Select Browns Players (10.1.23)

 Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

LG Joel Bitonio

 

Was the team surprised that QB Deshaun Watson did not play today?

“That is a decision between him and the doctors. I did not know either way. He was questionable going in and that is what we expected.”

How much did the offense change due to QB Deshaun Watson not playing?

“As far as I know we called the same plays that we normally call. Our first 15 plays did not change. I think it was very similar.”

 

What was not working for you guys offensively?

“We did not have success running or passing. It comes down to blocking, executing, and getting open. I think it was just one of those days where we did not play good enough. Hats off to them. They were not sending any crazy blitzes or anything like that.”

 

Does the bye week come at a good time for this team now?

“I think you always want it a little bit later. But, there are some guys banged up and coming off some injuries so hopefully we can get all of them healthy and feeling a little bit better.

 

What was your message to QB Dorian Thompson Robinson today after the game?

“Keep your head up, we did not do enough for you. It is a tough spot to come in and not really know if you are going to go or not. He is a rookie going against really any defense in the NFL is tough. I just told him we did not do enough for you, sorry man. We will get better and I know he knows that. He took some hits out there that were tough and popped back up. So I have a lot of respect for him for that. But we cannot let him take those.

 

RB Jerome Ford

 

Can you talk about the game plan? 

“Coach (Kevin Stefanski) had a game plan and I feel like whatever he had planned, we followed and we will continue to put our trust in Coach.”

How much does this team need a bye right now? How big will this bye week be for the team?

“I think it’s pretty big. We get some time to focus on ourselves and focus on the stuff that we missed in those two losses and find a way to get better this week and get ready for another game.”

 

What was Baltimore doing defensively specifically against the run, did you feel there were lanes there for you to get?

“I felt the lanes were pretty smooth.”

 

What was it like making adjustments out there?
“We just were keeping our energy going. Keep fighting. Keep pushing.”

 

What was the mindset when you guys found out it was Dorian (Thompson-Robinson) [playing]?
“Next man up. Whatever we have to do to rally behind Dorian like we would Deshaun (Watson). Making sure he’s ready to go.”

 

The veteran leaders, what were they saying to guys out there?

“Pretty much keep going, keep pushing, keep fighting and just do what we practiced throughout the week.”

 

What was the toughest part about not being able to get the run game going today?
“I think not being able to get the run game going is frustrating for any team, anybody.

 

How did you think DTR handled his first start?
“Mentally, he handled it well. There’s more work to do. I think going forward he could be a better player.”

 

Were you guys surprised that Deshaun didn’t play? It seemed to be that there was so much confidence he was going to be able to play and then at the last minute today they decided that he wasn’t going to play. Does that come as a surprise?

“A little bit, not really. I think our focus was more so on the game. When we found out that information, we just pivot and adjust it to what we have to do.”

 

DE Ogbo Okoronkwo 

 

How disappointing is it that they were the more physical team? 

“It is very disappointing because we take pride in that. You cannot cry over spilled milk. You cannot go back out there and tackle better right now. We just have to correct things in practice and know that when we get our chance. We are going to play them again and we will do better.”

Was it deflating at all for the defense when you guys learned that QB Deshaun Watson was not playing?

“I would not say it was deflating. We strongly believe that what we have is all we need. It was not deflating, but of course, we want our starting quarterback to be playing.”

 

What is it about TE Mark Andrews, he seems to always hurt the Browns?

“I went to college with the guy. He has been a talented tight end since we were in college at OU (University of Oklahoma). I did not expect anything less from him.”

 

Does the bye week come at a good time for this team?

“I would say so, just time to reassess and take a step back from everything. Any bumps or bruises we have, we can get those taken care of and when we get back we will be ready to roll.”

 

S Juan Thornhill

 

Ogbo said they felt like they were the more physical team today. Would you agree that’s the most disappointing part of the loss?

“I would say so. They ran the ball down our throats. Like I said, a bunch of guys missed tackles and that’s what hurt us the most.”

