Select Browns Players (11.5.23)
LG Joel Bitonio
Was it good to see a bounce to go your way this week on the Amari (Cooper) touchdown?
“I don’t know exactly what happened, I didn’t even know he scored on that. I was blocking somebody, but yeah, I’m glad he made that play.”
How do you balance the emotion of a big team win, but seeing Jed (Jedrick Wills Jr.) go down like that?
“It’s tough. I’m not sure what the extent is. He was contained on the field, obviously, had to get carted off. I hope it’s not too serious, but it’s not good. We’ve had him and Jack (T Jack Conklin) and Nick (RB Nick Chubb), we’ve had some serious ones this year. Hopefully, he can bounce back. It’s hard, James (OL James Hudson III) came in and fought, did the best he could do. But it’s always tough when you see one of your guys, especially someone you play next to, go down like that.”
Was there a point in the game where you said to yourself that Watson looks like he’s back?
“I think in the second half. You know, he got hit a few times on that two-minute drive that we didn’t want before the half. He came out in the second half and I think that long pass to Coop was one that looked really good to me. He was running, he was scrambling, so I think he got comfortable after four or five drives in that first half and started to feel like himself again.”
WR Amari Cooper
How is it to have Deshaun Watson back?
“Nice to have him back out there. Nice to see him doing his thing, making throws. It felt good especially come out here and have the performance that he had, and to have the overall performance that we had, it was a good feeling.”
How ironic or interesting is it that a week ago it was a ball bouncing off a helmet that goes against you guys but today, it is a reversal that the ball bounced off the guy’s helmet into your hands?
“Harris said that the football Gods owed us one so there you have it.”
Stefanski said that the last long past was drawn up in the dirt by you and Watson. What did you do and what did you see?
“I saw they were doubling me on third down but the way they were doubling me was kinda counterintuitive to stop me and I was just seeing the corner playing outside leverage and Budda Baker was running downhill at me trying to double team me. I think I can beat them on the post and he called it, that’s the great thing about Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, he doesn’t have to listen to us, he’s the play caller but he called it and it was up to us to make sure it worked.”
Did that convince you that Watson was back, that pass was right on the money?
“The first deep ball he threw convinced me he was back because if he wasn’t feeling good he wouldn’t have thrown the ball deep. So, once he threw that I’m like okay, cool let’s go because I know Deshaun likes to throw the ball deep. That’s his thing, so once he threw it I was like he must be feeling good.”
Were you able to work on those deep balls in practice this past week?
“We communicated about it all the time and obviously we work on all the plays throughout the week. Like I said, before that’s one of Deshaun’s greatest assets is that deep ball he loves to throw it deep and it’s beautiful so it’s up to us to get open and up underneath it and make it into a big play.”
How nice is it watching the defense do what they did today?
“I haven’t really played with many defenses like this one, I have played with some good defenses, but I think without a doubt this is the best one. They go out there, they perform. They don’t want to give up first downs so I think that’s a great trait to have as a defense.”
DT Jordan Elliott
Seeing your hard work pay off, what does that do for you?
“It definitely helps. I think it is more so about being consistent. You do not want to be up and down super high and super low. Try to just keep a level head.”
What have you learned from this group, to have a day like this what does it say about the defensive line?
“It is special. I think from the first day that we came together as a team, we clicked instantly. No one was selfish or wanted to put down someone else. Everyone just wanted everyone to win. That is something special about our group.”
How big is it for you to make a big play and then see other guys follow suit?
“It is fun. We have not been this dominant since 2020. It is fun to go out there and shout out a team. Something that does not happen too often in the NFL.”
What does this type of performance say about who you guys are?
“I think it is a game that kind of brought us back to our roots as a unit. It reestablished our identity. These last two weeks it was leaky. It was not the first five, I think that this game was kind of a statement for us.”
DE Myles Garrett
Myles, how gratifying to have such a dominant defensive performance, to get that shutout for the first time in a million years here?
“It feels great. Haven’t had a shutout in a while, just like you said, and it was a perfect opportunity. Bounce back game. We haven’t been playing up to the standard that we’ve set on defense and we took the challenge that (Jim) Schwartz set for us, and we played with our hair on fire. Guys really responded and happy they did to the level in which they did.”
How much were you thinking about the shutout and when did you start thinking about it?
“I’m always thinking about the shutout. You go into a game thinking they don’t have to score. I mean we lived up to that. They don’t have to gain an inch. So, if they get it, let’s get a TFL to take those off the board. And we made a lot of negative plays, a lot of game-changer plays all across the board, from the front end to the back end, and couldn’t be prouder.”
Myles, what do you think of the way that your guys in the interior were able to impact this game?
