QB Taylen Green (8.25.26)
How good was it in the joint practice to get some reps?
“It was good. Not getting a lot of reps, but at the same time you always have to be prepared for that moment when your number gets called. So, it felt good, being out there with the guys.”
Coach (Todd) Monken gave us some positive feedback about how impressed he was. Did he give you that feedback too?
“I mean, yeah, but it’s really, you do good or you do bad, and it’s about what you can learn each and every day in each and every practice. So yeah, did some good things, but also got some things to clean up as well.”
Was it nice to be able to show off both your arm and your legs on that sequence in the red zone where you hit Tylan (Wallace) and then scored on the run?
“Yeah, definitely. It just shows my versatility. The touchdown to Tylan, I just threw it, he made the play, made a great catch, celebrating and having fun out there.”
How excited are you for your first NFL game here Thursday?
“Oh, I’m excited. I’ve got family coming to town. It’s a night game, lights out. It’s going to be a dream come true. Just being out there and being a Cleveland Brown, who wouldn’t want that?”
When you don’t get the reps that you would normally get in practice, how are you making up for that and simulating them, especially physically?
“Yeah, just taking mental reps. When I get the call from my helmet, I’m saying it. We have the wristbands, staying after practice, throwing, going through the script, asking questions in the quarterback room, or just listening and being a sponge and continuing to learn. I’m in a unique position. Yeah, I’m not getting a lot of reps, but at the same time I have a great quarterback room that has a lot of wisdom and has a lot of experience. So, I’m just learning. It feels like I’m in the classroom.”
Coach Monken’s offense seems to have a lot of demands on the quarterback, pre-snap, cadence and so on. How are you doing with that part of your job?
“I feel like I’m doing a good job, but I can always be better. I feel like it’s a lot on a quarterback’s plate, but I was at Arkansas, Coach (Bobby) Petrino would tell us that’s an occupational hazard. It comes with the job, and you’ve got to embrace it. Each and every day you’ve got to go at it with a full head of steam and keep learning and keep growing.”
Despite maybe not getting a ton of reps at practice to this point, what do you feel like you’ve learned the most from getting here in the spring, rookie minicamp up until this point, where you’re about to play in a game this Thursday?
“I would just say the huddling and calling the play in the huddle and just having the confidence and the energy that each play we’re going to score, even if it’s a run play. And I’d say my attention to detail. When I scored that touchdown, there are still things I can work on. I feel good, but there are little things: footwork, ball placement, the way it comes out of my hand. My coaches are doing a great job of highlighting that to me so I can be more aware, and after practice I can continue to get those reps and continue to learn and get better at those things.”
Taylen, in minicamp, Coach Monken made the point that with your long arms and long delivery, the checkdowns were something you needed to improve on. Has there been an emphasis in training camp on making those shorter passes?
“I mean, yeah, just making the easy passes, making the layups, I like to call them. Of course, everybody loves the explosive plays and the wild plays, but a checkdown or a throwaway is just as good, or an efficient play to stay ahead of the chains. That’s something I’ve learned watching Deshaun (Watson), watching Shedeur (Sanders) and watching Dillon (Gabriel) with how efficient they are going up and down the field.”
How hard is it to make some of those simple reads for you, knowing you’ve got the arm to stretch the field out there?
“I feel like there’s a fine line between yes, you can make the throws, and there’s a fine line to use your legs to get the first down or to get positive yards, but at the same time, if we call a big zone and the defenders are getting depth, the running back is just as liable to get the ball. We have some great running backs, so I put it in their hands and let them do the rest.”
Todd talked back in the spring, or maybe it was Andrew (Berry), about trying to help you master one position before doing anything else. Have there been any conversations about utilizing your skill set in other ways outside of quarterback at this point?
“Nah, we’re just focused one day at a time, focusing on training camp and getting better each and every day.”
When we talked to Deshaun yesterday, he talked about how he’s trying to put the pieces back together after his press conference the other night, and about how much support he has in this building. I’m sure it’s that way in the quarterback room especially. What are your thoughts on him winning the job and trying to regroup after that difficult night?
“He’s one of our quarterbacks, so I always have his back regardless of the situation. You’ve got to feel for him. It was definitely an emotional time, and like he said, a lot of frustration. But at the same time, he’s going to give it all he has, and I’m right there with him. Anything I can do to help him and help the quarterback room; I’m going to do. I’m just excited to see what he does and watch him do his celebration like he does.”
Do you have any idea how much time you’ll play on Thursday?
“I don’t know.”
Coach always talks about how smart you are and how well you pick things up and learn. Has that always been one of your strong suits, and what do you attribute that to?
“I would just say my coaches in my college career. I had some really amazing coaches, blessed to have some of the best ever do it: Coach (Dirk) Koetter, Coach Bush (Hamdan) and Coach Petrino. I just give credit to them. And of course, my coaches here have been preparing me even though I’m not getting in, they still ask me questions when I’m behind them, just to make sure I’m staying locked in.”
Is that Dirk Koetter?
“Yes, sir.”
Coach Monken worked under him, is this offense not too unfamiliar to you?
“It has a little bit of similarities, but with the situation in Boise, he came in the middle of the season, so he couldn’t really install all of his offense. So, there are some similarities though.”
You know better than us that playing quarterback comes with more than just throwing routes, it about how you lead and carry yourself as well. How do you practice quarterback swagger when you’re not out there as much as you want?
“I mean, really you’ve got to have self-confidence, confidence in yourself, and know that you’re here for a reason. Just continuing to learn and learn from the quarterbacks in the room. I’d say always have that self-belief. You don’t know when your number’s called, but when it is, you’ve got to stay ready, especially in this position. You’re in the NFL; you’ve got to be professional each and every day.”
We saw you at the end of practice doing that drill: offensive line, defensive line, you as the quarterback. It looked like it could get a little chippy at times. How much did you enjoy those reps and the competitiveness of them?
“Oh, I enjoyed it, especially when the defense jumped offside. But no, I enjoyed it. Working on my pocket presence, working on my moves, and having energy with the guys. They’re protecting me back there, so I’m just enjoying it.”
Has the thought crossed your mind that roster cuts are coming on the 30th? Do you give that any thought, or wonder if you’re going to make the 53?
“I mean, of course it crosses your mind, but at the same time you can’t control that. You’ve got to just be where your feet are and control what you can control and put your best foot forward each and every day.”
It seems like all the QBs are very unified. How valuable is it to have a quarterback room that’s tight with each other?
“I mean, that’s where you’re at every single day, your comrades. We’re in the quarterback room for a long time, and if you don’t have good energy and a good vibe about it, it’s going to be a long day. But everybody has a common goal and just wants everybody to be great. Yes, there’s competition, but at the same time competition brings the best out of everybody. So honestly, I love it, and like I said, I’m just learning, really.”
# # #
***Visit the Browns Media Center for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***