Can this be a learning experience and actually help in the long run?

“Oh yeah. It shows the guys that we have to show up each and every day and keep pushing ourselves. You can’t get complacent. Just because you won one football game, the next week someone is coming in to punch you in the mouth. That’s what they did to us today.”

 

How difficult was it to control Ravens QB Lamar Jackson?

“Honestly, I don’t think Lamar really beat us much with his legs. That’s one of the guys we did focus on. I think the running back hurt us the most. He was running the ball down our throat, guys were missing tackles and had big explosive runs. That’s what hurt us.”

 

What was the difference this week versus the last few games?

“I’m going to keep repeating it. The past weeks, we made our tackles. When those guys came up, we got them on the ground to live another down. This week, the guys were running for 40 yards and that’s the difference in the game. Giving up those long runs will deflate you as a defense a little bit.”

 

LB Anthony Walker

 

Ogbo (Okoronkwo) said they felt like they were the more physical team today. How disappointing is that knowing you pride yourself on that?

“Very disappointing. But like I said, this is the NFL and you have to bring it every week. We understand that. They got the better of us today. It’s a long season. A division game and we get to play them again and we’re excited for that whenever the time is. Use this week to get our minds right, bodies right and get ready for the long run.”

With this early bye week, you have to wait an extra week to get past this game. What are the good and bad of the bye week after a loss like this?

“It sucks. Obviously, the bye week is the bye week and you use that time anyway to get your body to 100%, as much as you can. Coming off a loss like this, you have that bad taste in your mouth. You have to sit with it for two weeks. I think that will be a wake up call for our team. You’ll see a lot of guys ready to go the next game. Sucks we have to wait so long to go out there and respond, but this team is mentally tough. We are going to be ready to go. This is a long season. We aren’t flinching at all. They beat our butts today but it’s a long season.”

 

The defense seemed to be on the field a little longer this game than in others, how do you adjust to that? Did you feel that on the field?

“That doesn’t matter. We can’t worry about that. When we are on the field, we have to get off the field on third down. We have to get them to third down. There were a couple of drives where we didn’t look like ourselves in the second quarter. That starts with me. I have to be better. We’ll be fine. Trust me.”

 

LB Jeramiah Owusu-Koramoah

 

What was the difference on defense this week?

“As a defense, we have to make sure we stay disciplined. Follow the scheme and tackle well. That’s what it comes down to. As you see when we are playing to execute, we stop them. Outside of that, mishaps happen.”

Were the Ravens doing anything special from a run-game standpoint?

“Not necessarily. All of the successful runs were gap-scheme. We knew thatm just have to execute.”

 

Was there anything really substantially different the Ravens were doing?

“Literally, gap-scheme and just execute. One wheel-route where it was tight-close, I just need to make sure I get around the pick and small stuff like that. It’s nothing super-huge or mystical, it’s the basics.”

 

WR Donovan People-Jones

 

What’s the mentality going into this week off?

“Definitely have to watch the tape to see where we can clean up, see how we can get better. Rest up and come back refreshed.”

 

What was the mentality at the start of the game for you guys as a team?

“Just continue to do what we have been doing. We had a great practice all week so, really just coming out here in the game and continue to execute whatever the play is and that’s the mentality. This play and then next play mentality.”

 

It seemed like the expectation was that Deshaun (Watson) was going to play. Were you guys at all taken back or surprised that he was unable to play this morning?

“We were hopeful and we went with DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) and we have to roll from there.”

 

What was your message to him throughout that game as he was maybe struggling a little bit and getting his feet wet in his first regular season game? What did you guys say to him out there?
“Just saying we got his back. We are all in this together as a team.”

 

How do you think he is going to respond to this one?

“I think he will respond great.”

Did the game plan at all get changed? It seemed as though there was a difficult Deshaun-style game plan like there weren’t many changes made to accommodate for the quarterback change. Is that accurate?

“That’s not really in my control. I’m not really sure, but I know that we have to execute and continue to just play at a high level.”

 

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