Cleveland Browns coaches and players comment on their upcoming game against the New England Patriots.
On playing the Patriots...
"I think that everything the Patriots and all that encompasses New England within their franchise is with how they do it consistently. Any chance you get to go up against competition like that it is a good opportunity to see what you are all about. We are excited about it."
- Browns QB Baker Mayfield
"We know we are playing the Patriots who are a great team and Super Bowl Champs from last year. We are going to come out here, and we are going to be the best Browns we can be, play hard, not make many mistakes and see where the game goes."
- Browns RB Nick Chubb
"I'm not going to try to fool them to think that, you know, we're going in to play a normal team. We're not going to play a normal team; we're going in to play the New England Patriots. They do a good job coaching, they do a good job playing, they do a good job doing their job, and anytime that happens, you're not going to go in and they're not going to beat themselves. So, it's very difficult to play against teams like that because their mistakes are going to be very limited. You have to make sure you don't beat yourself and make them beat you. And going back to the quarterback sneak, I do think there's a technique to it from a quarterback position, and I think Tom's [Brady] one of the best to ever play the game in that area."
- Browns Head Coach Freddie Kitchens
"It is a great challenge for us going up against a team like that, but we have to do our job. They are going to do everything they can to get us to not do our job well so we have to focus on that. Not worry about too much, focus on your job and do your 1/11th on offense, defense and special teams and go attack that each play. It is going to be a full fight, four quarters so we have to be able to do that."
- Browns QB Baker Mayfield
"They have a system. Unfortunately, it reminds me of Alabama in the sense of they have a system, they have guys who come in, they have guys who are wearing the same number from the past. They have the same style. They get fast linebackers coming off the edge, good corners and they just play as a team. Ever since I can remember, I have been watching (Patriots QB) Tom Brady. He is one of my biggest idols and somebody who I look up to. He has inspired me throughout my life. It has just been this way for as long as I can remember is this has been the team to beat. It has been the team that everybody has their eyes on because they are the best. (Patriots Head Coach Bill) Belichick has just done a phenomenal job over there in running it and getting the team exactly how he wants it. You are going to have to bring your A+ game. You can't beat them by making mistakes. They do not make many mistakes. They have few penalties. They play perfect."
- Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr.
"Obviously, they are the class of the NFL and have been for quite some time. Defensively, they rank first in the league in all the major categories. They have given up two touchdowns. In the red zone, they lead the league – they have given up one touchdown and one field goal. They lead the league in turnovers with 22 turnovers, 18 of those being interceptions. Plus-14 as a team in takeaway/giveaway. Of course, they are able to run the ball and throw the ball efficiently. (Patriots QB) Tom (Brady) is as good as he ever has been. Special teams, they blocked two punts for touchdowns. Offensively, they continue to put themselves in position to be successful. They get it to their playmakers, and they make the plays. We have a tremendous challenge. We have to continue to try to get better each and every day to give ourselves a chance to compete with these guys. They are what you strive to be in this league is consistent winners, play great complementary football in all three aspects of the game and I have not mentioned anything about the coaching and the coaching speaks for itself. (Patriots Head Coach) Coach (Bill) Belichick is a guy I have always admired in the way he conducts business, in the way he conducts his team and the success has followed. We have our work cut out for us. A tremendous challenge."
- Browns Head Coach Freddie Kitchens
On the Patriots defense...
"They obviously get a lot of points off their turnovers, but a lot of the turnovers are on the offense's negative side of the field so it sets up their offense for automatic points. They take advantage of that. They do a good job of playing complementary football. The takeaways and the points off of it is the biggest stat to me."
- Browns QB Baker Mayfield
"They are as good as their record indicates. You are what your record is, and they are 7-0. The numbers are one thing, but when you put the tape on and you see how they are getting pressure, you see how they are getting sacks and you see how they are getting interceptions, all that kind of correlates. There is no weaknesses on that side of the ball."
- Browns Head Coach Freddie Kitchens
On why it is so tough to play at Gillette Stadium*...*
"Obviously, they are a great football team. They have been a great football team for as long as I can remember. That has a lot to do with it. They do not really make mistakes. You can credit their fans or whatever, but teams go on the road and win in other people's place a lot of times. That just seems to be one place that teams do not go in there and be very successful."
- Browns WR Jarvis Landry
On Tom Brady...
"Yeah, like I said Tom Brady is the GOAT. I know we have done some GOAT cloning (laughter). I think there is something going on. He is not human to be playing the way he is still playing, mentally prepared every single game, decisive decisions and knows how to manage a game. Plays offense and defense with the way that he plays. He is just very smart. He is the best to ever do it. I do not think anybody could really argue it. He is just the greatest. I definitely want some of the water that he is drinking (laughter). I know for me, as well, we are all inspired to be like."
- Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr.
"You say you can get to him and sack him, but I think he is the fastest this year at getting the ball off and getting it out of his hands. You have to make sure that he is out there seeing ghosts (laughter), he is holding the ball, he is patting it and he is looking for other options, and you can have some time to get the ball out of his hands, strip him and get the ball to your offense."
- Browns DE Myles Garrett
On Jamie Collins...
"He's very active. Jamie's a good football player. He's physical, he can rush the passer. He's very versatile; he can cover, he can rush, he can play the run. So, Jamie's a good player. Jamie's been a good player for a long time."
- Browns Head Coach Freddie Kitchens
On Stephon Gilmore...
"His eyes are always in the right place. I think you combine that with his ball skills when the ball is in the air, he catches everything that comes his way and defends it well. DBs what makes them great is being able to play the ball while it is in the air, and he does that very well."
- Browns QB Baker Mayfield
" I would say he is probably top two or three corners in the league. Great feet. He is just playing at a high level. Easily one of the top three [cornerbacks] in the league."
- Browns WR Odell Beckham, Jr.
What ClevelandBrowns.com is writing about the Patriots
- Browns aiming to play mistake-free football, capitalize vs. Patriots
- Freddie Kitchens talks offensive line, Myles Garrett and more - Press Conference
- Odell Beckham Jr.'s respect for Bill Belichick, Patriots began as a young NFL fan
- Baker Mayfield excited to face Tom Brady but is more focused on matchup with vaunted Patriots defense
