The Browns have made six selections to this point in the draft. They are all expected to contribute something to the team this year. Here’s what they had to say about joining the Browns.
RB Trent Richardson
(On his reaction to becoming a Cleveland Brown)- “Just to let you know how I’m feeling, I haven’t been able to sleep. I am just so excited to be here. I love the feeling. All of the great running backs that have come from here, to try to follow in their footsteps and make a name for myself is going to be big.”
(On being in Cleveland)- “Just being here is an honor and a pleasure. To be a part of this tradition that they have here with these great running backs that they have had here and to try to make a name for myself is going to be big. I have a lot of respect to earn and I have a lot to prove. It is going to be a challenge for me and more of a big opportunity for me, especially around this community.”
QB Brandon Weeden
(On his reaction to being drafted by the Browns)- “It’s a honor. This is obviously a great organization. I am sure Trent can attest to this, to hear your name called on that night is pretty special. I think it really is. It is a dream come true for all of us and to be a part of a great organization like this is truly an honor. I think he can tell you, we’re ready to start playing football. We have been doing all of this others stuff, traveling and doing other stuff, we are ready to line up and play some football. It’s a lot of fun.”
OT Mitchell Schwartz
(On if he prefers the left side or the right side)- “Obviously if you go to Cleveland, Joe Thomas is the left tackle, so probably right now a little more right tackle. Honestly, I’m pretty comfortable with both, like you said I’ve played both in my career, so I’m comfortable doing either. I know Cleveland has probably the best left tackle in the game, so I understand my role in regards to that.”
(On if he knows Browns center Alex Mack)- “Yeah, I played with him. My first two years at Cal were his last two. I’ve stayed in contact with him throughout the process and talked to him a little bit. I’m sure I’ll get the full scouting report on Cleveland. It’s definitely going to be good to have a former teammate there. It’s always good when you know someone going into a new situation.”
DT John Hughes
(On what he feels he can add to the team) – “I think I can be a great addition to the team. Anyway I can help the team, anyway they ask me to help them, and I will be more than happy too. I feel like I can be a nice addition to the defensive line.”
WR Travis Benjamin
(On if he knew the Browns were targeting him and when he thought he would be picked)– “They were talking to me a lot over the time period of the job process, but I didn’t think it would be this early.”
(On if he thought he was a first round talent but didn’t have the size)– “I didn’t think I was a first round talent. It’s not my tussle, I can be pick at. Talking to the teams day in and day out they said that they would take me in the fourth, fifth, sixth round, but I never thought when Cleveland was up that they would pick me.”
LB James Michael Johnson
(Did you have an idea where you might be taken?) “No, I really didn’t have an idea. I had a feeling what teams where looking for linebackers. I knew Cleveland was one of those teams and am really grateful they took me.”
(Did you visit the Browns? If so, how’d that visit go and who’d you meet with?) “I met with everybody. The head coach, the GM, the D-coordinator, player personnel – I met with everybody, man. It was a good experience and was one of my favorite experiences. Everybody was nice to me, and I had a good feeling about it. I thought it was a good situation, and I had a good feel when I went there.”
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(Complete conference call transcripts can be found at Ohio.com)
