Browns Players (8.27.22)
S D’Anthony Bell:
On if and how he has been able to earn coaches’ trust:
“I think I have prepared myself well. The coaches have sent me film, extra stuff and have met with me outside of the normal practices. I try to put myself in the best position I can put myself in.”
On his ultimate goal when joining the Browns:
“The ultimate goal was just to help the team and to make the team – to do whatever I can to get onto special teams and help the team. Be behind those guys, learn and just do what I can to help.”
On if he thinks he made the team after tonight’s performance:
“I never think I made the team. I come in here every day like I have to make the team and make the play. I sit next to JJ (S John Johnson III) and always ask him questions. I ask him like, ‘What did you see on this? What did you see on this play?’ I feel like he has great awareness, and I am trying to work on that part of my game as well.”
On if he is absorbing knowledge from teammates:
“Most definitely. I ask those guys questions all of the time. I ask what they see on certain formations. They give me the knowledge that they have and help me with my game, as well.”
On the biggest lesson during his time with the Browns:
“The pace of the game and not to move as fast. It looks like it is happening fast, but I have learned to just slow it down and process the things you see and trust your eyes.”
On if he will be nervous during the next couple of days when learning whether or not he made the team:
“Most definitely. I have to put my phone on ring. I am really nervous. Hopefully, God will help me make this team. It is nervous in a good way, though. I think I put my best foot forward, but there is more to come. I have to improve my game more and learn a lot more. I have to be the best I can.”
S John Johnson III:
On the questions S D’Anthony Bell asks him:
“He asks me questions about the formation or if I was in the right position on a play. I want him to think how I think or think how a great player would think. I have been around great players who have taught me things so I just want to pass along whatever I can. It is not as much as teaching because he has a tremendous ability. He is going to be a good player, but it is more about changing the mindset a little bit.”
On if he sees a difference in development from Bell on tape:
“He is always in the right place. It is a little different because he has been playing stronger. Back in my day, I played a little strong, but that is just the nature of the game.”
On how far ahead he is now compared to last year entering the second year in the defense:
“It is night and day. I was not comfortable last year. It was a battle. Now, it feels natural. I don’t even have to think anymore – my body just does it. It is night and day.”
On if the team will be ready for the season opener in two weeks:
“I think so. I want to say we are ready right now, but we will be ready. We have a lot of time up until that point – a lot more practice days and a lot more growing to do. I wish we knew who is going to be here, but I definitely think we will be ready.”
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah:
On always staying competitive:
“We still have the point system up. It doubles when the game happens. You know everybody is trying to run and fly around. It is not just because of the point system. It has just really been ingrained in us. We are always trying to compete and get better, and that is what we do.”
On S D’Anthony Bell forcing another fumble:
“Bell has been doing a phenomenal job. He is on my team. He has always been that guy right now and during training camp always trying to get that ball out. We appreciate him for that.”
On watching what is practiced play out in a game:
“I think anytime that you spend time putting forth in practice and focusing on a goal, then seeing it come to fruition is always a glorious feeling. It is always a glorious feeling and a phenomenal energy when that does happen because you spend so much time focusing on it. It is a great feeling.”
On if he was able to get done what he wanted to during training camp and the preseason:
“The more the merrier in reference to getting better. I feel like my preseason went well. We got at least a lot of mental reps and other things that I could have corrected in my mind.”
On what he will do now to prepare for Week 1:
“First and foremost, take care of your body. The best ability is availability. For right now, just focusing on where everybody needs to be in reference to being one hundred percent.”
On what being a high-energy player does for him:
“I try to incorporate more energy in everything that I do because how you do one thing is how you do everything. When we are out there, we want to be really excited. It is something I try to focus on.”
K Cade York:
On making a 60-yard FG in warmups:
“I hit the ball well. It does not really matter in pregame. I was just warming up.”
On his overall FG range:
“Whatever they put me out there for. I missed a 58-yard field goal today. I did not hit the best ball then, but I think they are just testing me a bit in the preseason. When the game is on the line and we need something, we can push it back a little bit. We will see what happens moving forward.”
On if his performances during the preseason have been what he hoped:
“It really has not felt anything different from college. Just going out there and kicking the ball. I would have liked to have seen the one go through today. Other than that, I have gotten reps. Getting out there and getting comfortable. It has been good.”
On the strategy of some kickoffs going short of the goal line:
“Just hanging the ball up. Still need to work on it some more. I need to be able to manage it through the game and hit different balls. It is definitely my main focus to work on right now. I just need to do it a little bit better.”
On his comfort kicking FGs:
“I hit them well. There have been a couple that I would like back. I still hit the ball well. The longer field goal I had to hit a lot better.”
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