HC Freddie Kitchens (11.8.19)
Head Coach Freddie Kitchens:
Opening statement:
“A good week of preparation. A lot of mental work from now until Sunday.”
On playing without DE Olivier Vernon on Sunday:
“He is a leader on defense, but we have some guys behind him that we are expecting to go in and play well. They will get a chance to show what they can do.”
On DE Chad Thomas’ performance this year and expectations for him with Vernon out:
“We are going to find out. Our expectations are high for Chad, they are high for himself and we expect him to go in and play well.”
On Thomas’ improvements this year:
“I think his motor, his passion, his anticipation, his understanding of gap control and where has to be and where he fits in. It is just a matter of doing it every down now.”
On approaching this game knowing there is a quick turnaround for Thursday Night Football against the Steelers:
“We really have not changed up anything. We will worry about that after this game. We have a game Sunday first.”
On the sense of comfort being able to extend C JC Tretter’s contract:
“It is always comfortable with a quarterback and center when they work together for an extended period of time. There is a comfort level there that the center knows what he is doing, the quarterback knows what he is doing and they can continue to get on the same page. I saw it a lot in Arizona from the standpoint of we had the same center, the quarterbacks changed a little bit but the center always knew what to do and it is always a benefit of when they are on the same page and kind of know what each other is thinking before they ever say it.”
On Tretter’s intelligence is clearly apparent when watching him play:
“JC is a very smart football player, yes.”
On Tretter playing most of the 2018 season with a high ankle sprain and not missing an offensive snap:
“It showed his toughness, and like I said before, football players, when you start training camp, from that day forward, they are never completely healthy and you have to learn in this league how to play hurt. There is a difference between being hurt and being injured, but you have to learn how to play hurt. You also have to learn how to play hurt and play well. It is not a badge of courage to go out and just play hurt. You need to play well while being hurt, and JC did that last year.”
On if Tretter’s extension is an example to Browns players that they will be rewarded for their efforts:
“I think what it shows you more than anything is we reward guys that play well here, are committed to what they are supposed to do and buy in totally to the team type concept. JC is all about the team. He is all about the fact that he wants to do what he can do to help us win. I think it shows that hopefully.”
On if the Browns will have a pitch count for RB Kareem Hunt on Sunday:
“No. We will see how the game goes.”
On if Hunt will be full go and there will be no restrictions on his work load:
“No, there are no restrictions. We just need to continue to build Kareem’s endurance and some of that stuff kind of factors in.”
On if S Damarious Randall was able to do a lot at practice and run today:
“Yeah, he did some today.
On being an Alabama graduate but a former member of the LSU football coaching staff and where his allegiance lies for this weekend’s matchup:
“Let’s just say that (LB) Mack (Wilson) wanted me to take some of the load off of him (laughter). I am not really viewed as an LSU guy around here, I do not think. No, I am not going to make a prediction in that area, but we do have them at home.”
On if T Drew Forbes will be activated this weekend:
“I am not sure about that yet. It is not for Sunday. I am worried about Sunday. You are talking about activating him tomorrow relative to next week? I know we could. I will let (General Manager) John (Dorsey) deal with that. He is not playing Sunday, if that is what you want to know.”
On the Browns having the opportunity to activate Forbes next week:
“Yeah, we have until (November) 14.”
On Bills QB Josh Allen struggling with fumbles and if the Browns defense will focus on that:
“We want to eliminate our turnovers, play penalty free and we want to create turnovers.”
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