JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
Jaguars vs. Browns
Postgame Media Availability
Friday, Aug. 12, 2022
Q. How do you feel like it went for your starters on offense?
DOUG PEDERSON: I thought it went well for them. Yeah, a couple field goals early and the touchdown drive we ended with, I wish we would have finished the other two with touchdowns. But I thought for the first time they did some good things. It wasn’t perfect, but they did well on both sides of the ball.
Q. Could you tell by the third drive that they were more comfortable?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, and that’s why I probably played him a little longer than expected. I think 25 or 26 snaps, something like that. But I just wanted them to kind of feel the game and go back out. I thought that — because sometimes in camp, conditioning becomes an issue, and you kind of want to see those things. I thought they did really well with that, and just overall there’s some things to learn from. Obviously we can get better. But yeah, played well.
Q. How concerned are you with the run game?
DOUG PEDERSON: Offensively? I mean, listen, it’s still early. We’re trying a lot of things, doing a lot of things, seeing a lot of people. You don’t game plan a lot, so you’re not really focused on them as much as it is us. So not a concern at this point. We’ve just got to keep going to work and get better at it.
Q. What do you feel like was the high point tonight?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, the fact that we scored. I wanted to see execution. I wanted to see physicality up front with the offensive line, move the line of scrimmage, things like that, and end up either with kicks or touchdowns, and we did that. Those are all positives that we can build off of.
Q. The secondary got a takeaway tonight?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yes, the defense did that early in the game, and the flipside of that is we have to take care of the ball. That was kind of the difference in the game, the touchdown there or the interception that was just really ripped out of our hands right before half. And we had a nice gain there on fourth down and turnover — just things like that, just can’t happen. But yeah, it was good to see the defense get their hands on some balls.
Q. Travon (Walker) had a nice tackle on 3rd down early in the game, also two holding penalties. What did you see out of him?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, I think he’s doing well. It’s hard — I’m going to obviously watch the film and see it, but I think overall he did some really good things out there. He’s disruptive, and kind of picked up where he left off last week, and it’s good to see him and Josh Allen both out there at the same time.
Q. You mentioned game plan. Last week you didn’t plan for the Raiders in Canton. You said you didn’t do much now this week. Next week when you get ready for the game here against Pittsburgh, do you
almost treat that like a regular game where you’ve really got to implement what Pittsburgh is doing both offensively and defensively?
DOUG PEDERSON: You can a little bit to try to have some success on offense and defense. I still think it’s difficult, especially with the amount of players that both teams are playing this time of year. And obviously we have two games under our belt, where they’ll have one, so there’s not a lot to go off of. But you still want your team to have success going into the game, so you try to prepare them a little bit for what they may see. But again, it kind of just boils down to doing your job and how you’re coached and what you’re coached to do assignment-wise, and I think tonight, especially in the second half, we had a number of mistakes that cost us, and it hurt us at times.
Q. (Physicality) is that a focus of yours going into the season, that you really want to be physical up front and run the football a lot?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, I mean, yes. I did want to see the offensive line in the run game, and I wanted to see Travis in the run game just to see how we could handle that. I think you go into each game trying to establish the run, and sometimes you can either keep it going or sometimes you have to switch gears. But it was just, I think, a mindset for me to see that offensive line and Travis really be physical, especially early in the game.
Q. Are you going to be looking to utilize Travis in a number of ways, more of a weapon like he was used in college?
DOUG PEDERSON: Maybe.
Q. Defensively how do you think the group did getting pressure on the quarterback? DOUG PEDERSON: Did well. Did well. Early on I thought we did a nice job of putting pressure on Deshaun, and defensively — we had a couple chances for some turnovers early. We had (one), but I’m talking about interceptions there. But yeah, the front seven, I think, are going to be really good. Our 3rd down pass rush can be special. We’ve still got some work to do before we get to the season.
Q. That was the most extended time Travis (Etienne) has actually gotten in an NFL game. Without going back to the film, what did you see from him?
