On if his relationship and familiarity with Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh and QB Joe Flacco gives the Browns any advantage:
"I don't think so. I really think, at the end of the day, it is the players. The players play. I don't play and John does not play. Joe does, but at the same time, he leads their offensive football team. They kind of know me a little bit – my thought process and my mindset – and I know theirs, but it is going to be our players against their players. That is how the game will be decided."
On Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs and his impact on the field:
"Terrell Suggs? Oh gosh, he is a tremendous player. Tremendous competitor, a leader of their organization and defensive football team. Sets the tone. My time being around Terrell was special because he is a true competitor. Loves the game. He is one of their very important pieces to their defensive football team because he is an emotional leader as well. Him being back I'm sure has given them a boost of energy, and you could see that last week in their play and in his play."
On how he feels about the new kickoff rules:
"Well I think we need to go through the year to evaluate it. I know what the data says right now, but I think over the course of time and the change in weather and all those things, when you take all that in to consideration I think it will be a little different. But I think it is too early right now to make a determination on if it is good, if it is bad. I think at the end of the year, like most things we do in the National Football League, when the year is over we will evaluate it again and see what is best."
On if the Browns players seem to be just as excited to play Week 2 with QB Josh McCown as the starter as they were to play Week 1 with QB Robert Griffin III:
"Oh, no question. I think that is the way we operate here. I don't think not having Robert – we would love to have him, I'm not saying that – but I think Josh has shown that he is very capable. I think it would be different if people had not seen Josh play here and he did not have the success at times that he has had here, I think it would be different. But I think we know what we are getting. I think they know what kind of leader and what type of person he is and how he prepares, and so I think the offense is excited to go out there and play with him."
On if the transition to the starting QB role has been seamless for McCown:
"We have given [him] not very many reps. He has taken some reps with the ones. For me, I think it is seamless. I think, you know, here we go. But again I do not anticipate there being any hiccups that way with him playing quarterback for us because I think, like I said, I think he has been in so many systems. This is not new for Josh, plus he has been here since OTAs, offseason program, OTAs, training camp and everything, so I think he has a pretty good feel of his teammates and what they are capable of doing, what they are not capable of doing. He will know how to lead those men on Sunday."
On his comments regarding RB Isaiah Crowell not yet 'being turned loose' and if the coaching staff needs to find a balance of using both him and RB Duke Johnson Jr.:
"I want to use them both. I think you have to have two very capable runners to make it in the National Football League. But when I said he had not been turned loose, we just have to hand it to him enough times. If you have a runner you believe in, you have to give him the ball. He has to get a feel for the game and be able to play within the structure of what you are trying to accomplish with the offensive line. That's why I said I take responsibility for that. I think he is off to a good start. We just have to give him opportunities to go show his ability."
On if he has gotten a sneak peek at the statue being unveiled for Hall of Famer Jim Brown on Sunday:
"I have not. I would love to, but I think that is a tremendous honor for Jim. Obviously, I have gotten very close to Jim and really respect his wisdom and his knowledge of this game. I can't think of a better person to put a statue of in front of our stadium. That is going to be exciting for the players, as well, and I know for me because I think he is so deserving of that honor."
On if he ever finds himself saying 'Wow, I am talking to Jim Brown here' when they converse:
"I do sometimes (laughter), I do. He is a very serious man. There is no B.S. to him. He is a very straight shooter, but so intelligent and has had so many different experiences. The things that he has imparted to me I will always treasure and remember about this game and about this organization and about his love and passion for the Cleveland Browns and for the city, for the fans. He is a walking Cleveland Brown, at the end of the day that is what he is. That shows all the time and that comes right from him. That is from his heart, and it is special that way."
On the upcoming alumni weekend and how his relationship has grown with Cleveland Browns alumni:
"It is going to be a special weekend because it is alumni weekend and I want to do even a better job. It has grown since I've been here. I think the guys have been more involved and able to come through and see our players and rub elbows with our players a little bit, but I want it to be even more than that because I think that is what is going to help us get this organization back to where it needs to be. We have to go back and grab some of the great times that have been here and understand what those were. You have to have something that you model yourself after, and I think it lies here within the history of this organization and some of the great players that have played here."
On how much of the Cleveland Browns history he shares with his players:
"I do share some. I think it is really important that our players impart that. (OL) Joe Thomas talked about that this morning with the offense. I think it is important for people to understand the dynamics of the two organizations and how it works and how it came about, the good and the bad, because I think they need to understand the history of it all. Joe did a really good job with the offense today. I will talk maybe a little bit more about it over this weekend. But you said it. A lot of these young guys need to do their homework that way to understand Jim Brown. You learn things every day if you just search and look. He was a Hall of Famer in lacrosse. A lot of people don't know that. We are talking about a two-time Hall of Famer. I think it was shocking for our guys to hear that a week ago. We try to do the best we can by having our guys understand how special this organization is and also what it has been through and at the same time understand that we are trying to make it new. We are trying to make our own mark here by how we work, how we play, how we win. I think that is important."
On if he is trying to get the message across to the team that Jim Brown is probably the greatest of all time:
"I don't think I need to get that across. I think that is pretty easy to see and proven. He is amazing. That is all I can say to all of you. I just know my time with him has been second to none for me. I think he has been more involved with our players. I think he has touched a lot of our guys here and I think that is sometimes more important than a lot of other different things that we talk about. It is just what he has meant to Cleveland, what he has meant to this organization, what it has meant to him. I just think it's special."
