Browns QB Dillon Gabriel (Post-Game Transcript)
On the adrenaline before and during the game:
“Yeah, no adrenaline. I think it’s just more excitement. Getting to wake up and go to game day was a lot of fun, and it was good to get back in that process. It was a lot of fun.”
On his performance during today’s game:
“Yeah, I think we’ll still have to go back to the film and see how it is, but for me, I think just continue to learn from some things that can’t happen, like turnovers. But I think other than that, there are flashes of being very consistent and clean as an offense. I think as long as we consistently work on that and then try to put more of those kinds of drives together, you see our defense playing really well and just putting each other in better positions.”
On the interception that was returned for a touchdown:
“I think, for me, I look back and definitely want to just throw it away, don’t force anything on a keeper and I felt like there was miscommunication on my part, something that we’ve got to clean up, but I will make sure of that.”
On his opinion of the team’s starting quarterback situation:
“Yeah, I’m not worried about that at all. Just focus on one day at a time. At the end of the day, some decision will be made that’s best for the team and that’ll be it. So I’m just focused on being the best version of myself and contributing to our team to be the best. That takes every single day and one day at a time. So, way down the road.”
On the handoff exchange:
“Yeah, just miscommunication as well. I got to be better there to help us out on knowing exactly where the launch point is and that’s something that’ll be corrected and fixed as soon as possible.”
On the opportunity to run a two-minute drill:
“I think there’s 86% of NFL games that have a two-minute end of game or end of half depending. But for us that’s huge. We definitely want to continue to get those reps. You try to emulate it, but I think when you’re in it, it’s definitely the best. Just trying to get points, whether it’s seven or three, just trying to consistently move the ball and then think through how we’re going to operate through that.”
On the moment and the feeling of playing as an NFL quarterback in an NFL stadium:
“Yeah, I think it’s helped having OTAs and even into training camp where we are now, but I think there’s still that focus within the moment and serving the moment. So not making it too big or too small. That allows you to just be your best within that. I definitely want to continue to stack those moments and definitely always be grateful and blessed to go out there. It’s a blessing to do what we do, so never want to disregard that.”
On the comment he made on the telecast about entertainers and competitors:
“What do you mean?”
Journalist: There’s a quote that you said, there’s entertainers and competitors and I’m a competitor and I understand there’s entertainers. What context is that quote given?
Dillon Gabriel: “Well, all you in this room are entertainers and you have a job to do and I respect it, right? And I’m a competitor so I have a job to do as well. And I think just understanding that that’s how I’ve lived by, and I’ve said that multiple times, so definitely not a new quote, but something that I’ve definitely said before.”
Journalist: You were referring to the media as the entertainer?
Dillon Gabriel: “Yeah, I just said that, yeah.”
On clarifying his comments because some people on social media thought that the comments were a shot at Browns QB Shedeur Sanders:
“First off, I am all about our team, you know what I mean? And each other. I would never make that [comment about him]. I’ve said it before, that’s why it’s interesting. But for me, I’ve explained it, entertainers are you all. A competitor, that’s what I am along with all my teammates. We both have jobs to do. That’s it.”
On his recent hamstring injury:
“I think it’s interesting because you’re working through it and it is unique, I will say that. It’s one of the first [injuries] like that for me. You’re just working through it. Some days it feels good, some days are not as good as others, but I think we see a progression as linear, but with a [hamstring], as I’m realizing there are a few days when you have to continue to strengthen it and work through it. I’m just trying to get better and feel better there.”
On the opening touchdown drive of the game:
“It feels good. You definitely want to set the tone early and I think we had great openers and we were able to think through that and feel really confident about it. Everyone executed at a high level in the run game. I think the offensive line played really great and they were just getting vertical in their double teams, with the running backs seeing that as well. It is a full team effort and you see the receivers getting on the second level and blocking as well and then trying to make plays in the pass game. So I think when you see consistency like that, that’s at its best. You want to continue to replicate that. But within a drive, it’s answering, too. We take a sack early, but we get a third-down [conversion]. We’re in another third-and-long, but we get ahead of it and we try to work our way back. I think you just see guys competing through that. So I’m proud of the guys for sure.”
On converting the first six third-down conversions of the game:
“I think we always talk about it. It’s the red area and it’s third downs. I think it’s the turnover margin obviously where we have to be better. I think those are key points, even negative plays. You want to eliminate those and be as good as you can within that. And I think we just had a good operation within that. We want to definitely be better on first and second [down] and we were in some cases. But the more we can continue to be ahead of the chains, get in third-and-true manageables, and then execute at a high level, the better we’ll be in those moments.”
On whether he was able to showcase his skills today after dealing with injuries during training camp:
“I think it’s interesting because there are always overreactions with preseason [games] and naturally because it’s the first time you’re seeing a lot of players. But for many I think, we’re just trying to build continuity and build consistency. So for me, it’s all growing moments in the grand scheme of things. I’m a guy that sees it long term. I think you see a day or two, or two weeks, but I think the true growth is within months or years and you see a player grow within that. I think that’s where you see guys definitely flourish. You see that from our vets and they’re great case studies for that as well. I think we just have to continue to chip away and that starts with a lot of the young guys, but us all contributing to what we want to do, which is just win games.”
On how maintaining his composure after a turnover is important to his game:
“I think the response is everything. I think in many cases there’s maybe mistakes on display or maybe plays that you want back, but for the most part there’s got to be that continuous response and competitive nature to continue to go out there and compete. And I’m a gunslinger and I’m going to continue to sling it and be aggressive that way. Like I said, that can’t happen, and we’ve got to throw it away in that situation. But I think as a unit and us coming together, I want to help my teammates out by being better and we all know that it’s us coming together to go do that.”