DOUG PEDERSON: It’s kind of interesting because I thought he did some things really well. He stayed disciplined in his path, in his track, and I thought maybe sometimes he got a little antsy and tried to make some moves that probably weren’t there. But that just comes with time, as you know, and he hasn’t had the time. These are valuable reps for him. He’s going to get better. He’ll watch the film either tomorrow or the next day and make the corrections. But I thought overall for the first time back out, it was good to see him and put him in those situations.
Q. Is that why it was important for you guys to see him out there?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yes. Yeah.
Q. The 32-yarder to Zay to sort of get things going, how did you feel about that play and how Trevor played in general?
DOUG PEDERSON: I think overall he played well. It was good to see. It was a good throw and catch. He made some other difficult throws, the 4th down to Evan, the touchdown was a good throw. But yeah, to start the game down the field, those two connecting, Zay being new to the football team, it was good to see. It’s something that we can continue to build on and build upon. You know, you bring guys like Zay on your team and Christian Kirk and Evan and those guys, offensively they’re weapons and they can just add
value to your football team with your Marvin Joneses, with your Agnews when he’s healthy, Laviska. It’s just another piece that we can utilize, and it was good to see them connect a couple times tonight.
Q. Was Christian close? Could he have gone?
DOUG PEDERSON: If it was a normal game, I think he would have been fine, yeah, but I didn’t want to put him out there and risk setback.
Q. When it comes to Trevor, how do you feel about his poise in this game?
DOUG PEDERSON: I think this guy is very mature, handles a lot of things well, doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low, stays pretty even keel. Yeah, it’s steady. Nothing is too big or too small for him, and handles it well.
Q. Will Richardson, is there any update on him?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, right now I think it’s an ankle again. It just got rolled up on. We’ll get further tonight. When the guys come in, I’ll have a better update on all the guys that got hurt tonight.
Q. Arden came out, too; is he (okay)
DOUG PEDERSON: He’ll be fine. I think he got poked in the eye.
Q. I don’t want to be the Debbie Downer, but the tackling second and third quarter especially, the second front seven (strugged) you’re going to have another heavy week, Monday especially. Is that some things that you’re prioritizing?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, we’ve got to tackle better, and some of these guys are fighting for roster spots. We know that. We don’t want them to put any added pressure on themselves, but at the same time when the plays come to them, we ask them to make the play, and tonight there was just a few of those that didn’t make the play. We just need to keep working at it. We’ve got a couple good practices coming up this week and we’ll emphasize that and make sure when we get to the next game that we’re better, we’re better in those areas.
Q. Seemed like Evan really showed off his athleticism on the touchdown. What were your thoughts on how he performed on that play?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, I thought he did well tonight. Not only in the pass game but the run game. That was just a well-executed play by our offense. Those are things you want to see from your offense in a 4th down scenario that scores the touchdowns there. It was good to see him and Trevor on the same page there. Evan is just a good athlete overall and gives us great value on offense.
Q. Last year I believe it was only two first quarter touchdowns. Even though it was preseason tonight, what did that say that they put up 13 early?
DOUG PEDERSON: Well, I think it’s a step in the right direction, number one. Teams — things I’ve studied over the years, too, is teams that score early and kind of build that lead in the first half tend to win games more than lose games. It’s just an aggressive mindset. It’s just focusing on doing our jobs and executing. We pride ourselves as a staff, we put together a first 15 (plays) for openers, and we try to score on those, maybe eight or nine, ten plays. It was good to see tonight. We did get a couple of field goals early, which was good, and then ultimately the touchdown there in the second quarter. Yeah, that’s something that we consciously make an effort to do, and that’s score early.
JAGUARS QB TREVOR LAWRENCE
Jaguars vs. Browns
Postgame Media Availability
Friday, Aug. 12, 2022
Q. What was it like playing with Travis Etienne Jr. again?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, it felt great. I think it’s the first time since that New Orleans game last year that we played together, and even that we were still trying to get used to just being in the NFL, all that. To be back, work the whole offseason, OTAs, camp, all that, and then to get to play together tonight, it was great. I thought he did a good job. Both of us, you’re still building, still working through some stuff and always things you can get better at, but I thought it was a good tonight.
