DL Myles Garrett:
On his mindset preparing to face Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger for the first time:
"Mindset is the same as it would be any other week. I want to get to the passer. I want to make plays. I want to be dominant. I know that the D line wants to do the same things. We are all on the same page. We have a plan to get there and keep them from dominating the game and to go out there and enact that."
On how much better this year's Browns defense is compared to last season:
"A lot better. Leagues is better. From the back end to the front, right now, I think we have the total package. Just have to go out there and prove it."
On if the Steelers are preparing to specifically stop him:
"Probably. I have to go out there and show that I am actually a threat. Maybe after a couple of rushes, maybe me getting back there or us getting back there, they may have to turn my way or turn to whoever is really getting there. I plan on getting back there a little bit."
On if he had to be convinced to shred the picture of Roethlisberger in the team's parody of The Office:
"Just a joke. I am here to have a little bit of fun and play some football. It goes along with what I am trying to do so I had no problem doing it."
On how much better he is compared to this time last year:
"Going from injured to healthy, that is leaps and bounds. I am able to cut better. I am just better overall. I am better able to use my strength and able to balance and use my quickness. I am going to be able to put that on display."
On pass rushing benefits with an improved Browns secondary:
"You can just see it. You feel a little bit of it on the field, but you see it more when you are sitting down after the game watching film. You see him look one way, he is about to throw it, he resets and then he looks the other way. By then, we are collapsing the pocket and we are right up on him. We did not get that too many times last year. That just shows that we are putting the right guys in place for us to be affective in the pass rush to be able to get there."
On if he has received feedback from the Steelers about the picture shredding:
"I have not gotten any feedback. I hope that they bring it up a little bit. That would probably be a little bit funny. I just hope to have a good game. It is competitive. It is hard-nosed. They come out here and do not take it easy on any of us because we are not going to do the same for them."
On how much he respects Roethlisberger:
"He is a multiple-time Super Bowl champion. He has played on a high level consistently for years. You have to be able to respect greatness when you see it. I just have to seize the opportunity to usurp in that position. You have to be able to respect it, but do not be afraid of it and do not be afraid of that moment."
WR Josh Gordon:
On returning to practice Monday:
"It was great. It was really fun. I am really excited. It is a great atmosphere. I love it. It is awesome."
On if there is any rust returning to practice:
"No, I am going as much as they tell me to go. If they tell me to sit out for a period, I do as I am told. It is just great being in the atmosphere. Fortunately, I know the plays already so it is really good to take the mental reps and physical reps as much as I can do. I try to take advantage of it."
On ability to build on chemistry with QB Tyrod Taylor from the offseason :
"Yeah, I think so. We did a lot of working out in the offseason outside of here away from here on a consistent basis. I got a real good feel for where he likes to put the ball on certain routes. I think he has a feel for gauging my speed and where he can anticipate me to be. He is really picking up off like exactly where we left off. It seems like there is no hitch in it at all. Even at walkthrough, he is consistent. It is awesome honestly."
On if he will have any limitations on Sunday:
"No, I told you I would be 100 percent. I feel 100 percent today, and I will be 100 percent Sunday."
On RB Duke Johnson Jr. and his ability as a playmaker:
"I think bringing in the dynamic of and having (offensive coordinator) Coach (Todd) Haley and the familiarity will help us pass the ball to the running back with Pittsburgh. I think he fit in well. Just knowledgeable on how to get running backs involved. Duke is that flex, hybrid player and he has some of the best hands on the team. He fits in well with the three running backs that we have. We really just has to see what Todd wants to do week to week with it, but Duke is not short on talent by any level. I am excited to watch him play."
On if he still believes he can make a big splash like mentioned during minicamp:
"I think the biggest piece of it is making sure I am locked in and know what I am trying to do as an individual, as a player and as a teammate going forward. First and foremost really – personal stuff aside – I am thinking of getting a win and how can I help my team get a win this Sunday. At the most crucial point of the game, what can I do to help put us over the edge if I am needed? I really just want to get a win."
QB Tyrod Taylor:
On the Steelers:
"Very athletic group across the board at every position. It is going to boil down to us making sure that we are detailed in our execution, and of course, protecting the football and establishing the run to get everything else going. A very talented defense that we are going to face. It is going to boil down to our execution."
