DT Sheldon Richardson (9.24.20)
DT Sheldon Richardson:
On the Browns defense after two games and having LB Mack Wilson and CBs Kevin Johnson and Greedy Williams return to practice this week:
“Getting guys back – Mack is back and KJ is back. Hopefully, we can get them on the up and up, honestly. Just keep increasing, keep progressing forward and keep pulling out Ws.”
On if the Browns defense can turn the corner and not allow as many points as the first two games:
“I hope so. We have a gameplan in place. We have to execute a lot better consistently. Just have to get off the field on third downs.”
On how the gameday environment is different and if there is more trash talking on the field with limited or no fans at games:
“As far as trash talking, if anything, it has picked up more. Not at home games for us, but the first away game felt like a little scrimmage or something like that with no fans in the stands at all. If you were trash talking, if anything, it got picked up more and more low-toned so your guys are not yelling and just talking to them and talking to you.”
On Washington QB Dwayne Haskins:
“A young guy. They are putting a system around him. He is 1-1 so you can’t really say he is bad or good. Still have to go out there and put our best foot forward.”
On if the Browns DL feels a need to take on more of the burden to take the pressure off other groups on the defense to help improve its production:
“We always feel like that, but we can’t control everything. Everything is not in our control. The only thing we can control is our assignments and executing faster for the backend.”
On how DT Jordan Elliott has played as a rookie, given Elliott is ‘lost in the shadow’ of the other Browns DL members:
“He is not lost. He stepped up to the learning curve real quick. He knows his stuff. The only thing is he just needs more experience, and he is getting that slowly but surely. He is going to be just fine. He is going to be just fine in this league.”
On how Elliott has handled more responsibility with DT Andrew Billings opting out of the season:
“He has handled it well. Sometimes I would be looking at the sideline early on in the season and I would get a little winded and be looking to the sideline for a blow and might not be able to get the break I need. He is always ready. He is always alert. Usually one of the first ones in the meeting rooms and last one to leave – usually, because he has to because he is a rookie. He is going to be alright. He is going to be fine. He has little bitty things to fix with him as far as pass rushing for him to be an elite defensive lineman, honestly.”
On what the Browns need to do to off the field on third and fourth down and if it as simple as winning individual matchups or:
“That is football. It is always about winning individual matchups. It is just can you do it consistently.”
On if the number of significant injuries around the league last weekend and if that changes his mindset at all as a player and his health:
“Grateful, but you do not play this game and consider yourself healthy.”
On if having limited or no fans makes it easier on for the DL to pick up on the opposing offense’s signals:
“Offensives have been real good for the past two games. They have been real good keeping the calls down in the huddle and not too many checks at the line. I think that has something to do with the scheme, too. Not too much. Just the regular stuff you usually pick up.”
On if he likes that the Browns DL is potentially being underestimated heading into Sunday, given the attention paid to Washington’s DL:
“They have talent over there. A bunch of first-rounders. Sturdy guys. If that is what the media wants to talk about, then let them talk about it. They still have to show up on Sunday, just like we do.”
On if last game proved that the Browns DL can make big plays on the field:
“That is how we approach it.”
On DT Larry Ogunjobi’s performance in the first two games:
“Real good. Honestly, he has been great. Holding it down in the run. As far as the pass rush, we have packages in as far as the scheme so he has been missing a few of those, but I believe he has more of an impact too in pass rush with the more opps he get and the more opportunities he gets. We will just see. As far as him playing football, he has been doing an excellent job.”
On how has Ogunjobi has improved from last year:
“Stronger. Faster for some reason. More shifty. The guy, he is going to be alright. He is going to be fine, too. Like I said, we have depth at the D line right now. It may not seem like it on paper, but we definitely have depth – (DE) Porter Gustin is coming in and (DE) Joe (Jackson) just got here two weeks ago so he is coming in here learning real quick. We have guys on this D line that can hold it down.”
On Gustin:
“Blue-collar guy. Works for everything. Meticulous. What can I say? Everything you want for a guy that can come in this league. This is next man up. I would definitely want it to be Porter Gustin.”
On Gustin in the weight room, given Gustin’s reputation at USC:
“I know for sure that he is a monster in the weight room, but it be the after stuff that gets me. We would have a long dog-day of practice, and you will just see him in there just flexible as can be. Like no question, I have never seen a defensive lineman that flexible, period. The dude’s calisthenics is crazy.”
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