Q. He said he did think a little bit about the old days for a brief time tonight. I wonder if that crossed your mind at any point?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: I mean, not necessarily that. I think just that relationship that we have really comes out, especially in the heat of the moment. We’re just really comfortable around one another. If I see something that he might have missed or vice versa, we can just talk to each other between plays and he’s always really, I guess, accepting of whatever I’ve got to say, if it’s a run play, stick to the gap or he’s got the bounce, whatever it is, just talking about it. He’s a great listener. I think he does a good job with all that.
Q. How important was it to get a touchdown in that final drive after field goals the first two? TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, that’s the goal, to end with a touchdown. Helps a lot when you can turn those field goals into touchdowns, get those extra points. For us to finish that way, we had two opportunities and didn’t really finish in the red zone, so it was nice to get that and finish the right way. I think overall we played pretty well those first three series. Like I said, there’s always some things to clean up and we’ll watch the tape and get better. But I thought the guys were ready, played fast, and that’s the biggest thing, guys were playing fast, getting open. I thought they did a good job.
Q. It seems like you and Zay Jones have been really clicking the last couple days and then tonight. What is it about him and his skill set that’s just made him such a big target for you?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: I just think his feel for the game. Also, his speed. He’s got good size, really fast guy, first play of the game, (he) kind of beat the guy over the top with a double move there. Just great. I think also, too, really physical with the catch. Similar to Marvin (Jones Jr.) in that way. I see those guys are really good going up, making the tough catches. And then just a guy that understands how to run routes, get open. They might not all look the same, but he’s going to find a way. I think he has a great feel for it.
Q. We know that you’re a guy who can throw it from the pocket, but we saw a lot of times tonight that you were getting the roll outs, the boots, the waggles. Are those play designs that really make you feel comfortable and make you feel like you have a chance to have success on the ground or through the air?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: For sure. I think that’s one of the things I think I did well is getting another move outside of the pocket, making plays, extending plays, but also designed nakeds, boots, whatever you want to call them, I think that’s something that I do well and that all of us do well, the receivers up front, tight ends, all those guys. I think it’s something that we’re going to keep building off of.
Q. I know we asked you about it on Monday, but seeing Travis back out there, knowing he’s coming off an injury but knowing he wants to go 100 percent, emotions for you seeing him back on the field tonight?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, it’s just great to see him back out there. It’s been a long time since he’s played. He’s had a rough year. Last year wasn’t the easiest year for anyone, but on top of that, he’s hurt and rehabbing and not really as much a part of the team as you’d like to be in your rookie season, so I know that was tough for him. But just seeing how he’s fought back and rehabbed really hard to get back and be 100 percent, and I think he looks great. He’s still kind of getting back in the, I guess, rhythm of things because he hasn’t played in so long, but just to see the plays he made tonight, that catch he made, ran a great route, catch he made on the sideline coming up the field, he had some great plays. He’s going to help us a lot.
Q. Is there anything you worked on during camp that worked well in the first quarter? TREVOR LAWRENCE: I mean, there’s a lot of things. You work on so many details every day, corrections from practice, all those things. But I think just you could see the communication that we’ve had through camp has been great. With all the skill guys. Up front, too, but specifically in the passing game. All the skill guys, we’ve communicated really well, so I think you kind of see we’re getting more and more in sync, and I’ve got a feel for when guys are going to slow down in a window, all those things. So I think you saw that tonight, and like I said, there’s always going to be things where you watch it and you’re like, hey, I want you to do this or I was expecting this, and you correct it. But I thought tonight we were on the same page for the most part.
