Browns 30, Panthers 10
Q. Dave talked about how much work Jalen Coker put in this off-season to have a night like he did tonight. What kind of work have you seen from him this off-season?
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, super hard worker the entire season. Working to get his body right back to 100 percent during the off-season, being super diligent with what he does training-wise, what he's been doing diet, all that stuff since the end of last season. He's been on a miss, and it showed up today, it's shown up during camp, it's shown up during OTAs. That's the kind of player, the kind of worker he is, so it's great to see that come to fruition today.
Q. On that touchdown play, it looked like you kind of scrambled out and told him, like, come back to the left. Take us through that play from your point of view.
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, we talked about just starting the second play after a 2.7 and a couple guys same spot, Jalen did a great job of filling that. Always try to give a little direction, make sure we're on the same page during a scramble drill, and Jalen did a great job of navigating it and also keeping the speed down, so it was a great play by him.
Q. How would you assess the offensive play today?
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, I think there's some stuff that as a team, as a unit -- I haven't watched the film yet. You never know. But for the whole game, I think we were a little -- one thing away, whether it be a penalty or one extra strain from wherever it may be. We know it's right there. Just making sure we can put together a full game, full, complete performance, no matter who's out there. We're all Panthers, we're all family, we all take ownership in it, so obviously want to have a more complete game.
Q. I know it was just two series that you played, but how were you feeling when you came off the field?
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, I feel great. We were all confident. Being able to practice against our defense, enjoy practicing stuff, you're able to build that confidence, build that fellowship, that togetherness. We all loved the energy that we brought on the sideline. Everyone was rooting for each other. Everyone was happy to see. Obviously haven't watched the film yet, but this is part of the season that's a lot about evaluation. Seeing a lot of the guys, the younger guys especially stepping up and making plays, it was really great.
Q. Talk about TMac getting that free release on the long pass and it's one-on-one. Did you like your chances?
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, for sure. I have a ton of trust, a ton of confidence in him. He did a great job of pulling his line, giving me a spot to throw the ball. It was a great catch. It's a lot harder than I'm sure it looked, so he did a great job on that. Yeah, I have all the confidence in the world in him.
Q. This is the first time getting live game reps with TMac. How would you assess his play and what's the process like building chemistry with your new receiver?
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, we've been on it. He's done a great job throughout from when he got here after draft day to all the way through the off-season, through training camp, just making a concerted effort of that, of making sure that we're communicating, we're on the same page, and really it's been all the receivers. They do a great job of not just running their route and then going back and putting their head down. They want to know the why, know the how, know there's something they can improve. I'm the same way. As a QB room, I take pride in and we all take pride in making sure we're communicating, hey, is this what you want, this is what I want, whatever, making sure we're all on the same page. So seeing it from him and the whole receiving corps, it's great to see.
Q. Did you have a conversation like that after the almost-touchdown throw? He seemed to take responsibility for the drop right away.
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, any time when we're able to connect, we're not able to connect, we're always in communication. We're talking about things, and for both of us, we both want to do things better. We just want to do whatever is best for the team and make those plays. Again, him and the entire receiving corps, we have all the confidence in the world.
Q. How did that one pre-draft workout with him sort of help lay the foundation?
BRYCE YOUNG: We played against each other in high school. I've followed his career for a long time. Honestly, me being a fan of his and his game, it was not something I knew. It wasn't a workout; I'd seen him play. That was one of the things that I confirmed and getting him now especially with this receiver corps that's so competitive, that works so hard, seeing him blend in, fit in and all of us kind of on that mission to do the best that we can, it's huge for us.
Q. Dave said he'd like you guys to play three series in Houston. You said earlier this week you felt (indiscernible) deeper into the half at Houston?
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, I'm excited. Obviously Coach and everyone upstairs knows what's best. I trust in them. Anytime you get to play football and be out here, you forget -- I came off the sideline, and you forget how much you miss it, how much fun it is when you're away from it, you forget that feeling you get. Whatever it is we're called to do, I'm really excited to do.
Q. What did TMac say to you after that play in the end zone? Was the timing off or --
BRYCE YOUNG: Yeah, just getting on the same page. It's the specifics of a route and throw timing, and that's stuff that a receiver and QB communicates, and it always happens.
Q. What did you see from that penalty where he got ejected?
BRYCE YOUNG: I didn't get to see the whole thing, but it's football. It's a physical sport. X is an ultimate competitor. It's part of the game.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports