett took the one reps [at right guard] yesterday and (C) Kyle (Kalis) took the one reps today. I think they are going to be rotating for the first five to 10 days to really try and see who is going to take that spot.”
On the competition at RG with returning starters at the other four positions:
“They just want the best guy there, and they feel like there are a few guys who have the ability to start at that position so they are going to try and work it and put the best guy there and make them earn it. (T) Greg (Robinson) kind of took it over and proved that in eight games last year that he could be a left tackle when he is motivated, thinking and doing the right things. That is kind of where we are at in that situation.”
On NY Giants G Kevin Zeitler’s praise of him and if he views himself as a top G:
“You watch a lot of film and there’s a lot of good players. (Colts G) Quenton Nelson just came into the league and he is a heck of a player. There are some good guards. With (Cowboys G) Zach Martin, a lot of people say he is the cream of the crop at guard regardless. I think there are a lot of things guys do well. Me and Zeitler are different players. He is a little bit more of a power guy, and I have a little bit more finesse and athleticism, but everybody does things really well. I don’t compare myself in that manner of ‘Oh, who is the best and who is not?’ It is just who is about who is playing well this week, and if I see someone that does a good think against one of the guys we are playing, I will try and incorporate that into my game. There are a heck of a lot of good offensive lineman in this league and I just try and be in the conversation with that.”
On goals in addition to success as a team:
“We are just trying to improve every day. We are trying to have the best offense we can out there and at the same time compete with the defense. We are just trying to improve off one another. If someone gets the better of the other at practice, then that is good, we are going to learn from that, we are going to watch film and just try and improve so we are the best team.”
On if there is a noticeable difference in the defensive line with new additions:
“Yes, there are some good players. (DE) Myles (Garrett) is Myles, but then you bring in (DE) Olivier Vernon, you bring in (DT) Sheldon (Richardson) and (DT) Larry (Ogunjobi) keeps improving going into year three now. It has been fun. I know pads are going to make it even better, but it ahs been fun to battle those guys. They are also smart players. They are not going to do dumb things out there so it is good that they are working to make us better, and I think we are going to make them better, as well.”
WR Jarvis Landry:
On how much playing alongside WR Odell Beckham Jr. will elevate his game:
“To a whole other level. Obviously, with the respect and the level of competition we have between each other is going to allow us to grow more, especially on the field.”
On if he had a reduced workload during the first two days of training camp:
“No, I did everything today. Obviously, I am just working back into it and getting up to speed, getting up to pace and learning. When you are learning, sometimes you tend to play a little bit slower, but then as we go back in, watch film and have a walkthrough later tonight to get more knowledge about tomorrow, we will be able to play faster each and every day.”
On playing with pads starting with tomorrows practice:
“Obviously, it is football and it is an opportunity for us to really get some contact after he break that we had. It is going to be a good day, I am sure it will be.”
On not having an objection to ‘relinquishing the spotlight’ with Beckham joining the team:
“No, I want to win. I think this organization is doing everything their grasp to make sure that happens. I am just happy to be a part of it, whether people say I started it or not. It is not about that to me. It is about everybody inside this building is doing what is right by the organization to make sure we can win a championship.”
On how good the Browns offense can be 2019:
“Obviously, right now it is about learning. We have a lot of learning to do. We are going to be faced maybe with a lot of struggles this year. We are going to have to find ways to find it within each other to trust guys to be able to make plays for us. It is not going to be easy, but I definitely think we can have success as we are all on the same page.”
C JC Tretter:
On the OL looking forward to putting pads on tomorrow:
“Yeah, I think it actually makes out jobs easier. I think you get these D linemen in tight jerseys sweating, and you can’t grab them and you can’t do anything. I think the defensive line has not become aware that it only makes our job easier when we get the pads on. They think they are going to get an advantage tomorrow when the pads come on, but I think we equally think we have the advantage once the pads come on.”
On being comfortable without pads through the first two days of practices:
“Yeah, we have done a really good job. I think this is a seamless transition from the offseason program and the training camp. I think these have been two really crisp days of practice. Obviously, the young guys are still coming along, but for guys who have been here for a while are kind of understanding their assignments and diving back into it without much learning curve. I think it has been a really good first two days.”
On when the Browns will be able to solidify the starter at RG:
“I don’t know that. That is up to the coaches and the staff. Right now, it is who is going to separate themselves and play the best, and for the rest of the four guys, it is about getting used to the three guys who are going to be rotating in there and kind of get used to each person. I am sure that will get settled sometime midway or whenever that is and then you will dial into one person and get used to that one person. For right now, I think it is still really early. Everybody is going to get a shot, and we will see who steps up to the table.”
On C Kyle Kalis’ improvement since last year and if he showed potential last year:
“He is a real strong guy. He has a powerful punch and has all of the tools. He works hard, studies and learns. He does everything the right way. He just kind of grinds and does what you need to work your way up as an offensive line. He has made the most of his opportunities, and I think he is going to continue to do that.”
On competing against DTs Larry Ogunjobi and Sheldon Richardson and their potential as interior DL:
“I think they are going to be really good. They work well together and they communicate well together with the kind of games and moves they want to do. They are two really talented guys who can do a little bit of both power and speed. They have done really well. Obviously, we are going to see when the pads come on what else they have in store. You don’t do too much bull rushing without pads so we will start to get that feel as an offensive line what Sheldon and Larry can do.”
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