Q. Consider it’s the first time the first-team offense played together, the cleanness of sort of all the operational stuff, no penalties, everything seemed to work right. Was that impressive considering it’s the first time?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, it’s great. That’s the first step is you can’t shoot yourself in the foot. I thought Coach (Pederson) did a great job getting the calls in, in and out of the huddle. There’s always going to be times when you’re kind of behind the play clock and you’ve got to speed up, and I thought throughout camp we’ve done a good job of working that and guys getting to their spot quick and being able to line up and go when we need to because you’re going to have to be able to do that. Tonight we had a couple of those that we had to do and execute and ended up having a positive play and then no false starts, holds, any of that stuff. That’s huge. You can’t hurt yourself.
Q. Was there anything you discussed on the sideline before your touchdown drive? TREVOR LAWRENCE: Not really. I missed Zay over the middle. That was probably the first one that sailed. Missed him over the middle, just probably a foot too high. We talked about it. I thought he did a great job adjusting his route, all that, so that was good to see, just missed him. And then a couple things down in the red zone. We had Evan I think down there on the 1. I threw to Laquon down low on the goal line and probably could have hit him in the back of the end zone. So a couple little things I missed, but just clean those up. That three-and-out, we want to eliminate. You get the ball on the 25 or 30 or whatever it was, and you want to be able to punch it in from there. I think that’s probably the biggest thing where we stalled out where we want to correct that is, let’s at least get down there tighter, let’s get a touchdown there when we’ve already got the ball plus 30. Other than that, finish strong, like we talked about earlier.
Q. I know in the preseason games a lot of coaches will tend to go for that 4th-down play instead of take the field goal, but do you think during the season you hope Doug gambles on those situations? TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, I think it just depends on the game, the score, the situation, all those things play into it. I know he’s the type of guy that will if need be. That’s great if you have that trust in one another where he trusts us to go get it and we trust him to call it in that situation. But it just depends on the game. If a field goal is going to work and that’s what you need to secure those 3 points, do it, but if we’re playing really well, then we’ll see where it goes. I think it depends on the game and the situation.
Q. I know the coaches make the final decision, but for next week, what are you anticipating as far as playing time is concerned?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, I try not to anticipate too much, just kind of prepare the same way, be ready to play the whole game. That’s what I did this week, I prepared the call sheet, the way I prepared myself, my communication with Coach Pederson and (Offensive Coordinator) Press (Taylor) and (Quarterbacks) Coach (Mike) McCoy, all them was just preparing everything like I’m going to play the whole game. We had more ammo than we needed because we only played a quarter, but still I think that’s good practice for everyone to prepare that way, so I’m going to do the same thing, and whether it’s a quarter, two quarters, three quarters, whatever it is next week, we’ll be ready to go, and just similar to tonight, let’s just execute, be clean and feel good about it when we come out of it.
Q. Trevor, the offensive line seemed to give you some good protection today, especially on that first play throw to Zay Jones. You had a lot of time to see that play develop. How do you think they’re performing, kind of a new look offensive line for you, and specifically Luke Fortner? TREVOR LAWRENCE: I think they did a great job. Really all camp they’ve done a really good job, just communicating. Got a rookie center. One, he’s done a phenomenal job of just learning the system, really smart guy. So he’s done a great job there. Then, like I’ve said, before, to have the (Brandon) Scherff and (Tyler) Shatley on both sides to help them out, two guys that have played a lot of football, that helps. I think just that whole group is really close and you can see it in the way they play, they communicate. Tonight, just really clean. As this goes on and we start the regular season, you’re going to see more complex game plans from the defense. With preseason it’s usually pretty vanilla, but still, just to see those guys protect well, and a lot of known passing situations you’re going to get guys’ best rushes, and held up great, so it was good to see.
