Browns Rookie Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson talks with the media ahead of Browns practice on November 22, 2023.
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00:00 >> When you kind of went back, looked over the film and everything,
00:05 what was on second glance kind of your takeaways from your performance,
00:10 especially there in the second half?
00:13 >> I mean, obviously you're gonna have things that we can need to clean up.
00:17 I think the biggest thing is, as offense, we played on time,
00:20 try to negate their rush as much as possible.
00:23 I think TJ only had one sack, had a couple of QB hits on me.
00:26 But other than that, I think we played on time,
00:28 both in the pass game and in the run game.
00:30 I'm stuck with it, at times not gonna be easy.
00:33 So that's going against a defense like that.
00:34 So second half, getting a couple of three and outs.
00:39 We're working to fix those this week, but ultimately I was happy with the game.
00:43 >> I'm guessing you watched our FICO growing up.
00:46 >> Yeah, I did.
00:46 >> To have him in the room with you and as a sounding board and
00:49 somebody else that you can talk to.
00:50 >> Yeah, man, it's awesome, it's awesome.
00:52 Anytime you got experience, it's just something as a rookie you need.
00:56 It's a great thing.
00:56 So him, PJ, AVP, Ashton, everybody in the quarterback room,
01:01 they're helping me out a ton.
01:03 He just got here, he's still learning the way around the city.
01:05 So I'm trying to help him out with that.
01:06 But he's definitely helping me out on the football side of things, for sure.
01:09 >> So what do you have to do, Doreen, to keep the momentum but
01:12 maybe improve on your own game?
01:15 >> Yeah, man, I think it's just looking back at what I did last Sunday.
01:19 Just like how I did week four is what I did good, but I need to correct.
01:23 And going out here on practice on Wednesday and going out there and
01:26 correcting it.
01:26 So I don't think there's any secret formula, just going out there,
01:29 putting the work in Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
01:33 And then going out there and make sure you're locked in on Sunday.
01:36 >> What do you make sure you retain in terms of Joe's role as he comes in here?
01:41 And I mean, I'm sure his presence is on conference, but
01:44 you're also trying to make sure you're not looking over your shoulder in any way?
01:48 >> I mean, as a competitor, I always wanna get pushed by guys.
01:51 So it doesn't really matter to me.
01:52 They haven't let me know anything besides just get ready for this week and
01:56 make sure you're the best prepared this week.
01:57 So that's what I come in here to do on a week to week basis and
02:00 I plan to do that today.
02:01 >> So how long did it take you to come down from that game?
02:03 >> Shoot, maybe 20 minutes after the game.
02:07 My family was singing happy birthday to me in the family and friends section.
02:11 So I got to kind of just more so focus on my birthday as a gift and
02:15 more so the games.
02:16 >> You were so working on it.
02:17 What part of your game are you spending the most time trying to hold right now?
02:21 >> Yeah, I think just getting more and more comfortable with the game.
02:24 It's a different style of playing in the NFL from college.
02:27 So I think if I can just keep progressing with how I'm working with the offense,
02:32 my reads, my timing with the receivers and running backs and tight ends.
02:36 I think I'll be all right, but just working on whatever ABP or
02:40 Coach Dabansky or Aston has for me out there at practice.
02:43 >> So the video of you on the sideline kind of crouched down, real emotional.
02:47 I guess, where do you think that emotion came from?
02:50 >> I mean, the work I put in Monday through Sunday or Monday through Saturday.
02:55 And really since I've gotten here,
02:56 think about all those times in Greenbrier when getting any reps.
03:00 You guys were all noticing me in the back taking all those reps.
03:02 Those reps have now helped me come this past Sunday and
03:05 as well as the rest of the Sundays moving forward.
03:07 And being able to even put me in this position.
03:09 So just realizing how far I've come and also where I'm trying to be at.
03:14 But just trying to appreciate the moment.
03:17 I talked to my mentor the day before and just being able to take it all in is one
03:20 of his biggest points.
03:21 And so I think that's where all that emotion came from.
03:24 >> You used your legs the other day.
03:26 Do you feel comfortable using that more in your mobility when getting out and
03:30 making things happen?
03:31 >> I mean, yeah, my job as a quarterback is to get first downs and touchdowns.
03:35 I know I have some pretty good legs under myself.
03:37 So if I can be able to use those to get some first downs,
03:40 keep the defense, like I said, on their toes.
03:42 That's probably one of the worst things as a D coordinator when you gotta go against
03:44 a running quarterback in man coverage.
03:46 So as much as I can try and help team when I'm gonna do it.
03:49 >> Dorian, after the game, David was really critical of himself with
03:53 the drop passes, but he made a huge catch on that final drive.
03:56 But just what does that mean to you that one of your teammates
04:00 holds himself accountable right after the game he runs home.
04:04 He's calling coach on the jugs machine, working on his fundamentals.
04:09 >> Yeah, and he called me too.
04:11 He called me too, he apologized.
