Browns Players Derek Anderson, Jerome Harrison, Mohamed Massaquoi and More Talk About Win Over Oakland

QB Derek Anderson (On the success of the running game) – “It has been good. Dabe (offensive coordinator Brian Daboll) put together a good plan. He got us in and out of checks with ease and put us in the best situation he could on each and every play. The praise goes to him and the guys out there executing the plays.”

(On the difference since he last started) – “The no-huddle was good and fun. It was the first time that I had it in a game and I enjoyed it. I think what we have been doing the last 5-6 weeks is kind of carrying over. Guys caught the ball well and got open. When you are able to run the ball and get into second and five and third and manageable situations, it makes things a lot easier. I think we only had one or two third and longs today but nothing bad happened in them.”

(On playing cautiously) – “I knew that the way our defense was playing, and the way we were able to run the ball, that as long as I was good and didn’t make any stupid mistakes, and put the balls into the right places, that we were going to win the game. I was confident in the plan going in and I just stuck to it and everything worked out well.”

(On what he said to Charlie Frye after the game) – “I told him that I would see him in Arizona for golf this winter. I told him that he did a good job. They gave him some time to throw it a lot and he played well. I haven’t really talked to him or seen him since he left so it was nice.”

(On how Mike Holmgren should look at the three-game win streak) – “I don’t think he knows each and every one of us in here yet, but I think he will. This shows the character of the guys that we have in the locker room. Like I said in the beginning of the year, nobody is ever going to quit. I believe in all those guys. It shows. Guys have been coming in and working every single week even though our playoff chances have been gone a long time ago. We just continue to keep working.”

(On if he’d like to play more games now that they are winning) – “I just wish we had played better earlier. The way that we have been playing now, if we had been able to string a few together earlier, this would be a different situation. We kind of talked about not letting anything slip away from us that during the off-week and we did. I am proud of the way the guys have been playing the last couple of weeks.”

(On the touchdown just before half) – “The defender was jumping the slant so I gave him (WR Mohamed Massaquoi) a Slant-Go. Fortunately, Oakland tried to fight us just before half and they gave us a few extra yards.”

(On the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties) – “The guys were just talking and there were some unnecessary things going on. They were beating on J.C. (Jerome Harrison) when he was on the ground and our guys aren’t going to let that happen.”

(On the play of Jerome Harrison the last two weeks) – “I have seen him do this since college. I’ve seen him at the end of my rookie year when we (Oregon State) played them (Washington State) after a bye week and he had something like 180 yards in the first half and then only got four carries in the second half. I’ve known what he can do for a long time, it is just now that he is getting the opportunity to get carries and show what he can do.”

(On the potential of beating a good Jacksonville team and to end the year winning four straight) – “I think the team that we played today was playing pretty well too. We beat the Steelers a few weeks ago. They are a good team. Jacksonville is a good team. We played them a couple of years ago and they were good. We just have to try to continue to do the same things that we have been doing.” (On the touchdown drive right before the half) – “We weren’t really just trying to run the clock out. We had been gashing them and we were thinking that if we could get a good run and gain 15 or 20 yards and get us some space, then we would try and go. We got that when Jerome Harrison broke the run after we checked into a draw at the last second. Obviously, the penalties helped us, but we completed some balls and did some good things. I don’t think his (Coach Mangini’s) thought process was to run out the clock.”

LB David Bowens (On his interception)- “There were opportunities for a lot of guys to make a lot of plays. One thing we focused on this week is, once we are all on the same page and doing the same thing, we’re pretty good.”

(On the defensive strategy)- “It was all predicated on what they came out in (offensive formation), but we knew their base and we were able to mix up a lot of things.”

(On the younger players)- “Everyone understands their responsibilities and opportunities and is making the best of it.”

(On the goal line stand)- “We gave up some big plays, but we practiced goal line (defense) this week and it seemed like they slowed down for us.”

DB Brandon McDonald (On his interception)- “I attacked the guy because we have an aggressive coordinator who fits our system. Our game plan was just all about getting after them.”

(On the team)- “It’s just fun being a part of this football team. All of us have faced a situation where we’re not really where we wanted to be, but we continue to work hard and just win.”

RB Jerome Harrison (On the win) – “With the win, I feel great. How I’m going to feel tomorrow - I don’t know.”

(On feeling like a piñata again after today’s game) – “I’m going to feel like a busted one this week. No, those guys take great care of me up front. I really wish I could bring the whole offensive line, Lawrence Vickers, and the tight ends up here to do the interviews because I’m not doing anything. They do all the work and I’m just getting the credit for it. But that’s really what’s been going on out there the past two or three weeks.”

(On the Raiders’ cheap shots) – “We knew they were going to do that. They play after the whistle. Little cheap shots, trying to roll your ankle, stuff like that. But like I said, Rex Hadnot, Joe Thomas, the guys wouldn’t let them do it. They were getting guys off me before I got hurt. They take care of me, man. They really do.”

(On what took so long for the team to play well) – “If we thought like that, we would have gone out and lost these last two or three games. I think we see it as more of a movement in the right direction. We can only control what we control. We can only play the game we are playing right now. We’re just looking forward to playing Jacksonville.”

(On following up last week’s performance with the same game plan this week) – “I just line up and practice hard every week. If my number is called, I try to make the best of it, whether it is running, blocking or catching, whatever it may be. I just try to put myself in a situation during the week where whatever happens, I’ll be prepared to help the team win in all ways necessary.”

(On explaining the trick play with Joshua Cribbs) – “I can’t tell you, we might do it again.”

(On the touchdown run to start the game) – “Here goes another big hole that they created for me. I might as well take it.”

(On waiting four years to get his chance) – “This is what you live for, what you dream about. It is what you practice for. I had to sit behind Jamal Lewis, who is a great running back and one of my great friends. I told myself that I am going to work with Jamal and take as much from him as I can until my time comes. Jamal used to always tell me, ‘your time will come, just be prepared. Just keep learning and studying.’ This is just all of the hard work and stuff paying off.”

(On being a smaller running back) – “I just line up and play, man. I’ve been small all of my life. Not one day did I want to be six foot or five foot 11 and 220 or 230 pounds. God made me this way. ‘He’s too small’, I’ve heard that all of my life and I’ve been scoring touchdowns my whole life so their opinions and thoughts don’t define me. Just put in the tape and watch me. Then you can make your opinion.”

(On what has changed since early in the season) – “I don’t know. The team is just getting into a good rhythm. The offense is feeding off the defense, the defense is feeding off the special teams and we are all headed in the same direction. The whole time that we were losing, we never stopped playing for each other.”

(On Jim Brown being proud of him) – “He just said, ‘I am proud of you.’ He talked to me a lot. I am just going to say that he is proud of me. The rest of it we will keep between us.”

(On having Jim Brown as a mentor) – “It is a blessing, a true blessing to have a guy like Jim Brown. Most guys who play running back in the NFL never have a chance to get close to guys like Barry Sanders and guys like that to tutor them. I’ve got one of the greatest and I appreciate it and don’t take it for granted.”

(On his durability) – “All I do is go out there and play. I never worry about that.”

(On what he did to convince Coach Mangini to let him play) – “Nothing. Just practiced.”

(On conversations with Coach Mangini) – “We had a great conversation to be exact. It was just two grown men getting on the same page. We were working in the same direction. It just wasn’t in the same lane, but we were both pushing for the right thing so we just sat and talked. We just cleared up the little bit of misconception that we had. We have a great relationship. I like the guy and everything is working.”

(On when the conversation took place) – “You would know better than I would.”

(On setting the team single-game record with 39 carries) – “I feel good because it was a good win, at home, and in front of the fans. Thirty-nine carries, 20 or 15, you are going to be sore. I feel alright, especially with the win. A win makes everything a little lighter.”

(On having the energy to close out the game) – “I don’t reach for any reserve, it is what you play for. We would rather be out there than have the defense be out there. The offense wants the ball in our hands. That’s what we play for and practice for.”

(On did he need to become a better practice player) – “I would say yes, I’ve been that way my whole life. I have practiced, but never as hard I guess. I have been that way. I have always told myself since I was playing pee-wee league, I’ll wait for the game. It is not like that, the NFL is more of a business. It is like that in high school, college and junior college.”

(On taking advantage of his opportunity) – “It is what I have been working for since I got here. When it did happen, Jamal and I sat down and had a deep conversation. He told me certain things that I need to do. ‘This will help you.’ I am not going to say it, but he laid something out there for me like where you need to be at when the season is over. ‘Find a way to get there no matter what.’ That’s how I have been taking the approach every week. Find a way to get there.”

(On playing against Maurice Jones-Drew next week) – “We played against each other in college. He is one of my favorite running backs in the NFL. I like watching him play, just not next week.”

OL Eric Steinbach (On all of the penalties)- “Yeah, it just got a little feisty out there. This is football. It is going to get physical and heated at times out there. The battles after the whistle actually gave us an emotional rush. It is never smart to have late penalties like that. If they are going to start, then we are going to finish it. Those penalties actually sparked us.”

(On another 100 yard rushing game for RB Jerome Harrison)- “Late in the season with our last two games at home, if we can establish the run early and keep the ground game going, that can dictate the game. It makes it easier on the quarterback and the play calling. Running the ball effectively opens up everything on offense.”

(On being disciplined during all the penalties)- “It’s tough not to retaliate. When you are playing a game like this, there is so much aggression out there, but you have to be smart. If those guys want to get ejected and have dumb penalties, so be it, it can only help us out.”

WR Mohamed Massaquoi (On the win)- “It just feels good to get a win. We’re playing together right now. Everybody is playing for the next man. We’re just happy to see each other do well and I think it’s contagious. Everyone is trying to go out and make a play.”

(On the opponents’ defensive coverages)- “It’s all new, especially when you play against athletes this good. You have to put your best effort forward so that you can improve from week to week.”

(On his touchdown reception)- “Personal accomplishments don’t mean a thing unless you get a win. We have been able to string together wins and now we want to go out and get the fourth one (in a row). Earlier in the season we were just trying to find a groove and a rhythm. I think we have that now.”

OL Rex Hadnot (On the physical game)- “You would hope that people aren’t just intentionally dirty, but it’s an emotional game and you have to protect yourself. The best way to protect yourself is to always be on the offensive.”

(On Jerome Harrison)- “I think he’s doing a wonderful job for us. We have all been working hard at getting going in the right direction. He’s waited his turn and has been making the most of his opportunities.”

(On play of the offensive line)- “We took exception to some comments made earlier in the week. We were excited about getting a chance to put the team on our back. Jerome has been running extremely well and guys have been blocking extremely well and it just kind of came together.”