Tyrod Taylor is the face of all the change Cleveland has made to its roster over the past nine months.
Taylor's one of the biggest and most important of the 31 new faces on Cleveland's 53-man roster, and he hasn't shied away from the challenge. Named one of five team captains Wednesday, Taylor hasn't shied away from any of the responsibilities that come with the position he plays and the situation he's inherited.
Cleveland's starting quarterback sat down with ClevelandBrowns.com to look ahead to his highly anticipated FirstEnergy Stadium debut.
CB.com: It's been six months in the making. You're finally heading into your first official start with the Browns. What are your emotions like heading into your Cleveland debut?
Taylor: I'm excited. Of course we've put a lot of work into it up to this point. I'm looking forward to getting out there and competing with the guys and starting this season out on a good note.
CB.com: From your vantage point, where has the team improved the most since you got here?
Taylor: I think in all aspects we've made progress. Of course, I wasn't a part of this team last year so I can't necessarily compare, but just from the spring until Friday before opening week, guys have definitely accepted the challenge and taken ownership of the offense, the defense and special teams. Guys are coming together and we ultimately made a decision we want to turn things around. It starts with the way we work throughout the week and ultimately starts with us executing on game days.
CB.com: You haven't been on the field since Week 3 of the preseason. How much of your time has been devoted to the Steelers since that final play against the Eagles?
Taylor: It's been all focused on them. With us knowing we weren't going to play in that last preseason game, I was able to steal some mental reps and practice reps against the Steelers and getting ready for them. I think it's paid off. Guys are communicating well and guys are on the same page. On Sunday, it's up to us going out and executing.
CB.com: You've been working after practice with Josh Gordon ever since he returned. How do you see his role in the offense taking shape?
Taylor: We're counting on him for sure. We know what type of talent he brings to the field week in and week out. He's excited for the opportunity to be back on the field and compete with his teammates. We welcomed him back. We're going to need him as well as the other players to step up and make plays, me included. The time is now, and I'm excited about it.
CB.com: This might be one of the youngest receiving corps you've worked with but you still have veterans in Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon. What do you like about this group?
Taylor: Each and every day they come to practice and they're working, working to be great. I love the focus with those guys. You wouldn't know they were such a young receiving group because of the way they go about business day in and day out. I'm excited to see that transpire onto the field and see them go out and make plays.
CB.com: There's been some shifts along the offensive line throughout training camp and now it's been announced rookie Desmond Harrison will be the starting left tackle. What have you seen from him that you like and what do you think of the overall group?
Taylor: He's very talented. Yes, he's young but his skill level is definitely not one of a young player. He's competed his butt off throughout training camp. He showed the coaches and his teammates he's ready for the opportunity.
CB.com: What did it mean for you to be one of the team's five captains?
Taylor: It was definitely important to me. Walking into a new facility, a new organization, a new city and to be able to be voted among your peers as a captain is definitely something that stands out. It's definitely something I'm proud of. I have to continue to keep leading vocally as well as by example each and every day. I welcome that role and I'm excited to go out and lead these guys.
CB.com: What do you like about those other captains and what they bring to the table from a leadership standpoint?
Taylor: Each one is unique. We have some who are more talkative, more vocal. We have some that lead by example. They all lead in their own way but they get their point across. When they speak, players listen. I definitely think it was voted the right way. Ultimately, the players are the ones who decide it. They made good choices.
The Browns 53-man roster as of September 22, 2018.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Drew Stanton throws during pregame of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (31) rushes during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Cleveland Browns running back Carlos Hyde (34) rushes during the first half of the team's NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals free safety George Iloka (43) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) runs away from New York Giants' Orion Stewart (45) and Tae Davis (58) for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Cleveland. The Jets won 17-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) runs a route during an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Damion Ratley warms up before an NFL football preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Browns, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Rod Streater catches a ball during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., Friday, July 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Derrick Willies warms up before an NFL football preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Browns, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end Orson Charles warms up before an NFL football game between the Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Cleveland. The Jets won 17-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns tight end Darren Fells attempts to make a catch during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) plays against Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Smith (94) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
OL Austin Corbett in action against the Buffalo Bills.