04:12 I'm like, brother, you ain't gotta worry about that.
04:14 I'm gonna come back to you on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
04:17 all the days of practice.
04:18 So Dave's gonna have a hell of a week this week.
04:21 He's gonna make a lot of catches this Sunday, and I'm excited for it.
04:25 >> It's gonna be super cold at Denver.
04:26 You bring in the big puffy black jacket.
04:29 >> I can't give the swag away just yet, but
04:31 I'll definitely be nice and cozy before the game.
04:32 >> What shoes are you wearing again?
04:35 >> Here we go, we got a new guy on staff.
04:38 I don't know yet, man, I don't know yet.
04:40 I don't pick my outfits out too early in advance.
04:44 >> What's it like for you to go off against Russell Wilson?
04:52 I'm sure you probably maybe idolized him over the years.
04:56 What are your thoughts on being on the same field with Russell?
04:58 >> Yeah, I mean, this is starting to lose fingers on how many guys I can count that
05:03 I now have met prior to playing them and now I get to play them.
05:06 So you can add Russell to that list.
05:09 He's been down to UCLA plenty of times.
05:11 I was coached by one of his college coaches, Dana Bible,
05:16 my first couple years in college.
05:17 So I actually got to meet with him, do some Zoom meetings with him during COVID and
05:20 stuff like that.
05:21 So me and Russ have a pretty good relationship.
05:23 But again, just another great opportunity.
05:26 I'm so happy I get to go out there and play this week, play with my guys.
05:29 Good to do the same thing we did last week and just go out there and have a ball.
05:32 >> Unfortunately, this game, a lot of your teammates were saying that you were
05:35 showing them that leadership that you wanted to do and you were even correcting
05:40 them on the play.
05:41 You saw him out there on Sunday,
05:42 you kind of got Kareem Hunt back in the mix on that final drive.
05:46 How important has it been for you to focus on the mental part of the game,
05:49 knowing especially in those last ten minutes?
05:51 Where do you think you've grown in that area?
05:53 >> I mean, yeah, I think I said on Sunday, this is a responsibility.
05:56 It's just I get to be the starting quarterback and
05:58 everybody loves me and all this other stuff.
06:01 So I gotta come and I gotta work at it every day.
06:04 The amount of detail and focus that needs to be able to be successful at this
06:09 position is strenuous, it's tough.
06:12 And all those things that you see on Sunday is because of the work that's put
06:15 in throughout the week.
06:16 So I think I'm in a good spot.
06:19 Definitely wanna improve and make sure that I'm even better than last Sunday.
06:24 But yeah, man, that's kind of what I look forward to when you're in those close
06:27 tight games, close tight situations, you can be able to lock in focus.
06:31 That's when you're at your best and you make plays.
06:34 >> I'm sure the Steelers pass rush had plenty to do with it, but
06:37 there's a bunch of short passes last week.
06:39 Do you feel like the more you get comfortable, the more starts you have,
06:42 that will expand and you'll be able to push it down the field more?
06:45 >> I mean, shoot, I hope so.
06:47 But no, that's not in my control.
06:50 I hope we can throw, shoot as many passes as we can,
06:53 as well as get the run game and Kareem and Jerome involved.
06:56 But if I can throw a bubble for five yards and he takes it to distance,
07:01 I don't think anybody would be mad at that.
07:02 So I'm here to control the game plan and
07:07 make sure that I'm doing everything that Coach Stavanski wants.
07:09 >> Dorian, I know that this isn't under your control.
07:13 If you look at the top half of the league, pretty much every team in the top half of
07:16 the league, other than the Browns, has their opening day start in quarterback,
07:20 right?
07:21 And your frame of reference is just here, you haven't played elsewhere professionally.
07:25 What is it about this room, this team, that has allowed for
07:30 the fluidity at quarterback to not disrupt the success of the team?
07:34 >> Yeah, I think, I mean, take back to Greenbar.
07:37 I wish you guys were there to really see the meetings and
07:38 insights and what we were doing there.
07:40 But I think we are really close throughout that whole time.
07:44 We were those eight days.
07:45 And it's really shown now from the moments where you see guys pushing the pile
07:51 to the defense, always celebrate with each other after a play.
07:54 I think that's kind of what it is.
07:56 You just come closer to the team when moments get hard.
07:59 And luckily, we've been on the winning side of all those.
08:01 So yeah, I think that's what it is.
08:03 I think it's just really close to.
08:04 >> Do you have hope that this upcoming trip in LA can be similar to what you just
08:10 talked about?
08:12 >> For sure. I mean, every week we're trying to go 1-0.
08:14 And so we're focused on the Broncos this week and
08:16 make sure that this is the best we can practice we've had this year.
08:19 Because all the weeks before it have been the best weeks up to that point.
08:22 So we can keep climbing, keep staying on the path we're on.
08:26 I think we'll be all right come towards the end of the year.
08:29 >> So you got a lot of bonding this time of year.