Q. Not really specific to tonight’s game, but how difficult has it been or has it been difficult for you to learn this brand new system coming into this season as opposed to last year?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: I feel great with it, but I would say at first obviously there’s little things that don’t come easy when you’re learning the offense, but that was back in the spring when you’re learning it. We had plenty of time. I think the way that we installed it was great. Installed everything multiple times throughout different phases of OTAs and then into camp. At that point we had seen everything three or four times. They did a great job planning it from that standpoint, but yeah, I tried to get on it early really so a lot of time — definitely OTAs but especially camp comes around, I really know it well. There’s little wrinkles you’re changing and now it’s at the point where I’m adding more and more input of what I like or what I want on the back side of this or whatever it is. So I think we’re building it, and it’s been great. I really love the system.
Q. Earlier it was mentioned the big play that you had to start the game, the 32-yard pass to Zay Jones. As a quarterback how does it feel to be able to uncork a long one right out of the gate like that?
TREVOR LAWRENCE: Yeah, it felt great. We had that planned. First play of the game taking a shot, you want to execute it, get some momentum. Did a great job. Zay actually got kind of held coming out of the break, so it was good to see him fight through the contact and go make the catch. It’s always great when you can start that way, get some momentum, get on the ball and get them on their heels right away.
BROWNS HEAD COACH KEVIN STEFANSKI
Jaguars vs. Browns
Postgame Media Availability
Friday, Aug. 12, 2022
Opening Statement
Had a couple drops. Had 10 men on the field and special teams twice. So it looked like a preseason game to me — preseason game number one game to me at a bunch of moments. So there’s a ton to clean up. And that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to get back to work and work on the things that we fell short at tonight and then just make sure we keep progressing because this is really part of the progression part of the training is that game number one. So that’s in the books now. And then we’ll turn our sights to the next phase of training camp. And with that, I’ll take my questions
Q. Kevin, how do you think Deshaun did? Assess his performance in his first live action. COACH STEFANSKI: I think he probably wants some throws back. Obviously, playing football for the first time in a while, I thought it was important to get out there with his teammates in this scheme, just hearing a different voice in the helmet, those type of things. I’m sure he had the butterflies and the jitters early. But I think he understands there’s work to do
Q. When did you feel comfortable you were going to actually be able to start him tonight? COACH STEFANSKI: It’s just been something, Chris, that we’ve been talking about throughout the last months and weeks, just trying to figure out what the best path forward was for not just our quarterbacks but for the entire team and just thought getting him some time out there in a game setting made sense in this preseason
Q. Kevin, do you think the drama of his case affected his play, the uncertainty, the — COACH STEFANSKI: I don’t think so, Tony. I don’t.
Q. Did it impact Deshaun’s play that the offensive starters weren’t in the game? COACH STEFANSKI: I don’t think so, Mary Kay. We just have to be better as an offense early. They had a bunch of players that they don’t play either. So I don’t look too much into that. It’s just — you know, it’s our first game out there. And I think you could tell. You know, I think Jacksonville had one game into it. So for us, just to knock some rust off and then get back to work.
Q. How does Nick Harris look?
COACH STEFANSKI: Knee injury, Tony. We’ll get an MRI tomorrow, and I’ll be able to update you tomorrow.
Q. When you decided Deshaun was going to play, did you decide Jacoby Brissett wouldn’t? COACH STEFANSKI: Yeah. Jacoby starting week one. That’s how we’re operating. We’ll get him work in game three. But felt like it was the right thing to get Deshaun in game one.
Q. Will Jacoby Brisssett get more this week in practice?
COACH STEFANSKI: Yes.
Q. Deshaun looked pretty sharp in practice, so were you kind of surprised?
COACH STEFANSKI: No, Mary Kay. I think, again — I think this was important for him to get out there in a game setting, under the lights, with new teammates and go operate. It wasn’t going to be perfect. And even if it was perfect, you can’t overreact to that either. So I just think it was all part of the progression for him.
Q. In terms of beforehand, he came out and issued, basically, his first apology. So what does that tell you about the situation?
COACH STEFANSKI: Yeah, you know. I’ve been around Deshaun now for a few months, and I know he wants to grow. I know that he does. And that’s personally; that’s professionally. And I think he’s very, very serious about doing that. And I think that’s part of that next step for him.