In this Aug. 30, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Desmond Harrison (69) defends the line as Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) rushes during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, in Detroit. The Browns could be shaking up their offensive line again. With the season opener against Pittsburgh just a week away, coach Hue Jackson said Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, that "all avenues" are open with his offensive line, which has been in flux since 10-time Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas retired after last season. Jackson reiterated he wants the "best five guys out there" and he said undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison could be in the mix. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
OL Chris Hubbard plays in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson (78) walks off the field after an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) lines up during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. The Titans won 12-9 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Arizona Cardinals offensive guard Earl Watford (71) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec.10, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns offensive guard Kevin Zeitler (70) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Cleveland Browns strong safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun practices before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
DB T.J. Carrie in action during practice at the Browns' facility in Berea.
Cleveland Browns defensive back E.J. Gaines runs through special teams drills during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns strong safety Derrick Kindred (26) lines up during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. Cincinnati won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Terrance Mitchell returns an interception during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ken Blaze)
Cleveland Browns free safety Jabrill Peppers (22) makes an intereption against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
DB Damarious Randall in action against the New York Giants.
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Rice waits on the play during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tavierre Thomas (34) during the first half of an preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Ward (21) watches in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Trevon Coley (93) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Carl Davis celebrates tackle from the sidelines against the Chicago Bears in the first half at the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) defends against Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence (68) walks on the field during training camp at their NFL football training facility in Metairie, La., Friday, July 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah celebrates a missed field goal by the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi celebrates a sack in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith walks to a drill during the team's organized team activity at its NFL football training facility Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chad Thomas (92) walks off the field after an NFL football preseason game agains the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) lines up against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
LB Genard Avery practices at the Browns' facility in Berea.
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker James Burgess (52) rushes the passer during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. The Packers won 27-21 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins runs a drill during practice at the NFL football team's training camp facility, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker D'Juan Hines walks off the field after the team's NFL football practice, Sunday, July 29, 2018, in Costa Mesa, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) lines up during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. Cincinnati won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) drops back during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. The Titans won 12-9 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Buffalo Bills linebacker Tanner Vallejo in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Miami Dolphins kicker Greg Joseph (5) walks off the field at the NFL football team's training camp, Monday, July 30, 2018, in Davie, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cleveland Browns long snapper Charley Hughlett covers a punt against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt (4) kicks against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
CB.com: You're one of 31 new guys on this 53-man roster. What's it like being a part of that kind of change?
Taylor: It's special to be a part of the change. It's an opportunity for us to change the culture, to get things going in the right direction compared to the years before. I think each and every new player, as well as the old players, recognize this opportunity that's in front of us and the talent we have on this team.
CB.com: Looking at the Steelers defense, what stands out when you look at them on film?
Taylor: Very physical group. They've been together for a long time, outside of a couple changes in the back end and at linebacker. It's a group that is very physical and hard-nosed. You know you have to establish the run against those guys and take shots when the opportunity presents itself. It boils down to us going out and executing our game plan and us being detailed and focused.
CB.com: Is there anything unique about a season opener that makes it challenging for a quarterback?
Taylor: I wouldn't say there's anything unique about it. Each season is definitely different. The goal is the same, and that's to win the Super Bowl. You understand it's a day-by-day approach and a week-by-week approach and doing the things right each and every day to get yourself right for game day.
CB.com: What are you expecting from the atmosphere at FirstEnergy Stadium?
Taylor: It's going to be loud for sure. That's the way it's supposed to be at home. As players, we have to go out there and defend our dirt. A home game should be an advantage for us as far as the crowd goes. We have the use that emotion and that energy, handle the emotions and use that energy in a positive way.