08:31 >> Yeah. >> Can this trip be,
08:32 do you have hope that it can have a similar- >> Yeah, for sure, for sure.
08:35 I mean, I know guys aren't really looking forward to staying in a hotel for
08:38 a week again.
08:38 But no, I think it'd be really cool, really fun.
08:41 Again, just getting everybody close in one space at one time,
08:45 especially for a longer period of time, I think it'll be really healthy for the team.
08:48 >> What are you doing for that altitude this week?
08:49 How do you prepare for it?
08:50 >> I mean, I played down in Boulder playing UC.
08:53 So I've played down there plenty of times.
08:55 But I think just getting an altitude room, getting some extra conditioning after
08:59 practice, just kind of taking it upon yourself to make sure that you're in shape.
09:03 >> You got a lot going on this week.
09:04 Would you allow yourself to think about being in Westwood next week as a starting
09:08 quarterback?
09:09 >> No, no, I don't think my teammates or any of my coaches will let me think that
09:13 far ahead.
09:13 So, but no, I know it's gonna be a great time.
09:16 I'm gonna be able to see a bunch of people I know already.
09:18 I'll see a bunch of familiarity being around UCLA and
09:22 getting to use that practice facility and all the things that they have there.
09:25 So no, I'm super excited.
09:27 >> We've heard a lot about these two minute things,
09:30 like practice periods you guys do every week.
09:32 How much time do you spend on that?
09:34 How competitive are those periods?
09:35 >> Yeah, I mean, the two minute is everything.
09:38 I mean, I've been working with Coach Kelly since my freshman year of college.
09:42 So the two minute thing that comes with ease to me now, it was funny.
09:46 I was texting with Coach Kelly after the game about how we only had a minute 18
09:50 left and that felt like five minutes of the game.
09:53 So now I'm super grateful for him and as well as Coach Fance,
09:56 we work it here too.
09:56 So there's such a big moment in the game for us to be able to come out on top.
10:01 I think it shows with all the work we've done.
10:02 >> How much do you guys emphasize with getting that ball spotted with the defense?
10:06 >> Yeah, everything, everything.
10:08 Yeah, there's so much that goes into a two minute that people really don't realize.
10:11 Whether you're outside the hash catching the ball and
10:13 you need to get to the sideline or inside the numbers.
10:16 You need to hand it to the ref and stuff like that or
10:18 make sure that the box he gets the ref you don't want to drop it or anything.
10:21 So yeah, there's a bunch of stuff that goes into it.
10:23 >> So did Chip reach out to you?
10:26 >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, he reached out to me just saying good luck this week.
10:29 Obviously I said good luck with him playing at sea and
10:31 then they handled business.
10:32 So and then yeah, we talked a little bit after the game.
10:34 >> First of all, who- >> Just a couple more.
10:35 >> Will you have him, maybe Kevin has already done this, but
10:39 will you guys have some encounter with Chip?
10:42 Will he talk to the team?
10:44 And what other plans do you have as sort of the host for the week?
10:49 >> Man, that's a big responsibility right there, being the host in LA.
10:52 But no, I don't know what Coach Kelly has planned when we're down there.
10:57 I know they'll have just been finished up their regular season.
11:00 So they'll be getting ready for bowl prep.
11:01 I'm sure they'll be on break for that first week and stuff with the finals.
11:04 So I hope I get to see everybody.
11:07 Like I said, they'll be coming off the cow and getting that win.
11:10 So I know they'll be in high spirits.
11:12 >> Who's that mentor?
11:14 >> Seth McCaskill, the chess guy.
11:18 >> And I know you said you're embracing having Joe here, but
11:21 the Browns have just signed a quarterback who won a Super Bowl.
11:23 He's going for 40,000 yards.
11:25 How do you not let that be kind of a pressure to you or
11:28 make you look over your shoulder?
11:30 >> Shoot, I mean, if y'all would have been inside my body to feel the pressure I felt
11:34 when they were chanting my name, when I had everybody thinking about this game and
11:39 the Steelers and how big of that rivalry was.
11:42 Joe coming in here is more of a blessing than anything.
11:46 Like I said, I'm asking him a bunch of questions.
11:49 We were chopping it up a stuff ton this morning.
11:54 He's in the early meetings with us, me and PJ now.
11:57 So it's great, man.
11:57 He's fitting so well.
11:59 And like I said, I've only known him for just about a day with him being here.
12:02 So I love Joe.
12:04 It's been awesome.
12:05 >> Real quick, that altitude.
12:07 Was that a big deal for you to get out there?
12:12 >> No, not really.
12:13 I mean, shoot, I don't think in college we really had oxygen masks on the sidelines.
12:16 So at least here we have oxygen masks on the sidelines for
12:18 us to be able to breathe and get air in.
12:20 But no, it's never really been a struggle.
12:22 I personally honestly don't notice it being a quarterback unless I take off and
12:26 scramble.
12:26 But I'm sure other guys won't really notice.
12:29 So we have guys that work hard and are up to it.