On familiarity with the Browns' record in season openers since 1999:
"I have not really paid attention to that. You understand and respect what happened before, but at the same time, I was not a part of it. I will do whatever I can to help put this team in a positon to win. That is starting with the process the last couple of days, just getting ready and getting everyone else on board to compete at a high level."
On if there is extra significance for the season opener compared to other games:
"It is definitely an important game for us. Going against the Steelers is like two games for us. We definitely understand how important this week is, but it is also Week 1. We have to continue to keep that mindset each and every week and just put our best foot forward as far as practice goes and go out and execute on gameday."
On the importance of the Browns winning early in the season after not winning a game last year:
"It is very important – very important for our success this year. Not necessarily because of what happened last year but for us to be the team that we want to be, winning Week 1 and having multiple wins throughout the year is definitely important for us to get to where we want to go."
On the left side of the Browns OL:
"In house, guys are confident with what is going on at the left tackle position. We have tremendous confidence in everyone's ability to go out there and play at a high level. We will just continue to keep working and get ready for the game."
On if it possible to put 'too much emphasis' on the first game:
"It is an important game, but every week is important. Of course, you want to start off on the right foot. That is what we are looking forward to doing this weekend."
On sensing how much beating the Steelers means to Browns fans:
"For sure. You hear it all throughout training camp. If there is one team that they want to beat, it is definitely Pittsburgh. We have to have that mindset each and every week as a team, but we definitely understand what it means to the community and the people who are supporting us. Not only for them but for ourselves because we put the work in, we definitely want to go out and have a good performance and a winning performance – on Sunday."
On understanding the AFC North rivalries from his time with the Ravens:
"Absolutely."
On which aspect of the Browns offense gives him the most confidence:
"Running the football, as well as passing the football, I think that we have made tremendous strides throughout training camp and the preseason in both areas. The offensive line has done a great job in pass blocking, as well as front blocking. The more that we can go out there and let our playmakers make plays and do the things that they are comfortable with, the better off we are as a team."
On the opportunity to start a new season with the Browns:
"It is a wonderful opportunity. It is not about me. It is a team effort each and every week, each and every day. I recognize the opportunity, as well as the team recognizes the opportunity, to change the culture here. We have the perfect opportunity this weekend."
On sensing what a season-opening win would mean to Browns fans:
"Yes, we know that it would mean everything to them. Just walking around town – I was in the grocery store yesterday, and you hear people talking about the game, pumped for the game. I definitely understand the excitement. I am excited, as well. Football season, the regular season is back here. We get a chance to go and compete against teams where it counts. I am excited, as well as the team is excited."
On the value of offensive coordinator Todd Haley's time with the Steelers with game preparations:
"Very valuable. Of course, he was with those guys for the past six years. He knows the scheme in and out, as well as personnel, but it really boils down to our execution. With all of the knowledge and information thrown to us, if we do not go out there and execute well, then that means nothing. Each and every day we are working hard to get everything on the same page so we can go out there and play the game the way that we know how."
On if Sunday's game will be personal for Haley:
"No comment (laughter). You probably have to ask him. I wouldn't say no comment. You should ask him."
On the Browns developing chemistry:
"Very pleased with how the team is coming along. The next step is winning together and taking on the challenges of the season. We have battled the dog days of camp as we go into the regular season understanding that there are going to be ups and downs through the season. How we weather those ups and downs is definitely going to bring us together even more. Looking forward to seeing how guys respond and react to the different circumstances that we face each week."
On helping develop the Browns' three rookie WRs:
"Part of it is on them and part of it is on us. Of course, the guys who are playing, we have to prepare ourselves mentally and physically each and every day to play a game on the weekends, but they also have to take ownership, as well as learning and doing what it takes to speed up the process for them to go out and compete at a high level. Of course, it is a collective effort as far as getting those guys on board and getting them on board and on the field. It will come. I am not sure how fast it will come, but it will definitely come."
On his chemistry with WR Josh Gordon:
"I think the chemistry is a good one right now. I think it is going to continue to keep building. I know he is excited to get out here and play, as well as we are excited to have him back on the team and contribute for us. I am excited about it."
