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Opening statement:**
"It was humid today, wasn't it? Oh boy. That was a lot of fun. I'm very happy with our football team, our coaching staff. I'm really very happy with a lot of our veteran players because they really allowed our coaches to coach them. Starting from (OL) Joe Thomas, (LB Paul) Kruger, (DB) Tramon Williams, guys who have been in this league a long time, I asked them to just kind of follow the process and trust what we're trying to build here. When you have guys go all in, it's very easy to go out and compete and practice the way we did. From that standpoint, I'm very excited about where we're headed. Again, it was just another day, but we were able to finally kind of run into each other a little bit. That's what is going to take us to where we need to be. We'll be smart about it. We don't want to lose anybody, but at the same time, I think we all recognize and understand the hazards of playing in the National Football League. We'll be as smart as we can be, but we have to have some very spirited, physical practices as we move forward just to get our football team where I think we need to be and I thought the guys did a great job today."
On where the Browns performed on the 'toughness/gritty meter' during today's siren periods:
"Well, I think we're starting. It was a good first day. I don't like to make comparisons, but I think for our group, I think today was a good start, but more so than anything, I think our guys liked it and respected it. It's different. I know it's a little bit different than maybe what they've been accustomed to, but I think it's what it's truly going take for us to have a really good football team."
On if Browns players know when the live periods are coming or if they are unscripted:
"They're unscripted. They don't know when they're coming. They just can show up at any time. That's what the siren is for. I thought they responded well, and I thought they were excited about it. I think there was enthusiasm about it and I think they understand the purpose of it now."
On stepping up in practice when it appeared a QB was contacted:
"Nobody touches a quarterback. It's just that simple. We don't touch our quarterback, ever. The guy apologized. We have to do a good job at quarterback of making sure we take care of ourselves, too, but I don't want anybody around the quarterback that way."
On his first open practice with Browns fans in attendance:
"Outstanding. I really appreciate our fans hanging in there with the weather and sticking around and coming out. It's exciting to see them all. Obviously, I think our players really appreciate them being here and being a part of this. They bring great energy for our football team. When it gets a little tough, we can kind of look to the sideline and pick yourself up a little bit. I really appreciate the crowd and them being here, and they're truly our fans. They're totally into it, and I do truly appreciate it. I'm very grateful for them being here today."
On WR Terrelle Pryor, his long reception during practice and if locating the football is an area where Pryor is progressing:
"I think all of that is a work in progress for him. He made the transition from quarterback to receiver, but I think he's done an outstanding job. We've moved him from one side of receiver to another side so again, he's in another transition. He's handled it extremely well. I'm very proud of what he's doing. We've had three practices and he was able to make some plays today, but we have to continue to grow everywhere on our football team to continue to get better."
On if Pryor changed WR roles due to WR Josh Gordon's reinstatement:
"It wasn't so much about Josh. It's just you want to put guys in certain positions that you think is going to really help the football team. As you guys know, there are a lot of different things that we'll do with Terrelle because I think he's very talented. We'll just continue to find different ways to have him make a difference on our offensive football team."
On RB Isaiah Crowell looking quick on the turf yesterday and strong outside today and if he's 'turned it up' due to what he has been through during the past few weeks:
"I would hope that's not why. I think he's turned it up because he is a really good football player. He has some really unquestionable ability. I saw this in the spring so I'm not surprised by anything he does, but I think there's more there. I still think he has a lot more to give, and we're going to continue to get him better. (Run game coordinator/running backs coach) Coach (Kirby) Wilson has done a great job with him and (offensive quality control/assistant running backs coach) Rock (Cartwright) and (former Browns RB) Ernest (Byner) and Ernest (Byner), and I think he's beginning to see what he has the potential to be."
On OL Alvin Bailey at RT:
"He's played left tackle and now we have him playing right tackle. He's athletic. He's physical. He likes to kind of grind, but again, he'll be the first to tell you there are some areas he needs to continue to improve and get better. Eventually, when it's all said and done, we're going to put the best five guys out there for our football team to give us the best chance to win. He's one of them right now, but we'll continue to evaluate that group as we move forward."
On DB Jamar Taylor and what he's shown in practice and if he's another player receiving a fresh start:
"He's very talented. I've known Jamar from the past when he was coming out. The guy was a second-round draft pick. Sometimes, guys get drafted in places and maybe the environment is just not right for them. He's getting another opportunity, and I think he's let the past go and he's walked in here and said, 'Hey, I want a job.' He's competing every day. He's tenacious. He's tough. He's quick. He's sudden. He's fast. We have another good player to put back there in the mix for our football team."
On RB Malcolm Johnson walking off with a trainer after a hard hit during practice and his status:
"Yeah, I know. Obviously, he got dinged a little bit. He'll go into the concussion protocol, and we'll see where he is. That's just part of it. It's tough the first time you run up in there and get one of those, but again, that's part of it."
On his expectation to win and Jimmy Haslam's comment that a 'good season' could mean four, five or eight so long as the Browns show progress:
"Hey, he's the owner. He can say whatever he likes (laughter). I really respect that, but at the same time, that's just not how I'm built. I don't know what that number is going to be. I don't know if it's going to be four or 14. I don't know, but I know we're chasing and I don't want a number. I want our team to be the best we can be, and we expect to win and we're going to continue to work to win. We'll look back at the end of the season and count them all up – the Ws and Ls – but when they hired me, they told me my job was to in, so that's what I'm going to set out to do with our staff and our football team."
