S John Johnson III (7.28.22)
On how different things are now entering his second year with the Browns:
“It is a lot different. The vibe is way better. I do not know if it is just me, but I feel like everyone feels that same vibe. We have got a lot of guys back, and that continuity is huge, especially on defense. It is fun, and we are enjoying it. Can’t wait to get out there on the field.”
On what worked last year for the Browns secondary that prepared him for this season, including with the DBs rotating frequently last year and most of the unit returning:
“This is a tough conference. The AFC is stacked. It is hard to make it through a whole season [with everyone being available]. There are going to be different combinations, but that is why we work so hard now to train everyone to be ready to play at any given moment. Like you said, I think we are calloused. I think we built those little scars, but we healed up from them and now we can put our foot to the gas and get things going.”
On the importance of Ss Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison Jr. also returning to the room:
“That just brings me back to last year when we were talking, ‘Oh, we are going to put three safeties on the field. How is it going to work?’ We had a lot of ups and downs, but towards the end of the year, I think we all meshed given whatever position the three core safeties were playing.”
On if there were indications last season that a three-S formation can be effective:
“Absolutely. Sometimes, you want to bring more corners out there. I think bringing safeties out there, especially with our skill types, I think we can do pretty much anything. Ronnie and Grant, they play nickel, they play dime and they play whatever you ask them to do. Us three on the field, even whatever the offense gives us, I think we can stand up and play any type of defense.”
On there being benefits that the Browns defense has continuity and everyone has strong familiarity with their roles and the scheme:
“100 percent. Like I said, towards the end of last year, we were really rolling. It was kind natural. At the beginning of the year, it was like we were thinking a lot and we were trying to get adjusted, but even now, it just feels natural. We do not have to say anything to each other. It is kind of like we just look [and know what to do]. That is the definition of a good defense and a good secondary from what I have learned in the past.”
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