On what kind of role Gordon can have:
"He can have a big role. Of course, he is a playmaker, a very big playmaker at that. It does not take many balls to touch his hand for him to make big plays. When the opportunity presents itself, definitely have to give him chances to go out there and make plays and put up points for this team."
On Head Coach Hue Jackson's decision to not start Gordon this week:
"I am always behind head coaches' decisions, as well as management decisions. They are always going to do what is best for the team, and I support that."
On if his left, non-throwing hand injury sustained against Philadelphia will affect his play at all:
"No, I have not had any setbacks with the hand. It feels great now so I do not expect anything to hold me back as far as that."
On what makes the Steelers a good organization based on his experience with the Ravens:
"Of course, they are rich in tradition, had a bunch of winning teams over the years and a bunch of good players as well, too. Hats off to those guys for being able to win the games that they have had over the past couple of years. I would say just hard-nose football, a very physical team. Walking into the stadium, you have to out-physical them to have a chance, and if you do not do that, then your chances are very slim."
On Steelers' RB Le'Veon Bell not yet reporting to the team and if it impacts the team's preparation:
"We are aware of it, but it is not anything that we are monitoring. We have to be ready to compete against anyone that they put on the field. Of course the type of playmaker that he is and what he brings to the game, then you have to prepare a little differently when he is out there. No, personally I am not keeping up with it and I do not think the team is either."
On Steelers DT Cameron Heyward:
"He has a high motor. He is very physical at the line. He does a good job of being persistent in his rush, as well as fighting off blocks to get to the right. We have to be detailed in our approach with him and handle him appropriately."
On his reaction to Nike's ad campaign including QB Colin Kaepernick:
"I just saw it this morning so I am really not fully aware of what is going on. That is their decision. I'm a Nike client so I really do not have anything to speak about it. Like I said, I do not know much about it right now to speak in detail."
On external perceptions the Browns can't win Sunday's game due to the teams' records last year:
"Can't speak about last year. Both teams are different, and both teams are 0-0 right now. In my eyes, it is a fair shot for both teams, and we have to approach it that way and handle business throughout the week so we can go out and play winning football."
On if he also sees the game as a personal competition with Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger:
"No, I focus on executing and doing whatever it takes to get the offense in a position to win each and every week. Regardless of who we are playing, our focus is executing against their defense."
DL Chris Hubbard:
On how important it is to win the season opener after the Browns finished 0-16 last season:
"To be honest, it will mean everything to the city and to us to get this first game, this first win out of the way and just keep stacking them after that. That is what we are here for, and that is what we are here to do – win games. We are not here to lose."
On not having to be asked the question about winning a game if the Browns win the season opener:
"Exactly so we just have to keep going."
On if he feels extra motivation from teammates to win and get 0-16 off of their backs:
"I think everybody is ready for that win and to keep continuing to get the wins. There has been a lot of talk about it, but we are trying to put that behind us and that is in the past. What we have to focus on now is the future, and that is getting better each week in and each week out."
On his time playing for Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin:
"It is fun. He is a players' coach. He is always going to be around the guys. Definitely, he is always disciplined. He is always a disciplined guy. He is smart. He knows what he is talking about. He is there for a reason."
On there not being animosity toward the Steelers not keeping him due to structure and teams' cap space :
"That is right. There is no animosity there. I wanted to play, I wanted to start and then I get to help my family out tremendously. It is a blessing to be here and to help this team out as much as possible and my hand is in the pile."
On if Steelers' RB Le'Veon Bell was himself last season when he returned to the Steelers shortly before the Week 1 game:
"I can't even speak on that. I just know he was there with us, and he helped the guys get that win when I was there."
On his impressions of Cleveland or if he hasn't had a chance to learn much about it, given some compare it to Pittsburgh:
"No, I know a lot about it. Everywhere I go, people recognize me, and they say, 'Welcome to Cleveland. This is still a big city for us, and we love the Browns and everything.' It is the same fan base here as it is in Pittsburgh. They are crazy as much as possible (laughter). They show love. That is one of the big things. You know you get interactions off of Instagram, Twitter, all your social media and stuff like that. The fans are really good here."
