WR Elijah Moore (9.29.23)
Just found out that Deshaun (Watson) is questionable. So just wondering what impact does that have on you as you head into this game?
“Yeah, we just heard the news too. I know it’s a questionable thing, but I guess that’s just a hemming coach type of decision. We got to focus on us. I got to prepare the same way I always prepare. I know everyone’s going to do the same.”
What is the confidence level in Dorian (Thompson-Robinson)?
“Like I say every week, he doesn’t have a choice to step in those shoes. At the end of the day, football is that type of sport. It’s always next man up.”
We had just got done talking to DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson). Just what have you seen from him as a young player, rookie coming in here? As far as his growth, he had mentioned, ‘hey, this is the first time I got to run with the ones this week at practice.’
“I know he’s excited. I know he’s a super consistent person. You see him in here, he does his diligence and I feel like we have all the confidence in the world if he were to do it – to step in. I feel like it would be time for him to spend.”
What did he show you in those preseason games that he played in, DTR?
“Explosive. He loves football. He plays with a lot of passion. Just an exciting player. He has the will to want to get better. I see him always talking to Deshaun behind the scenes so can’t be mad at that.”
It’s really clear these first early weeks, just how much they’re trying to get the football in your hands. One, what does that mean to you as far as being the recipient of that confidence? And then just secondly, how do you feel that those various ways have worked out? How do you feel that’s going?
“I feel like it’s going well. Trying to make the most of my opportunity, that I’m coming to work every single week. My best foot forward, whenever the opportunity presents itself for eight to be called, I try to do my thing. So I’m super excited about the opportunities. I think that I feel like I’m being used, how I want to be used and how I know I can. So it’s only a matter of time for everyone, not just myself, has a huge game. I’m excited.”
Watching game film, what’s your overall impression of the Ravens?
“Play hard, a group that’s been together. Just a really good football team overall. So can’t take them lightly.”
Is it hard preparing for a team that’s dealing with a vast amount of injuries that they are on that side? I know that it’s not your problem. They have to deal with it, but you got to prepare for it.
“That could be good for us. You see what I’m saying? So we focus on ourselves, though. So we take it day by day and focus on what’s going on in Cleveland Browns locker room.”
Your mindset of ‘that’s just football,’ is that how it’s usually been throughout your career? Just kind of taking and going as it is?
“Yeah, you have to. We got a long season. So you can’t look too far ahead. You can’t look in the past. Coaches’ (Kevin Stefanski), his main point of today was kind of just stay in the present. And I feel like that was perfect hitting on the head. I feel like we all got to just stay in the present.”
Kevin came out with those two misdirection plays on that opening series. It’s not something you see every day. You know what I mean? And even though maybe you guys didn’t have the success with those that you wanted, just what’s that tell you about him as a coach and maybe some of the potential possibilities?
“Exciting play calling and being someone that is in the offense, you just never know what’s going to come next. So I think as a playmaker, you can only look forward to what he has in his bag.”
How important is it for you to get early connections in the game and just kind of feel that confidence throughout the rest of the game?
“I love getting the ball. I feel like I can make an impact, so I’m not mad about it at all. I like getting the ball early, whatever it is, you get first play, whatever.”
How will it get with your connection with Deshaun..?
“Get in the groove? Yeah, I think seeing, as far as myself, getting hit, getting all that and then seeing him get completion just riles us up. So, yeah, I think it’s a good thing.”
Because you can’t replace all that Nick Chubb brought to the table, do you feel like maybe a little more is put on your plate as far as the running game goes? I’m not asking you to give the game plan away or anything like that, but just as far as expanding efforts. We did see you in the backfield and things like that, do you think might create opportunities for you now?
“Yeah, we got to stay ready for whatever. Not having Nick now, unfortunately, and everyone has to step up, even myself. Even the running backs, I know they’re looking at it as I got to take on more, so I know everyone’s looking to do more.
When you switch back and forth in those roles, do you have to change your mentality in between on the sideline between drives?
“You just got to be a dog. You go back there, you got to know you’re going to get hit or I’m trying not to get hit regardless. But you just got to know what it comes with. Being a running back isn’t slight. I’m learning to gain more respect for them as it goes. You definitely got to put the hard cap on.”
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