Mike Pettine Press Conference - August 10

On if OL Joe Thomas was rolled up on a play today in practice: “Yeah, We will know more [soon]. I don’t think it is anything serious.” On if Thomas will have tests done: “Yeah, normal. Just getting checked.” On running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery’s comment about needing one RB to step up to be the primary back: “We are hopeful. If you are not practicing, it is hard to step up and be the guy. I think that’s the source of frustration for all of us.” On DL Phil Taylor’s progress and Taylor receiving more reps today than past practices: “I definitely saw him out there. A lot of his reps, we kind of leave up to him and whatever he feels comfortable with because he is still very much in recovery mode. That is a hard thing. There is no way during the rehab to simulate taking on a double team and having 600-plus pounds leaning against you and all that. He talks every day. He communicates well with (defensive line) Coach (Anthony) Weaver. They will have a daily plan for him.” On what the Browns need to see from Taylor in the preseason games: “Just feedback from him that he is confident. With that injury, typically, it will show up on tape, especially when they start to get tired. You can tell if he is favoring one leg or the other. I just think time will tell with Phil.” On if TE Gary Barnidge has earned the No. 1 TE job: “Gary has done a nice job. We play with multiple tight ends. Right now, if we had to put one out there, it would be Gary. Gary is the ultimate professional. He comes out and does his job, prepares well, very rarely has a mental mistake. I think he has a lot better hands than people give him credit for. From a measurable standpoint, he is a big target. Not the fastest guy but he is veteran enough to know how to get open.”On Barnidge’s blocking ability: “He is solid. There are times when he might struggle with an elite guy, but I feel confident with him against most of the guys he will go up against.” On DB Justin Gilbert taking reps a kick returner: “Sure, he will be part of that mix. We know that he had the resume from Oklahoma State when he came in here and that he had success doing it. I am sure we will get some looks at him doing it in the preseason.” On if LB Paul Kruger’s role as a leader has changed or increased, particularly after the departure of former Browns LB Jabaal Sheard: “I see Paul taking on more of a leadership role. The good thing about it is that it is not forced. I just think that he feels very comfortable in the system coming off a very successful year a year ago. He sees a place, a void where he can step up and in his own way be a leader, and he has done it.” On LB Christian Kirksey’s season last year and what kind of jumps he has made in camp: “I thought Chris did some really good things for us last year. It was typical some rookie issues, but I thought for the most part, he handled it very well. He did a very nice job on special teams. He was kind of job sharing with (LB) Craig (Robertson) at that second linebacker spot. When (LB) Karlos (Dansby) got hurt, his reps went up and he responded and played well. He has taken that natural jump into Year 2. That is why we have very high expectations for him and obviously holding him to a very high standard.” On where Taylor fits on the defensive line: “He will be an inside guy. He will be in either A-gap or B-gap. He could be a shade, a nose or a 3-technique.” On who works in behind OL Joe Thomas if he were to miss time: “(OL) Cam (Erving) is a guy that would have to take some work there, as well. (OL Michael) Bowie can slide over as you mentioned. That is something we need to talk about just depending on if there is any time missed.”

Training Camp

Mike Pettine Press Conference - August 10