HC Freddie Kitchens (11.29.19)
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens:
Opening statement:
“I thought we had a good week of preparation. It is mental from this point on, and our guys will get ready to play. Excited about playing.”
On how DE Olivier Vernon has looked in practice this week and if Vernon may be able to return this week:
“We are just kind of playing it by ear right now and just seeing what we get. We have a couple more of days. We will see how he is and make a determination then.”
On if T Greg Robinson remains in concussion protocol:
“Yeah, he is as of right now.”
On if the Browns are not yet ready to rule out Robinson for Sunday:
“Yeah, not ready to rule him out yet.”
On if G Justin McCray will start at LT if Robinson can’t play:
“We have not made that decision yet either.”
On if Robinson has advanced in the concussion protocol and been cleared for physical activity but not to practice:
“I know he was doing some stuff when we [went out to] the field. I do not know [yet].”
On P Jamie Gillan’s ability to pin teams inside the 20:
“I do not know his total numbers of punts inside the 20 and even inside the 10 for stretches there and had a couple of other opportunities to get them down there and for different reasons we did not. He has been very good in that plus-territory kick, and he has been very good even backed up changing field position and stuff like that – things that are not noticed in the stats that have benefited the team tremendously. We are happy with Jamie, and he needs to keep going.”
On TE David Njoku’s status:
“Kind of just wait and see. We are still working through some things there.”
On if Njoku will play Sunday:
“I am not willing to say that yay or nay right now.”
On how DT Larry Ogunjobi has been since returning to practice this week, particularly from a mental standpoint:
“I think it is good to have Larry back. He is excited to be back. I think mentally Larry is in a good place. I think he is excited to go play the game – just a game. A lot of times that cures a lot is just playing a game.”
On the impact of Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey’s absence last week and this week:
“Pouncey is a very good player, but they have a good player that comes in after Pouncey. We like to say it is more about us than anybody else. We will play whoever they have out there.”
On how the Browns have handled an adjusted schedule this week:
“I think that they have done good. I think every time we have changed the schedule up it is a new learning experience. The changes yesterday were pretty minimal from the standpoint of our preparation and stuff that we got done yesterday is most of the things that we usually get done on Thursday. I think they handled it well.”
On TE Pharaoh Brown not practicing today:
“He is fine. It was a personal thing that he was not there – not a bad personal thing, either. Just make note of that.”
On WR Jarvis Landry’s energy and work ethic and factors leading to his high production in recent weeks:
“Jarvis comes to compete every day. He has done a good job with his preparation, understanding what he needs to do and when he needs to do it. It showed. It was evident. At the end of the day, it is about competing for the ball, and he does that just as good as anybody.”
On if he is having a good birthday:
“Yeah, so far so good. Thanks guys.”
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