Q. Do you think that he’ll play in future preseason games?
COACH STEFANSKI: Yeah. We’ll see when we get there. Not ready to say just yet.
Q. What about Jerome Ford?
COACH STEFANSKI: Yeah. I thought, Tony, he’s — really, the rookies in general, I was pretty pleased with them. You know, with M.J. making that play. Cade was good tonight. And then Jerome on that great — had a couple great runs and then lost the ball unfortunately there in that play. But up until that moment — I mean, he made a great catch. He’s fighting for extra yards. It’s just — a young player has to know when they’re coming for that rock, especially when you’re fighting for extra yards. But I would tell you, Tony, that what I saw in that game is very consistent with what I’ve seen at practice.
Q. Where was Deshaun’s first pass going?
COACH STEFANSKI: It was going to Anthony. Yeah.
Q. And did he just seem like he was too hyped up?
COACH STEFANSKI: I don’t know. Again, I think for all these guys, depending where you are in your career, these rookies got the butterflies. Some of these veterans that are playing in it. And then Deshaun, having not played in 20 weeks, I do think there’s an element of — call it, you know, jitters or whatever it is. So I think it was important for him to get out to there. He calmed down. Calling plays in and out of the huddle, getting the guys directed. Even going down and sitting on the bench and having communication with the coaches. All of that is, in my opinion, part of the process in bringing him along.
Q. Do you regret that Deshaun wasn’t able to sustain a drive?
COACH STEFANSKI: I really don’t, Mary Kay. And I would tell you, if it went the other way and they went right down the field and scored, again, it’s all part of the process. These games — they’re keeping score, so it’s important. We want to win them. But it’s like taking the practice field to the game field is how we approach it.
Q. What about Joshua Dobbs?
COACH STEFANSKI: Yeah, I thought Josh did a really nice job there with that group. Again, he’s operating. I think he does a nice job in and out of the huddle, sees it very clearly. And I think his athleticism really showed up. Certainly had a couple scrambles. Had a touchdown where he had a free runner right in his
face going to his left, extended the play and dumped it over to Jerome. So an impressive performance by Josh.
Q. How about Nick Harris? He’s had such a nice camp and you guys have been so excited about him. COACH STEFANSKI: Yeah. Really, really disappointing. I think the MRI will tell the story there. But you don’t — nobody wants to see anybody get hurt on either side of the ball, for the opponent or yourself. It’s just – – it’s the nature of this game, and nobody likes it. But we’re hoping that we get good news with an MRI. But we’re still excited about Nick.
Q. Ethan slid over there and then took Nick’s spot. Assess the way he did.
COACH STEFANSKI: I’d have to look at it to give you a real good answer to it. But he’s a veteran that’s played a lot of football. So he has a good understanding of what we’re trying to get done being that he got here in the spring. But he’s a very smart kid.
Q. Kevin, was there any point since you’ve been in Jacksonville that you didn’t think you’d be allowed to play Watson?
COACH STEFANSKI: No. Not for me. But I was — I just wait for somebody to tell me something different, Tony. And I just operate with the information I have.
Q. Did Deshaun say anything to you about his three series about pushing the tempo? COACH STEFANSKI: No, no. Yeah. Again, I think all of us at every position would love to come out and put up 100 and hold them to 0. But this is, again, all part of the process for us. We’re making mistakes. It’s sloppy. And now it’s my job and our job to get it cleaned up.
BROWNS QB JOSHUA DOBBS
Jaguars vs. Browns
Postgame Media Availability
Friday, Aug. 12, 2022
Opening Statement: Jerome [Ford] did a great job at the scramble drill. Once you get on the edge, he hit the flat, he did a great job allowing the defender to be in no man’s land where at some point he had to step up and play the quarterback or he had to stay with him. And then, honestly, when I threw it, I knew he was going to catch it. And when he caught it, I was like, I am probably like 5 yard past the line of scrimmage. But I wasn’t. Great play on his part bringing it in. And it was great to be able to use my athleticism to make a play on the edge.
