WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (9.3.20)
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones:
On areas of improvement and if anything surprised him about training camp:
“I was just excited to get back with everything going on this year. It has been a crazy year so far. Just being out there, being around the guys and being on a team and in a good offense has just been fun for me.”
On the impact he can have in the return game:
“I love returning kicks and punts. I just want to be the best person I can be for the team, and if that is getting a chunk yard on punt return and getting chunk yardage on kick return, that is what I want to do.”
On his ability to play inside and outside WR and if that can be a challenge:
“I have just been trying to work on it. I have just been trying to be available, whether that is inside positions, outside positions or kickoff or punt return on special teams. Just trying to be available and trying to add value.”
On being around WRs Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry every day:
“You are getting a chance to look at some real pros, some guys have done it for a long time and guys who have answers to a lot of things that maybe other veterans would not have answers to. Just getting a chance to see them with their preparations for practice, prepping and everything that they do outside of the facility, it has just been inspiring.”
On if he was able to accomplish what he hoped in camp:
“Every day, I try to work on a few things to get better. It is an ongoing process. Every day, I look at the day before and see what you could have done better and try to improve that the next day. I think that I have just taken that approach every day and will continue to do that.”
On if he has a chip on his shoulder, considering former Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer said that he should have been a top-10 pick:
“Oh yeah, I definitely do [have a chip on my shoulder]. Like I said, I am just trying to be the best player that I can be and add value.”
On if he found out right away when Meyer made that comment:
“No, I did not find out right away.”
On how he found out about Meyer’s comment:
“Someone let me know.”
On what his role on offense may be during the season:
“Just getting in there whenever I can. Getting in there and helping. Utilizing what I have and going from there.”
On how tough it is to not have preseason games as a rookie:
“It is tough, but like with everything, you have to adjust. It has been a crazy year so far and a lot of adjustments have been made, and that is what we are going to continue to keep doing. I am using practice as preseason reps. When we do team in practices, it is kind of like a mock preseason game where all that stuff matters.”
On if he has been pleased by reception from Browns fans, even though played at Michigan:
“I do. I feel like they are excited for me to be here, and I am so excited to be here.”
On when he realized he could make an impact in the return game, including in high school:
“High school, little league, like I said, just having the ball in my hands more often than not started in little league and high school. Just getting back there trying to make a play in any way that I could.”
On if there was a moment he realized he had what it takes to be a returner:
“No, not a specific incident or anything like that. Just continued to work on it and it continued to just try to make plays.”
On his first impression of RB Nick Chubb:
“Very humble guy. Very hard worker on the field. You can just tell how much he loves football by the way he practices. It has been very inspiring to me just to see how he practices and how he finishes. Great to be around.”
On seeing Chubb continue to be selfless and put in the work every day:
“It sets the example. When he is in, I am watching him. I have players that I can watch when I am not in. I stay locked in and try to pick up little things from everyone.”
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