On NY Jets QB Sam Darnold being ruled out and potentially missing multiple weeks:
"I just saw that right before we headed out to practice. Unfortunate news for Sam. I hope he gets healthy. I have never had [mono] – knock on wood – but I know it is not a fun process just laying around and not able to do anything."
On rallying around DE Chris Smith following the passing of his girlfriend:
"Devastating news to hear about Chris going through an accident and losing his girlfriend. That is one of our brothers. Very unfortunate. All we can do is support him and be there for him."
On the closeness of the team and if that is what the team can lean on during difficult times:
"Absolutely. Especially what happened last week and then the events that we have had happen, it is just coming together. Realizing it is just, us and that is what we need to focus on."
On if he was looking forward to a rematch against NY Jets QB Sam Darnold, particularly since they were drafted in the same round:
"I look forward to any competition. Obviously, it is unfortunate that Sam is not able to play. It is about us right now and going out there and competing."
On facing former Browns and NY Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams:
"Obviously, Gregg was here so we are all familiar with him. It presents challenges. We are sure that he has some stuff waiting for us and surprises here and there. We will be ready for anything."
On Williams enjoying blitzes and if he relishes opportunities to face those challenges:
"Yeah, if we can get on the same page and be able to get the ball out, protect and push the ball the ball down the field. Whenever you are playing a team that blitzes, different things and exotic stuff, you have to be on the same page. That is important for us this week."
On if there is more motivation this week facing Williams:
"No, we are playing the Jets."
On what his relationship was with Williams last year when named interim head coach:
"He was our head coach for the back half of the season. A few meeting with Gregg just about defensively what they were thinking, and what we needed to do on offensive. Gregg is the same mindset guy every week so we knew what to expect out of him. We know this one means a lot to him."
On what he has he seen in practice to know the Browns will not repeat the penalties from last week:
"The fact that we can go back to work and fix the corrections."
On playing with WR Odell Beckham Jr. last Sunday:
"It was good to have him out there full speed. Obviously, we did not win so we have to make some changes and get the ball down field and in the end zone."
On if the Browns embrace the chance to bounce back on the national stage of Monday Night Football:
"It would not matter the stage, but that does make it a little bit more exciting for our guys knowing that we have a lot of people counting us out and we are going to take it one game at a time. On Monday night, no better way to do it."
On the resiliency to bounce back, specifically referencing last year's Texans game:
"Something important for a QB is a short-term memory. Just putting that behind you and making corrections. We have fully made changes and now I am going to have my eyes in the right place and do the right thing."
On memories from last year's win over the NY Jets:
"The energy in our stadium. For us, it will be different on the road. It presents some tough challenges, and playing on the road one – it is the first road game we have this year and then also playing against a familiar face who has been around Freddie and been around some of the guys in this locker room."
On if he was holding onto the ball too long last week:
"Definitely holding on to it. Get rid of the ball. We can be better overall as an offense. It ultimately comes back on me. I need to get everybody on the same page."
On if he was worried about his wrist Sunday night:
"It looks good."
On if NY Jets C.J. Mosley appears to have an even bigger role in the defense than with the Ravens last year:
"It is a different role. Knowing what Gregg does with his defense, the MIKE has a lot of control of what they do communication wise and getting people lined up. The Ravens last year, they were just completely different. They had a bunch of different veterans that lined up. They did so many different things whereas Gregg, they rely on that linebacker in the middle to get everybody lined up."
On if the NY Jets defense is similar to the Browns defense last year:
"It is always a little different just because the personnel is different. I think whenever you have a different team, you try and call plays to their strengths."
On the play early in the fourth quarter where the Browns could have potentially had a big gain but missed the opportunity, given a holding penalty:
"We just have to eliminate negative plays. If I am able to set up and throw that ball, I am not going to take a chance rolling completely right in front of the ball that would be probably a 50-yard throw in the air. Trying to eliminate negative play. That is when you get behind the chains and you are not helping yourself out."
On if the Titans taking away some of his first reads leading to sacks:
"I would not necessarily say that. I would say just getting the ball out and knowing that we have to have answers for what they are doing. When we ave all of our guys out there, teams are going to play differently so have an answer for whatever coverage they are going to bring."
On if there is a temptation at times to wait for Beckham to get open:
"Yeah, there are definitely certain plays where we want to get the ball in his hands and we draw enough to do so, but I think it is very important for me to do my Day 1 reads and trust that the guys we have out there."
On NY Jets S Jamal Adams:
"Jamal is obviously a very versatile player, a great leader for that team not just the defense. He is able to do a lot. A big, physical safety that that can move around, too. He is a guy that changes the game so you have to konw where he is."
On if not having WR Rashard Higgins deterred the Browns in the second half:
"No, obviously, we would love to have him in there. He had a lot of reps of what we were doing, but that is why we say next man up. We expect (WR Damion) Ratley to be able to do the same things. He is just comes right in there with no hesitation."
On his messages to T Greg Robinson this week after the ejection and hurting the team:
"He knows that. He knows what happened that. He can feel that. He is going to be hard on himself, and he knows we are counting on him. That is kind of one of those things better left unsaid. He knows we are counting on him. He knows that we need him out there and we want him out there."
On favorite part of playing night games:
"The lights give a different energy. It will be my first Monday night game so it will be fun."