Q. It was a fun catch.
JOSH DOBBS: Yeah, it was.
Q. How do you know he’s going to catch that?
JOSH DOBBS: Trust, trust, practice. We’ve gotten a lot of practice reps. He’s done a great job in those reps of, one, running the ball as he did tonight but also, you know, being in the right spots in the pass game. It’s a quarterback’s best friend when you’re able to look down field and get a deep zone coverage and your back is in the right spot, has good hands. We saw him make some guys miss, too, as well. So just trust. Put him in a position to make a play, and then he’ll do the rest.
Q. It seemed like you were able to settle down the team. You were on the field after a real shaky three series there before you. How did you do that? How did you calm everything down? JOSH DOBBS: Yeah. You know, we just looked in the guys’ eyes and just told them one play at a time. It’s the same recipe we’ve been doing in practice for the last couple weeks. So just take it one play at a time. If we do that, we’ll get back in the game. We’ll move the ball. The O-line did a great job up front taking over the line of scrimmage. I think once we were able to rely on the run game and the running backs, our receivers then were able to get one on ones outside and make some plays and we were able to move the ball efficiently up and down the field.
Q. Josh, it seems like the offense that they’re running here is a good fit for you. Do you feel that way? JOSH DOBBS: Yeah. I enjoy it. I enjoy it a lot. It’s a QB’s best friend when you’re able to get on the edge, use our athleticism right and put the defense in difficult situations. We do a great job with our various sets and making a lot of things that we do in the pass game look like run, a lot of things run game in the pass game. You know, they just complement each other really well. So it’s fun as a quarterback to see that. We have a lot of really good players as well, and that helps. When they’re able to run the ball effectively, you get 1 on 1s with your running backs on linebackers. You get 1 on 1s outside with the receivers. And it’s fun to be able to get the ball in the playmakers’ hands and let them do what they do.
Q. What was the conversation on the sidelines in between series for Deshaun Watson and even leading up to the start for him?
JOSH DOBBS: It was smooth. You know, I think all of us were just excited to get back on the field and wanted to play football. And once we got back in the football environment, right, where you’re in the game, coming to the sideline, you’re going to the tablets, you’re looking at the plays, looking at the looks, it was really smooth. Obviously, we’re all new in this QB room. So we’re all getting a feel for each other, like how we enjoy coming over to the sideline, breaking down the defense, you know, what we like to talk about, even the little things like throwing in between drives. So that’s what’s great about these early games to kind of get in that flow, get in that rhythm. So, you know, once the season comes, we’ll hit the ground running no matter who’s in the game.
Q. Speaking of who is in the game, Jerome Ford, for a rookie, what did you see out of him? JOSH DOBBS: I told him he shouldn’t have got caught on that long run. He said my legs went dead. I was tired. The Jacksonville heat caught up to him. But it was fun to see him out there play. You know, a lot of the young guys were commenting, obviously, with it being their first NFL game, you know, they have that anxiousness and anxiety that we all have when we first get into the league. So it was great to talk to them before the game and tell them at the end of the day, it’s just football. You go out. You trust your reads, your preparation. You’ll go out and play well. It was good to see them, you know, step into the game and do that and then play at a high level, especially with Jerome making plays out of the backfield, in the pass game and in the run game.
Q. Josh, you’ve been on a lot of teams. How do you think this team is handling all the uncertainty? JOSH DOBBS: You know, I think they’ve done a great job of keeping the main thing the main thing. That’s all you can do. You’ve got to focus on what you can control. And when you’re in the complex and we’re talking ball, talking football, trying to figure out how we’re going to be the best team in the NFL, it takes that extra level of focus. Because there’s 32 teams. Everyone has their own distractions, right? But at the end of the day, no one really cares. They only care about the final score. We’ve done a great job of locking in when we’re in the complex, focusing on the main things, keeping the football the priority and preparing and taking advantage of our opportunities when we get on the field.