“They balled out. I mean, can’t even name one of them because all of them had a piece from the pie, especially Dalvin (Tomlinson) having the majority. And he’s been due, he’s been working his butt off trying to do more for the team, for the defense, saying he’s going to step up, he’s going to do his part. It’s like, man, just got to wait for your opportunity. Quarterback chooses who’s going to sack him. So, once he steps up and he’s in your path, just make the most of it and make those plays that come to you. And he was stepping up out of pressure from us, spinning the edge and winning on the edge and they were winning their one on ones inside. That’s what we asked them to do, and they had a hell of a day.”
Considering the uncertainty of the last five weeks with Deshaun (Watson), is there a sense of relief in seeing him go out there?
“Yeah, I mean, you don’t expect the guy to look like Superman, especially come off an injury like he was. So, him getting back in the groove of things, getting the feel of the game, making those deep passes, putting some on the money, getting out the pocket, just feeling like himself again. That’s what we want to see and he’s only going to get better.”
Now you’ve got the offense complimenting you guys, too. Just how exciting is it to go out there and see it all come together like that?
“I mean, that’s what we preach and practice every day, playing as a singular unit, everybody being in that flow state, and it all came together. I couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”
Myles, with that, though, how quickly do you have to really turn the page because you’re facing a lot more difficult offense next week?
“Give it same the amount if you were to lose a game, you get that 48 hours. Give it a day to enjoy it. Give it a day to break it down, and then next, you’re on to your opponent.”
Myles, thoughts on another shot at Lamar (Jackson) and the Ravens next week?
“I mean, we’re always excited for that challenge, man. That’s because they’re so talented. They’re so high powered. They have playmakers all over. They want to run the ball, and now they got plenty of guys in every area that can. They also spread the offense out and chuck it down the field. They’re very versatile, and that’s what makes the challenge so exciting and makes you want to dominate on defense. They’re looking to do the same thing because they have a powerful defense, as well.”
When you say that Jim Schwartz had a call to action this week, is that something specifically for this week or just in general?
“No, he made it clear we got to get back to ourselves, and that was something he said Wednesday. We got back in the building, and he wasn’t happy, and none of us were. He wanted us to get back to what we’ve been doing, and we knew we had been a little bit off course and glad to get this one under our belt and get back on the right path.”
What are you seeing on that play where you wind up with the fumble that Shelby (Harris) got?
“Sure. I went in my rush, and I’m thinking, I’m getting a strip sack, and then I see big old 93 slide through and hit the on, the ball comes out, and I’m like, if I don’t get the sack, I might as well take it to the house. Scoop the ball up the air, and all of a sudden, my feet are in the air because Ogbo (Okoronkwo) is tackling me, because he thinks I’m a Cardinal. Just glad to get the ball and be a part of a hell of a play that Shelby created.”
How nice was it to see that all the dogs got to eat today and so many guys contributed to this?
“That’s what it’s all about. It’s not a one man show. It’s not just the edge guys or just the guys who were premier, came from free agency. Everyone had a hand in it, whether they’d been on Cleveland for a while or they came from somewhere else. Guys stepped up across the board, (Sione) Takitaki getting to shine, Denzel (Ward) making plays, all those guys who didn’t get targeted but still keeping their man off the stat sheet. You want to see the team ball like that, where everyone feels like they made a difference, and that’s how you continue to build camaraderie and you build a winning standard.”
What’s the feeling like when Corey (Bojorquez) bends the team back inside the five, down at the one? When you’re going out there as a defense, what’s that feeling like?
“I mean, that’s huge. It’s almost like he made a score and play himself, putting defense inside the five and allowing us to go hunt, make negative plays, trying to put points on the board ourselves or keep them backed up so the offense in great position. He flips the field, and he had a hell of a day, but none greater than what he did today.”
When you see Deshaun (Watson) play the way that he does, and he just let it rip and absorb hits and run around and improvise and all that kind of stuff, I mean, he’s such a baller. How does that fire you guys up to see him out there playing like that?
“I mean, he shows no fear. He loves to play the game, and I feel like he’s been playing the same way since he was a kid. Now, he doesn’t care about being tackled, doesn’t care about going downfield on his shoulder. He’s going to do all that because that’s who he is. He’s just a football player to the fullest. He’s not just a quarterback. He wants to make plays no matter what it takes, and he’ll risk life and limb, but he wants to win. And everyone has to be about that same mindset. When goes out there and does things like that, it inspires and motivates us to do the same thing.”
DT Shelby Harris
How gratifying is it when you have a group that can take over the way you guys did today?
“It feels good to have a game like this. This is something to build on. We are halfway through the season now and so now it is time to keep stacking. This is an important part of the season for us. The next two games are conference opponents.”
