Select Browns players (11.21.24)

G Joel Bitonio

(Jack) Conklin vs. (T.J.) Watt looked like no contest tonight.

“He did a good job. I know we had a lot of slide and shift help, but Jack came ready to play and he was focused on the four days we had to come back and compete against him.”

 

With the snow and everything, was this the typical AFC North football game you were talking about?

“It really turned into it, I haven’t really had one of these. We’ve had some cold, snow games, but nothing like this. That was a first, but it was what you expect. Momentum swung both ways, and whoever had the ball last had a chance to go score. We gave them a little bit of time, but our defense stepped up and got a win.”

 

What can a win like this do for you guys?

“Just get some momentum for us. We obviously haven’t performed up to our standard, but if you look at our wins, against Baltimore, against Pittsburgh, we know we can play with good teams. Which makes it a little more frustrating. Build off this, take the weekend to get healthy, and try to build off of it. We haven’t won back to back games all year, let’s get another win against Denver and see where we’re at after that.”

 

S Grant Delpit

Do you think it was important for you guys to have it in your hands after last week when things kind of snowballed in the fourth?

“I think it was very important for us to get a bounceback win on defense. We had them pretty much taken out the whole game. We let them get down there and score a touchdown, we didn’t get the ball back for the offense when he fumbled in our own territory. A couple of things we got to clean up, but it was a great win.”

 

This was your first game in the snow?

“It was the first time I’ve ever played in the snow. Like I said, Rodney McLeod said it was his first time playing in the snow and he’s been in the league thirteen years. We gotta take advantage of these games.”

 

Can this be a springboard for you guys?

“One turns into two, two turns into three, three turns into four. That’s how we can look at it.

 

Did this feel like the stereotypical AFC North game?

“The way they were forced to run the ball, play action. You know that’s the AFC North, I’m bruised up and that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

 

RT Jack Conklin

How did the win feel?

“It was a team effort. I had a lot of help too and the snow definitely helps too. But it was a team effort. Quarterback’s playing fast. Had some help with some shifts and stuff. Just kept working.”

 

Is there a little bit of an edge for an O-lineman against a pass rusher when it’s slick out?

“Definitely. Nobody can move as fast. Snow definitely helps, but it was a great team win and obviously we’re excited.”

 

What does it mean to beat a team like the (Pittsburgh) Steelers, being an arch rival and a division game like this on national television?

“Great. It was huge, just for the morale of the team and everything to come out here. Things haven’t gone our way this year and we haven’t done what we wanted to do to start the year, but this team keeps fighting, and that was just great to see.”

 

Can this be a turning point or a springboard to more positive wins?

“Definitely. I don’t see why not. It definitely feels a lot better after a win. The team is excited. We get a little mini-bye here with the weekend. We’re just going to keep working and moving forward.”

 

What is the biggest struggle for you with the snow?

“Trying to keep my feet clean. Trying to keep the snow out of it and not slip. Really just trying to stay inside and out and force them outside so I can keep my balance too.”

 

RB Jerome Ford

How good was it to see Nick Chubb getting out there?

“It was great. Just seeing how he works, from the injury up until now. And seeing what he had to go through, and now seeing him have that success, I think everyone was excited to see it. Like I told him a few seconds ago, I’m his number one fan when he’s out there. And if I could, I would start the ‘Chubb’ chant every time he steps on the field”

 

Seeing what Jameis (Winston) was able to do tonight, what have you seen from him since he’s been the starter, and especially tonight?

“He’s got this thing he says, ‘unwavering faith’. Not just in God, but unwavering faith in situations like today. He knew the situation, where we have a fumble or a turnover, he’s coming to the sideline he says, ‘I got your back’. Just having that energy on the sideline, everyday in practice. It’s been really good for us.”

 

DT Shelby Harris

Myles [Garrett] was able to get three sacks in the first half. What was it like to be alongside him in his performance?

“I mean he is a great player and it was a big boost to our defense. It is someone we can rely on so it is great to play alongside someone like him.”

 

How was it playing in the snow today?

“These types of games are fun. These are like those childhood games in the backyard. I remember my sophomore year semifinal game in the playoffs. It was a full snowstorm, and I still remember it. You love to play in games like this and that’s what we live for.”

 

What kind of momentum can this give you guys heading into the future?

“All we can worry about is the next week. Even though this was nice, we gotta take it one game at a time. We cannot get too full of ourselves and we can’t get too much out of this win so we have to go back to the drawing board soon and focus on the (Denver) Broncos.”

 

The defense went out there for the last 57 seconds to shut down this game. How did it feel to hold down the fort and get some redemption in the 4th quarter spiral?

“This is what you live for. You want the game to be determined by us and we went out there and got the result that we wanted. As the defense, we wanted this game to be on our back. We wanted to go out there and end it, and that is what we did.”

 

WR Jerry Jeudy

What did you think about how the offense was moving in the snow, in a rivalry game like this?

“I thought we did good. The coaches had a good game plan against them. I feel like Jameis (Winston) did a good job driving down the field and delivering the ball.”

 

Was this what you were thinking you’d be able to play like when you came to Cleveland?
“This is definitely what I expected. Coming to a new team, fresh start and having more opportunities. It’s time to take advantage of them.”

 

Does this give you a renewed sense of energy as you enter the back half of the season?

“For sure. Especially beating a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers – they always have a great team.  Beating them is only going to give us great momentum.”

 

What made you guys so successful on fourth down – you were 4-for-4 tonight?

“The play calling, the line was blocking and giving Jameis time to deliver the ball and us just doing our job.”

 

How do you feel like you are fitting into the number one receiver role?

“I feel I’ve been getting open my whole career, sometimes you just don’t get that much opportunity. Now I’m here and I’m getting open and getting opportunities so now it’s time to take advantage of that.”

 

WR Elijah Moore

Did you ever play in snow even as a kid?

“No, I’ve never seen snow until I got to Ole Miss. It snowed one day over there. It was my first time. The whole team told me and I ran outside. It was a big deal.”

 

What were you thinking the way it was coming down?

“I was trying to stay locked in, but I was kind of appreciative. It was so beautiful to be honest. I thought it was super cool to play in.”

 

Does that feel like the ultimate AFC North kind of football game?

“It felt like it was exactly the games I used to watch on TV.”

 

Did you get to do snow angels?

“No, I didn’t. I was so happy I ran inside. I was still cold though. I’m still from Florida.”

 

Does that win give you a new sense of energy?

“We needed that. We have to take the momentum and keep it going.”

 

Is this something you guys can build on moving forward?

“Yeah. That’s the plan.”

 

What can you say about RB Nick Chubb?

“I’m just so happy to see him back. I think the fact that he maybe hasn’t had his huge game yet, but he’s progressing every single game. You see him in practice and he’s contagious. I’m just glad he’s on my team.”

 

Was it kind of poetic that he got to put the finishing touch on this one?

“Yeah. Nick is the face of the Cleveland Browns, so anytime that he gets to finish the moment is something that I think everybody wants.”

 

You guys went 4-4 on fourth down. Why do you think you guys had so much success?

“Jameis (Winston) and (Jerry) Jeudy. They did their thing. And the O-line.”

 

How would you describe in the abstract what a number one receiver is?

“Somebody reliable. Somebody that you can count on at all times who makes the big play in crucial moments.”

 

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