Select Browns Players (8.23.25)
TE Harold Fannin Jr.
Talk about that touchdown, how good did that feel, and were you surprised you were that open?
“It felt great man, I have to thank my coaches for putting me out there. I also got to thank Joe (QB Flacco) for putting it on me man.”
On that touchdown it looked like they had you lining up like a receiver, is that the kind of stuff that you feel confident in, because I know Andrew (Berry) has called you the “queen on a chess board”?
“I feel like I am just a confident football player in general because of all the work that I’ve put in. Everything my coach needs me to do, I can go out there and do.”
What did you see on the actual play, how did it unfold from your perspective?
“They just rolled a little high, I ran the route that my coach had us run and I was pretty much wide open. It was a ‘pitch and catch’ for me.”
Now that Flacco has been named the starter for Week 1, and you guys got to operate a series and get a touchdown, what does that do for the confidence of the offense?
“You can definitely see that things are clicking. We just need to keep taking that momentum into Week 1.”
QB Dillon Gabriel
Did it feel different the second time out there compared to the first?
“At home was cool. I was really excited to play at home, been here for an event but hadn’t been on the field. It was a lot of fun. I love our home atmosphere.”
The third down completion to Thrash in the two minute drill. Go into that play.
“(WR Jamari) Thrash did a great job winning on that route. Throwing an indicator for me so I can anticipate the throw. Him being able to get two feet in, I’m proud of him. I think you can see–from game one together to two–just building our continuity and cohesion together. That’s how it happens, and it happens slowly. The league is a little different with new guys in and out, but the more you can build that continuity with a player or unit, the better you see guys perform.”
Take us through that two minute drive. It looked flawless. How was it from your perspective?
“You want to end with points and we talk about the middle eight a bunch. I think you divvy the game up: starting fast, which Joe (QB Flacco) did a great job of, the middle eight, dominating that and getting as many points as you can, then finishing strong. I think we all did that within the time periods we had, trying to continue to build on that, and operating in the two minute is great, you need those kinds of reps.”
You’ve practiced situational stuff all the time. Did this feel like you were practicing it?
“Anytime you get in practice, there’s an elite focus to try to replicate that. But when you’re in the game and getting different coverages and getting what the defense may give you, it operates a little differently.”
Is there something different with you in a game situation vs practice? It seems like in the games you are just dialed in. Do you feel that when you’re out there?
“You try to pride yourself on your preparation, and the preseason is interesting in the way you do prepare. There’s joint practices, sometimes there’s a week of prep, there’s a lot of ways people do and you try to manage it the best you can. But the practice ground is for learning and being able to grow and try different things, and shoot, we try different plays. We see what our identity is, run game pass games, and everything in between.”
To be turnover free and lead two scoring drives. What was that like?
“I think it’s just continuing to take care of the football, it’s the only thing you talk about. I don’t want to be a coach’s speaker or be redundant, but taking care of the football, winning the turnover battle, being really good on third down, scoring touchdowns in the red area, and then dominating the middle eight. I think that’s all things that you want to be aware of and you want to do. You want to continue to be aggressive, and learn–in certain plays–when it’s time to give it a shot, or time to give it up and throw the ball away. Things I’m learning and want to do that for us to get better.”
QB Shedeur Sanders
How do you think you played today?
“Obviously, I feel like I can improve in a lot of areas, like the same thing I said last time. I’m just excited for the opportunity to get out there and play.”
What is the biggest thing you’ve learned or taken away from training camp?
“The biggest thing I’ve learned – I’ll say connecting with my teammates, relationships and bonding with everybody.”
Three days until roster cut-downs, how do you feel about that? Do you feel like you belong here on this team?
“Obviously. I think, overall as a player, I’ve put in the work. I feel like everything I do, I try to do it to my best and that’s all I can ask for. I feel like everybody feels like they should be on the team. If you ask anybody on the team, would they feel like they belong – they belong in their own eyes. I feel like I do, but I’m my own player. I think about myself in a high regard, of course. It’s not my decision.”
Do you feel like you’ve shown enough during the preseason as to why you should be here?
“Yeah.”
Is there a reason you weren’t on the field on the final drive of the game?
“I mean, it wasn’t my decision. Of course that’s every quarterback’s dream and that’s what every quarterback thrives for – those moments, so it wasn’t me. I was happy that (QB Tyler) Huntley got in and he handled his business. If anybody else would do it, it would be him.”
How was your oblique feeling throughout that game?
“Of course it’s always going to be a little bit tender, but it’s a non-factor for me.”
How would you say training camp and these two preseason games went for you altogether?
“Overall, it was great. Every day was a new day, every day you learn different things and life lessons that you learn in every situation. I’m coming out of training camp happy that I got the opportunity.”
WR Jamari Thrash
Last preseason game in the books, how do you feel about the total body of work heading into week 1?
“I think this was a good win for us going forward. Going into week 1 we’ll have some type of momentum. This is the start of a long season”
We saw all three quarterbacks today that are competing to start, how did those guys handle this one?
“Like they always do. I think they always do a good job of handling the situation no matter what time it is, or what quarter it is, they always come in and do a good job. They’re poised. Cool, calm, and collected under pressure.”
DE Alex Wright
In regards to the position battle, how do you feel about the work you put in, the down time, and in training camp?
“I feel very confident. I didn’t really try to focus on the starting position, they [coaches] will make that decision, so i just focus on myself. I’m not trying to worry about that. If I’m worried about that then I’m not worried about what I’m supposed to be doing. If I’m not doing that, then I could just kiss it goodbye. Just focusing on myself and getting back to who I was, and that was before I got hurt, being more dominant, and just trying to make plays. I feel like I’m in a good spot. I feel like I’m very confident. My confidence is through the roof actually right now. Just going out there day by day, taking it step by step, and just focusing on what I can do better in the present”
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