QB Jameis Winston (11.19.24)
We’ve seen the (Pittsburgh) Steelers a lot around here and in a matter of the year they seem to be able to draw their opponent into their type of dirty game, grinding game. Do you get that watching them and how do they do that?
“Well, I believe the Steelers just since I’ve been growing up, have had great leadership from the head coach position and Coach Mike Tomlin is one of the best. So, his team definitely reflects on the type of person that he is. So, I know that’s why their team is very disciplined and that’s why they play with their whole heart.”
Some coaches won’t kick six field goals in a game, and they’ve done it twice this year. Do you think they’re rare in that case?
“Well, I think it’s whatever is required to win and whatever that means. Is it six field goals, is it two block punts, is it five touchdowns? It’s whatever is required.”
You never played like that, right?
(Shakes head no)
First, is it surprising that you’ve been in the league a long time and you’ve never played them? And just looking from the outside, what have you always thought about that defense?
“Just always, again, it starts with the head coach. I’ve got so much respect for him and the man that he is and that defense is, they’re bend but don’t break defense and they’re disciplined, they’re a sound defense. They don’t make mistakes. They’re really good. They’ve got three premier rushers, two on the edge, one in the interior. They got Patrick Queen who’s playing better than he’s played. They got a young corner that’s elite. They got a veteran corner that I’ve seen over the course of my career. He’s fast and likes to take chances and they got a safety that’s a ballhawk. So, they’re stacked on every level. I think the main focus is the Cleveland Browns have to come and play Cleveland Browns best version of football.”
When you talk about the Steelers’ rush, obviously T.J.’s (Watt) in the middle of all that. Just for you as you’re preparing for this game, how do you prepare for a team that brings the heat the way they do and is not afraid to be aggressive and take the football away?
“Well, it’s precision passing, getting the ball out on time, elite operation and just doing our job. It’s the simple things. Like this team is not going to try to fool you. They’re going to line up and say, “Give us your best, we’re going to give our best.”
Just in watching T.J. Watt on film, just how good is he and are you going to be aware of every single play I’m guessing?
“Yeah, he’s an amazing player. I was fortunate enough to play against his brother (J.J. Watt). Anytime you got a dominant edge rusher, you definitely have awareness where he is at all times. I think he just needs to continue to keep doing what he’s doing, and he’ll lead himself to the Hall of Fame.”
Are there any other teams you’ve never played in 10 years?
“I think the Steelers are the only team.”
So, when you go out and about in the community, you said the other night that you learned here early on that you have to beat the Steelers. What does that look like when you’re out and about and where do you kind of hear that?
“Well, I believe one, regionally, Pittsburgh is right down the road east of us, so it’s about two and a half hours right of us and I think that breeds the rivalry. I don’t think a lot of people talk about Cincy down south. I think that’s more in state. But just growing up seeing the blood, sweat and tears that happened in these games. These games are hard nose, hard fought, true definition, cold weather, football weather, football games. This is the premiere — when you’re growing up, watching NFL Films, hearing that amazing voice come on. When you see the Steelers and then he always talks about the (Las Vegas) Raiders, but the Steelers are in the Browns division. So, this is a big game, and we got to get this for our fans.”
Along those lines, you mentioned the cold weather, you’re going to get your first taste sort of some of this northeast Ohio weather potentially on Thursday. I don’t know how much cold weather you played in your career, but how do you kind of prepare for that and get ready to have this offense be successful?
“In cold weather games you can put on enough clothes to be warm, right? And we’re blessed, we got heaters on the sidelines, everything’s good. Once the blood gets flowing, you just go out there and play. With the rain and the snow, obviously it’s a premium on ball security from all the ball carriers and making sure that we’re being very decisive with what we’re doing in terms of play calls and execution.”
Do the elements make the game more challenging to you or more fun?
“A little bit of both. But like, that’s what you like — Man, when I was young, I played in this thing called “The Mud Bowl” where we played against Center Point Alabama, where it was pouring down, raining, our cleats are sinking into the ground before we snap the ball, we’re running cross buck and we’re running wing left. Like we’re doing all these like old school Wing-T type stuff. So, like this is the stuff that you play for. When you watch football movies, you hear about the falling in mud, having a big grass thing coming up in your face mask. This is exciting football, and this is what we do. It’s November football, it’s football weather and you’re playing against one of the top historic franchises with a Hall of Fame coach, Hall of Fame players, and the Cleveland Browns 2-8. We got to show up and show out.”
