DE Alex Wright (4.29.22)
On initial thoughts of playing across from DE Myles Garrett:
“It is like a dream come true because Myles Garrett is one of those rare breeds that I used to and still look up to to this day, not only as a person but on the field and how he works off the field – the stuff that he does behind the cameras.
“Being able to just watch him and now have the chance to play across from him is like a dream come true. It feels surreal. I have goosebumps right now.”
On if he has ever interacted with Garrett or other members of the Browns DL:
“No sir. I never have. Just being my first time meeting him will probably be like, ‘Wow, this is Myles Garrett.’ I can’t wait. I can’t wait.”
On the status of his pec after straining it at the NFL Combine:
“I did. I am cleared now. Thanks to my doctors. I am cleared. I am getting ready to work. I am back 100 percent, and I am ready to work”
On going from 210 to 270 pounds during his college career, as well as stepping away from football for a period of time prior to college:
“It is about just taking it one step at a time, just baby steps. I did as much as I could, and I did what I was comfortable with along with the coaches, the trainers and strength coaches and just felt what I was comfortable with. I did not want to be too big or too small. Just taking baby steps and being sure of what I could maintain. That was the route we decided to take.”
On if he will be able to sleep tonight if Garrett texts him later:
“Probably night. I am not even going to lie, I would be so hyped. I will be in disbelief, I will probably be shocked. I am not going to lie.”
On if he still has room to grow into his body frame, given the Browns said there is some development opportunity there:
“I still feel that way. They are not wrong. I still feel like I have a lot of growing to do, whether it is the physical traits and not just physical but IQ wise. I could learn while I grow, physically and IQ wise.”
On his communication with the Browns during the draft process:
“It was really genuine. You could tell that it was from the heart and that they meant what they said. Just going through and talking with D line coaches, DCs and just talking to every coach, it felt genuine and it felt like that was my home. They never made me feel anything negative. It was always positive, and they spoke positive. That is one thing that I like about Cleveland. It is an honor for me to even have the chance to go to Cleveland.”
On what stands out about the Browns defense, in addition to Garrett:
“Just being able to be myself and add on to the positivity. We all have one goal in mind, and that is just to win. I just want to make myself better, but I also want to make the guys around me better, no matter whether it is DBs, linebackers, corners or even the special teams. Just cheering them on and keeping it positive. The whole mindset is positivity, just win and hard work.”
On potentially having the opportunity to play inside DL:
“I feel very comfortable because that was one of those things in college that I wanted to do and I wanted to try it out. Coming as a result in practice, it was like baby steps. I was like, ‘I can do this in a game,’ and then when it showed in the game, that was just one of those things like, ‘I can do this. I can be more versatile. I do not have to rush on the outside.’ I look forward to rushing on the inside.”
On what drew him back to football after taking some time off early in his career:
“Just the vibe of being in Friday night lights. Me being from the south, football has taken a lot serious, and there is no other thing like it. Me being me, I wanted to be a part of that because I was in a band and I like music. I wanted to take a break from music but still keep it on the side, but I wanted to focus on football because I felt like football was a sport where I could get myself back into and I could see myself having fun at it. When I saw myself adjusting back to the game and then having fun with it, it was just the environment, whether it was the band, whether it was the smell of the grass or whether it was the lights on Fridays. It was just the environment. I fell in love with the environment, and I wanted to get back out there.”
On what kind of WR he was in high school:
“I was good at blocking at wide receiver. Then I had go routes. I was good on slant routes. The crazy part about it, I never scored a touchdown – I think I never scored a touchdown at home. I never scored a touchdown. Yeah, I did. I scored one touchdown at home, but most of them was like tight end than wide receiver.”
On the expected transition process into the Browns defense:
“This adjustment, that is also part of learning. That is also part of growing as a player. Me wanting to get better, that is my characteristic. You can always get better at things. That is my deal when it comes to football, film, nutrition and anything. Me wanting to get better as a person, I am welcome to and I can’t wait to switch adjustments and switch to a different defense. I can’t wait for it.”
On his hopes to learn from Garrett about all aspects of football:
“He might have to get tired of me because I am asking questions. I am asking everything, whether it comes from little things or small things. How do you get from the stance to your eyes? Feet to eyes? I am asking everything. Arms, hand placement, I am asking everything – bending, knees, everything I am asking. He is probably going to get tired of me asking.”
On what instrument he played in band and if he still plays it:
“No, I did not. I played in band with woodwinds. I played saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone and baritone saxophone, and I even played clarinet so I play mostly those, and I was pretty good.”
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