The Browns have not had a shutout since 2007. How cool is it to be a part of that?
“It is always cool to be a part of a shutout, because you know how big they are. They don’t happen very often. I think in my career I have only been a part of one or two in ten years. It is something to pat yourself on the back for. But tomorrow we are right back in the office. That is the thing about this league, you have to forget stuff quickly. You cannot get too high on one performance, because that is how you get smacked in the mouth the next week.”
Did you see the ball, or did you swipe where you thought it would be?
“I could see him starting to wind up, so I just tried to reach my arm around there and get the ball out.”
Two tough games coming up. How motivated do you have to be going into those divisional games?
“We are always going to be motivated going into divisional games. We are going to go out there and try to play our best football. It is time for us to put up or shut up. These next two games are big games. We are going to be ready for them.”
DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
Big game for the defense, how did you guys feel out there from the start?
“We just wanted to start fast. We have really been emphasizing that all week.”
Did it feel like one of those games early that you could dominate on all levels of the defense?
“All levels of the defense were playing well, we all played off of each other. Defense was putting pressure, cover guys were covering, and linebackers were correcting everything. It was perfect football. They didn’t miss a drop.”
Does this feel like a game where you can reset and resurge and see that defense that you guys have talked about all season?
“For us, we never stop being us. Not every day is going to be a sunny day outside but today was. We just want to keep getting back to work and stacking the days. It’s a long season, we have a lot of games left so we are just happy for this win.
What do you say about DT Dalvin Tomlinson, he had three sacks today?
“We are really happy for Dalvin, he works really hard day in and day out so to see him get three sacks in a game – everybody, not just the D-line, was having fun.”
How did it feel to see QB Deshaun Watson find his groove on that offense after being unhealthy for so long?
“We are just so happy that he is back out there healthy, running around, smiling, having fun, making plays, and celebrating.”
What’s the key for this defense just keeping your foot on the gas the whole game when you are up so big and continuing to play hard all the way through?
“We just started fast and continuing to have fun, just keep showing swag and keep celebrating, and enjoying each other’s time.”
DT Dalvin Tomlinson
Seven sacks as a defense, what does that say as a defense and how you were able to get to the quarterback today?
“It says a lot. We haven’t played to our standard the last couple of weeks and I felt like this defense, we came out here today with something to prove. We wanted to get back in the stride of things and the stepping stones of where we want to go.”
With the emphasis of playing fast on defense, what was it like this week in practice?
“The defense, we challenge ourselves. We want to go out there and prove it, not even to the world, but to ourselves of what we can be. We have to go and work every single day, harder than we did before.”
This is the first shut-out for the Browns since 2007, what do you think about that?
“I didn’t even know that. That’s crazy. It’s super amazing to have a shut-out. That’s always what you want on defense. Everything was clicking across the board, from our front seven to the back guys. Everyone was playing their hearts out.”
You got the hat trick on sacks, how does that feel?
“It feels amazing. It doesn’t feel real right now.”
Is this what you envisioned for this defensive line, from the first time you were all together at the Greenbriar?
“Of course. When we first started practicing together, we were like ‘The sky is the limit with all of the talent we have.’ The biggest thing was building chemistry, leaning on each other, rush and just play off each other. That’s when the big plays come together.”
How much does having Myles Garret coming off the edge, how much of an impact does he have, even when he doesn’t make the play?
“Hey man, that’s Myles Garrett. He impacts every single play when he’s out there. Myles is one of those guys that you have to respect no matter where he is standing up, off the ball, left or right end, it doesn’t matter. He frees up a lot of stuff for the rest of us.”
CB Denzel Ward
How nice is it for the defense to be able to help out the offense with turnovers?
“The offense did a great job. We were just trying to put them in a great position and make it easy for them to score and put some points on the board.”
It’s been 16 years since the last Browns shutout, what does that mean to you?
“It’s huge. That’s what we are doing it for. We’re trying to make history over here. Glad to get the win and we have to keep stacking them. It was good complimentary football. Defense did good, offense and special teams. We just have to keep building and keep going.”
Do you ever remember seeing a defensive tackle take over the way Dalvin Tomlinson did?
“No, he was dominating. You have to keep building and keep stacking.”
Talk about the whole defensive front.
“They made a huge difference. You saw that today, able to dominate and be disruptive up in the front and force things out to Myles and Z on the outside. Those guys deserve it, they work hard throughout the week and were able to make plays today.”
I don’t think Martin Emerson had a pass thrown his way today. Have you ever seen that?
“MJ has been locking down, so they are probably starting to throw away from him. Hopefully, they throw more to my side. I’ll be cool with that, throw more to my side and I’ll make some plays [laughter].”
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