(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
On LB Anthony Walker Jr. returning to practice and the energy Walker brings to the team:
“He brings a ton of energy. Just him being out there, he did the same thing during walkthroughs. You see him running into the huddle, ‘Oh, we have a new face.” A lot of energy. He is a smart guy who gets guys to play, and that is what you like on defense.”
On the importance of mentoring young DBs like CB Martin Emerson Jr.:
“Usually, safeties would say that to me, but he plays corner. Whenever I am on his side, he is looking at me like, ‘Talk to me. Talk to me.’ We do have a little working relationship. I feel like he is going to be a guy who contributes for us and plays a lot. I just want him to be in the right place at the right time. Obviously, he has the physical traits to be a really good player, but like I said, I want him to be in the right place at the right time mentally. The sky is the limit for him. I am just trying to do whatever I can do to help him.”
On the Browns’ depth at DB and how that benefits the team this season:
“Guys can rotate if we need to. If someone goes down, which we don’t want, the next man can just step right in and nothing changes. We have a lot of guys from last year coming back so that always helps. Like you said, just that depth provides stability in your mind. I can take a play off without having to worry, ‘Oh my gosh, are we going to give up a touchdown?’ You do not have to worry about that. I think it is good. We all push each other to be better. I think depth in our room is crucial.”
On the Browns defense’s performance during training camp, including with pads on, and the unit’s potential this season:
“I think just as we get closer to Preseason 1, we have to compete, and we have to push ourselves because on Friday night, it is going to be live bullets out there. We are trying to simulate what we are going to see. I do not know who is going to play – hopefully, everyone can get a little whack at it – but we just try to simulate that in practice. Like you said, the sky is the limit for the defense. We say in the secondary room that we want to be the best and No. 1. That is our goal. It is a realistic goal. It is attainable. Each and every day when we go out there on the practice field, we are just going to push ourselves to be the best.”
On chemistry between the Browns offense and defense seeming improved from last season:
“100 percent. I feel like we are a closer team. I think the most connected team usually wins. When you get down late in games, you need that extra little push and that extra chemistry with one another to get over that hump. I think like you said, offense, defense and core teamers, I think we are all gelling much better. I don’t know if it is because of COVID, but we are all in the same locker room now, and guys who I never talked to before – literally, we are on the same team and around each other every day – I might not have talked to them, and I talk to them now. I think that has spread across the whole team.”