Select Browns Players (10.20.24)
QB Jameis Winston
Statement
“The way I was raised, I was taught to love, no matter the circumstances. Especially for people who do right by you. I’m grateful that I had a chance to serve (QB) Deshaun (Watson), but I am very upset with the reaction to a man that has had the world against him for the past four years. And he put his body and life on the line for this city, every single day. Regardless of your perception, regardless of what you thought should happen with him, he [was] committed every single day that I’ve been here to be the best that he can be for this team. I know, I come from the deep south. Birmingham, Alabama. So I know the standard that hungry fans want. But the way I was raised, I would never…I would never pull on a man when is down. But I will be the person to lift him up. All of us have unique experiences, all of us have circumstances, conditions and facts that we face every single day, and I pride myself in being a man of increase, and being a man that wants the best out of everybody. I tell myself every morning, what I want for myself, I want for everyone. And I do not want the treatment that Deshaun Watson has received from these passionate fans. I know you love this game. When I first got here, I knew these were some amazing fans. But Deshaun was treated badly, and now he has to overcome another obstacle. So I’m going to support him, I’m going to lift him up and I’m going to be there for him. Because I see the way he fights. I see the way that he works, and I know who he is as a person and as an NFL quarterback. That’s all I have to say to address him. I’m sending up my prayers – I already prayed for his leg and I will continue.”
On being the 3rd QB, then having the chance to play, how did you feel?
“The amazing thing about being an NFL quarterback is there is only one person who can be out there. And as an NFL quarterback, we have to be ready to play any role that’s given to us.”
What did it mean to see RB Nick Chubb go out there and play, but also get his first touchdown?
“I was so happy for him to get a touchdown his first game back. I know how much the fans love him. I heard the, ‘Chubb, Chubb,’ and we need more of that. I’m happy for him to get his feet back and I’m excited to see what he’s going to do moving forward.”
If Deshaun is going to miss time, whether it’s you or Dorian (Thompson-Robinson), how do you view the weeks ahead?
“I am ready and prepared for whatever role. That has been the story of my career, the last few years. I’m ready. I’m ready and prepared for whatever role it is I am to play. I’m here to serve. I’m a man of increase. I told you ever since I stepped foot in this building, what I’m about. And I’m going to continue to show that.”
CB Greg Newsome II
Where are you guys at when it comes to the journey of getting a win?
“I think we are right there when it comes to getting a win. I mean it comes down to one or two plays a game, especially our turnover ratio. We have to find ourselves on defense to get the ball a little more, but I truly think we are right there when it comes to a win.”
How hard is it to see Deshaun [Watson] go down on the other side of the ball?
“I mean it sucks. Deshaun [Watson] is just someone who works his tail off and has been through a lot. You know we all have his back, but to see him go down like that is sad, especially going off on the cart since he can’t walk himself off. It is definitely sad, and I wish him a safe and speedy recovery.”
Obviously you and many guys on the team went up to Deshaun [Watson] before he exited the field. What were you guys saying right before he got carted off?
“We told him we were gonna fight. We told him we were gonna do our best to go out there and play for him. Like I said, anyone that cannot go off on their own willpower hurts. But at the end of the day, we are all humans and an injury like that is sad, and I give a lot of credit to the Bengals players who came over and prayed for him or gave a quick message to him.”
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
You are used to seeing Cedric Tillman out there. How does it feel having him out on the offense?
“Obviously different, but it is not hard to get into the rhythm with someone you have known for practically three-fourths of your life. So I know it will be pitch and catch with him [Tillman]. I know how he is going to run his routes , and he is a big body receiver who plays big . And I think it is safe to say Cedric [Tillman] and I have a pretty good connection.”
When you went out there, what would you assess what you did?
“I mean not good enough to win, so there are a lot of things I need to do to clean up. It kind of gave me flashbacks to the Ravens game last year, and that feeling still has a bad taste in my mouth. And that is something that I need to look myself in the mirror and get ready to prepare for next week.”
When looking at your finger, what happened to it?
“I mean I just fell on it wrong on the sack. I was trying to hold it together, but I could not just ultimately hold on to the ball. I did get x-rays but I am still waiting for results, so I have no clue if I will play or not next week.”
T Dawand Jones
How tough was it to see Deshaun go down like that?
“It was really tough, you know I haven’t see a lot of gruesome injuries in person you know to see that one right there you know, the person you block for, see everyday, you know he’s always uplifting me and other people. You hate that for him you know he comes in earlier than everybody and leaves later than everybody. And you just hate that for him you know, our leader of our team.”
When he was out there the cart was coming out all of you guys surrounding him. What was that moment like for you guys as a unit?
“The thing that really hurt us the most is you know seeing the fans boo him as the cart came out, and then cheer you know. It was something that really stayed with us as players you know. Your own fans you know, you expect them to have your back through whatever we go through. To boo your starting quarterback it just, really really hurts.”
K Dustin Hopkins
Just starting with the missed field goal, what happened on the Dawg Pound end of the stadium, it was wide left?”
“Honestly I felt the contact was decent on the ball. The contact wasn’t bad, it’s more that the extra point was a much worse kick.”
What happened on the missed PAT?
“I have to watch the tape honestly. I mean I know I didn’t contact it where I wanted to. And that’s like when you’re not contacting it well, uh not a lot of stuff goes right.”
Is everything working operationally?
“Yeah yeah, no they’re great. All that is one hundred percent me. Rex (Sunahara) and Corey (Bojorquez) they’ve done awesome and Charley (Hughlett) has been great since I’ve been here. Yeah Rex is not the issue, it’s one hundred percent on my end.”