Did you make the trip with the Saints on the Christmas Eve game?
“I was there.”
It had to be the coldest day you’ve ever seen.
“I was there. The coldest was when I was trying to walk the Marble Room, and I thought I saw how far it was from the Hilton Hotel and I decided to walk. That was cold. On game day we had the heaters and stuff, man. It really is fun and like just growing as a lover of football, like just to be in those conditions, man. And I remember that game, we had some fans that were risking their life out there for that Christmas game. So, it’s going to be fun. But the most important thing is us playing the best version of football that the Cleveland Browns can play.”
This will be Nick Chubb’s first game against the Steelers since suffering that injury against them last year. This is your first year with him as a teammate. Is he everything as advertised that you had heard about Nick Chubb?
“He’s everything and more; just his poise, just his demeanor, just his, I would say, hard-nosed work ethic. He’s the epitome of a running back, ground and pound running back, and he can do some stuff out of backfield. He’s just a great man and we got a chance to understand what helped him become that great man with his family and all that. So I’ve been very fortunate to be his teammate.”
Just to go back to T.J. Watt really quickly. I mean, it’s not just getting the quarterbacks this year. He’s leading the league in forced fumbles. So, I know you’re always trying to take care of the football, but how much of an extra emphasis is that with that part of his game right now?
“I think anytime you’re in the pocket, you got to have a high awareness of where he is, and he does it really well. So, I like Jack Conklin. I think he’s going to do a great job against him. So we’re going to be working together to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt is an amazing player, but the Cleveland Browns have to beat the Steelers.”
How would you compare this rivalry to other ones that you’ve been a part?
Well, this is the first time I’ve been a part of this rivalry. Being from the south, I know about the Saints and (Atlanta) Falcons. I know a little bit about the (Dallas) Cowboys and (Philadelphia) Eagles, Cowboys and Raiders. Like, when you’re from the south, you hear about the Cowboys, really, because that’s America’s team. But being up here, like from the South, I say Alabama and Auburn is the baddest, dirtiest rivalry of all time versus anybody. And y’all are gonna be like, “What you mean? Ohio State and Michigan?” I’m from the South, it doesn’t even compare, but I’ll probably get some backlash on that, but I get it. But everyone has their own opinion and perspective. I think the most important thing is in these games when emotions are high, when the fans are going to be into it, this is when you need your fans the most and this is when we have to show out for the fans because it means a lot to them to win this game and it means a lot to them, it means a heck of a lot to me to go out there and get a win for them.”
You said you thought Dawand Jones might be one of the best left tackles in the game. Just how tough was it to see him go down? And then if you could get a touch on just the existing situation now at left tackle and the fact that position is in flux.
“One thing about Dawand, I know he’s going to be resilient, he’s going to stay on top of his game. You get to see the gradual process of him trending into being a premier left tackle but I think this is the epitome of next man of football. Man, Germain Ifedi has been in this league a long time. He’s a number one pick. He’s been patiently preparing for this moment. So, I’m definitely excited to be out there with him. He came in last week and did a heck of a job. So, we’re going to keep leaning on him, keep lifting him up, and we going to keep pushing forward.”
With the weather being what it is, with this being obviously a physical game in the AFC North, does the one game become a little bit more important for you guys as an offense in this one?
“When I tell you, like, anytime I’m at quarterback, I want to run football. I think like, that’s again, I’m a football lover. Like back in the day there wasn’t anybody passing the ball, it was running. That is the easiest, most efficient way of changing the outcome of a football game. I think it imposes your will on a defense, I think it’s exciting to hear the clicks and the clacks and it just helps you get some juice, man. Running the football to me is so important and I’m happy we got the running back we got.”
The receivers talked about you giving them a chance to make a play. So, what goes into that? How much trust is needed on your end and even their end to make that connection come around?
“Well, I think we have a group of veteran receivers, for the most part, Ced (Cedric Tillman) is our youngest pass catcher, and I think just the work that they put in every single week. We talk about the precision passing game, ‘I want you at this place at this time,’ and they strain, and they work to get there. They know, ‘Hey, versus man-to-man coverage, what does that mean? You got to win. Regardless of how you get open, let’s win and I’ll put the ball on you’ I think when you got a play caller like Ken (Dorsey), who’s given all of them opportunities, you keep them engaged. When receivers get engaged, it’s just, it’s the best of both worlds; they want the ball, they’re blocking for each other, they’re out there executing, and it makes football really fun.”