RB Jerome Ford (11.13.23)
Hey, Jerome, what can you say about the tackles who were filling in, doing the next man up thing, we’re able to help pave the way for you guys to have a strong run game yesterday?
“Great guys. They were great in preparation this week. We all took our hats off for them and what they’re able to do in that game, played real well for us.”
And then for you guys to be able to week in and week out, we’ve asked you about it before, but week in and week out, through injury and all of that, be able to maintain that strong run game. One, how do you do it? And two, what does it say about your unit that you can do it each week?
“Pretty much just listening to coaches and getting the reps in practice and making sure it translates into the game. And they just say that we’re ready and we prepare every week and we’re a good group.”
Hey, Jerome, after watching what Deshaun (Watson) was able to do, and I know you talked a little bit about this after the game yesterday, but after watching what he was able to do, coming back in on that injured ankle and showing that kind of toughness, what kind of hands do you feel like you guys are in from the quarterback position as you move forward, specifically into another big, huge AFC north game against the Steelers?
“Even before that situation, we felt like we were in good hands with Deshaun. Great hands and we continue to feel that, you know, he a dog and we behind him.”
Is he one of the toughest quarterbacks you’ve ever been around, seen, experienced?
“Yeah, definitely. He breaks tackles from D lineman that sometimes I’m not able to break. So, I feel like he’s pretty tough.”
Yeah, Jerome, take me through that twelve-yard run with less than two minutes of play where you had basically the entire team shoving you forward or trying to help you grind out those twelve yards. And just how much does that exemplify the no quit personality of this team?
“It was pretty much a run play, power play, and we got up to the second level and kind of got to a stalemate. And all I could think was to hold on to the ball and keep my feet turning. And then out of nowhere, I felt a push and I felt a bigger push and I’m just in the pile, the Ravens in there ripping at the ball. I’m just like, hold on to the ball and it’s like I’m holding on and I’m like, is the play going to be over? They’re still pushing it. And eventually went down and you see it on film and it’s like, man, that was a real great play.”
And just that game in general yesterday where you guys were climbing an uphill battle from the second play of the game, where does that resilient, tough mentality that never say die come from for you guys this year where you don’t allow mistakes to beat you and you guys just seem to find a way week in and week out to give yourselves a chance.
“Pretty much ever since I got here, Coach (Stefanski) been preaching on playing all four quarters and being tough and resilient, and we kind of fall in and rally behind that and we try to prove them right and show that we’re a tough, resilient team. And like you say, if there are downs left and there’s time left, you still got a chance.”
So, when you guys are down 14, nothing there with about eleven and a half minutes to play, what was going on in that huddle? What were you guys saying to each other?
“Just don’t sweat it. Play our game. We got time and we got downs. So, let’s continue to play and do our job and everything will fall into place.”
Your teammate Kareem Hunt has found the end zone five weeks in a row. Every time that he’s in there, what is that reaction like for you? What is your conversation when you’re celebrating that with him now?
“Every week for the last five weeks, it’s exciting. Anytime we’re able to put points on the board and contribute to a win, it’s not just a touchdown for Kareem. We all like, yes, there’s a touchdown for us, the running back room. We’re always excited to be able to contribute and with Kareem scoring those touchdowns, you know it makes us all happy.”
How do you guys, how do you keep it going? You have to get so up for a game like that against the Ravens and now you have just as big of a game again on Sunday. How do you keep this momentum going and will you guys be able to do that?
“Just realizing that the most important game of your career is the next game and continue with that mindset. Know no matter who they put in front of us, we have a game to play and it’s the biggest game of our lives. And continue to play with that kind of mindset.”
So Steelers week doesn’t mean any more to you guys per se than 49ers week or any other week?
“Right now the Steelers mean the most. It’s the next game and we’re excited to play them. Big rivalry and we’re looking forward to play a hard game, get the job done.”
Jerome, congratulations on a great performance, bro. How does it feel? You’re coached by Stump Mitchell. Stump Mitchell was an excellent running back in the day with the Cardinals. Does he give you some subtleties or some hints on what you can do to become that elite back? Because it seems like the more games you play, the better you are becoming.
“Thank you, Coach Stump is great. Just having somebody who’s been in the same position, been a running back in the NFL, been a running back coach, seen it from different perspectives. It’s always good to have him in your corner. He’s always dropping gems in the run game, pass protection, routes. He was a dog himself at running back. You know, we look to take any little thing we can get from coach (Mitchell). He always giving out gems and we always soaking it all up.”
Hey, Jerome, I know you touched on it, but I wanted to go back to the tackles. The fact that you guys were down both starting tackles, how did you work through that process during the week? And then how did you think those guys did yesterday?
“Just throughout the week, understanding there’s the next man up and they’re our teammates and we’re going to rally behind them. And I feel like they understood that they had a job to do. And when it came time to do their job, I feel like they did a great job. They contributed to the win. Like I said, just preparation. Throughout the week, I feel like they attacked it and they understood that were behind them no matter what and they went and got the job done.”
# # #
***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.***