CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel took questions from reporters on Tuesday regarding taking first team reps, the quarterback room, Myles Garrett, and more.
Below is the transcript as provided by the Browns media relations department:
So, Dillon, when you take those reps with the first team offense against the first team defense, how valuable is that? And does your mindset change at all?
“Yeah, I think, you know, you’d like to say that you don’t change the circumstances. You know, I try to approach every single day like that and control what you can, and that’s just being ultimately your best in that moment. And the best competitors I’ve been around have been the best at being present.”
Dillon, you talked at rookie minicamp about your process of picking up a new playbook is you basically just have to go through it. How do you feel like you’ve gotten through it so far? It’s only been a month or so, but how do you feel like that process has gone so far?
“Yeah, I’d say two words, just continuous improvement. And in this profession, I think there’s a bunch of progression and regression, but just your ability to manage that as fast as possible, I think that allows you to create improvement at a faster pace. So, I’ve just been approaching it like that and, you know, eager to learn every single day, just approach this like a student.”
In your college career with three different teams, did you do much play action from under center?
“Yeah, of course. You know, I think at one point I was the play action king, I guess. We did a lot of play action early on, but…”
Which spot was that at?
“UCF. But, you know, I think that’s just part of it. You’d love to use play action to your advantage. But in anyway, in any sense, you gotta be present in that moment for that key play and adjust, but definitely have done play action.”
What’s it like for you to look across and see Myles Garrett over there and know that you’ve got to operate with someone like that across [from you]?
“Well, yeah, I think in one play you definitely see that, in one of the team periods. But very happy he’s on our team, but also, he’s just his competitor. That’s what you look forward to; playing against the best and him being able to be out here today and us compete, that’s huge and getting everyone back together.”
Kevin Stefanski was talking about who was on the line in seven-on-seven to try to help the quarterbacks feel the pocket. Have you ever done a seven-on-seven like that before you came here and then if so, like, do you feel there’s a benefit?
“Yeah, I think, you know, everyone’s had their way of doing it. You know, I’ve had tennis racquets in front, guys walking forward. I’ve had shoulder pad shields, nine-on-nine. I’ve done kind of the mixture of it all, but, you know, all to find a solution to one problem. So I have done it, but, not the level that we’re doing here.”
It might feel different for you in the NFL, but do you have like a time frame where it feels like you’re creating a connection in your years in college, and have you started to feel that here at this level?
“Yeah, I think it’s just reps, you know, and you try to maximize your reps with guys, but, you know, anytime you can get extra reps as well, that’s huge. But trying to balance that out with timing is key and something you need to do. But I think, you know, just from day one to this point, there’s continuous improvement, for sure.”
So, when you’ve had a few weeks out there now with Joe (Flacco) and Kenny (Pickett) also out there, ow has it been like working with them, I guess and how have you picked their brains?
“Yeah, I think just a diverse room, diversity and experience and you just appreciate those guys because I think what we’ve done as a room really well is the inability to dwell on the past. You know, we’re just extremely present. And, you know, I was just curious, does anyone know how many minutes Joe has played in the playoffs? Like the guy has played 606 snaps, like this guy knows the game and has done it at a high level. So, I think there’s a lot of juice in the squeeze, but you got to ask the right questions, and that’s what I try to approach every single day, same with Kenny.”
Did you research that on your own that he had 606 snaps, or did one of the coaches mention it or what?
“Well, I’m not going to walk into a situation and not know what I’m walking into. So, you know, I like to know a little bit about my teammates. And I think just in general, if you approach the game as a student, you learn every single day and you improve every single day. So that’s just how I’ve been.”
Have you gotten much out of the virtual reality?
“You know, I think there’s a balance to everything. You know, you could ask me the same thing, do I get much out of film? Do I get much out of walk throughs? I think for any player, you’ve got to find what works for you and for me, I love the balance of a lot of things. You know, walkthroughs are key for muscle memory and being able to visualize. I think film helps you get clear pictures defensively, but also, you know, see different looks in a certain concept. And I think virtual reality kind of goes in that boat as well. So, I would say I’ve used it before. I’ve used it, you know, as much as I can. But also, film walk throughs and just talking ball. So, it’s kind of a mix of everything.”
Dillon, you’ve been through rookie minicamp and OTAs and now your first day of minicamp. What has been the biggest challenge for you in all three steps since arriving?
“I think just being able to adapt as quick as possible. You know, I think that’s a challenge for anyone. There’s a time within that you have to work through. But I think I just go back to being present, you know, and not being able to dwell on a regression or get too high with a progression, you know, and being just even-keeled throughout that. So, I’ve been trying to just stay balanced in that way. But every single day there’s something to get better at. So just approaching it that way for sure.”
When you talk about there’s always something to get better at, when you’re going through the seven-on-seven and 11-on-seven, 11-on-11 at this stage, how do you measure success?
“You love to stay process driven. You know, I think for a lot of people it’s a results-based business, so let’s not get that wrong. But you have to have a process behind it to be able to create consistent results. And, you know, I think whether it’s a microwave mentality or, you know, that Amazon lifestyle of wanting it right away, sometimes it’s just not the case. So being able to have a process, stick to it, continue to listen to your coaches, you know, and try to get better that way. That’s what I want to do. I want to build a solid foundation so that you’re banking on the process and then allowing that to have consistent results.”
Dillon, you mentioned the importance of asking good questions to be able to fully get the most out of Kenny (Pickett) and Joe’s (Flacco) experience. What are some of the questions you’ve asked and what are their answers in those situations?
“Yeah, I think for the most part it’s. It’s more so their experiences, whether it’s a certain concept or, you know, what they’ve done in the past just day to day and a daily routine, but it’s also just shooting the s**t, you know, and just being the guys, because I think that’s when you’re able to just connect the most in an authentic way. And for me, I just ask myself like, have I been my most authentic self today? And that’s through just asking real questions that they got real answers to.”
Can you give us an example of just one of those conversations so we could paint the picture?
“Yeah, I would just say, you know, when we talk through a certain concept, couldn’t give you the name, but you know, if you think conceptually about a play, it could truly – the intent to play could change just based on how you think of it. And we had to play this off season of, you know, maybe if it’s man or zone, you play it this way or you see it this way, but a footwork, your eyes starting somewhere could change the whole place. So, appreciate, you know, Joe (Flacco) and Kenny (Pickett) for their perspective on that.”
Dillon, it looks like they are heaping a lot on your plate, not only to get you ready to play, but also to kind of figure out what works or what might not work as they’re putting this whole new scheme together. So, I’m just wondering, you know, how do you find that to be where you are kind of having to take some of the heat or the brunt of figuring out this offense while you’re learning it?
“Yeah, that’s the challenge, right? But as a competitor, you walk into that challenge and face it head on. That’s what you appreciate about the game too. And you know, I think everyone in this game sees themselves as starters and that belief of self is why a lot of guys are in the NFL. So, you just continue to improve, continue to challenge yourself. And not a lot of people love it, but failure creates growth. Yet we live in a production-based business, so it’s hard for people to understand that balance.”
Have you ever had a teammate as big as Dawand Jones?
“I have. Paul Rubelt, 6-11, tackle. So yeah, I’ve luckily been able to play with three first round tackles, seen 6-11 Germany tackles. So, you know, Dawand’s just adding to the repertoire of diversity, so I’m appreciative of that.”
What did that guy, the 6-11 guy, what did he weigh?
“Gosh, I couldn’t tell you. I wasn’t with him when he hopped on the scale. But I hope a good weight.”
How do you balance trying to stay process driven with thinking about winning a starting job and maybe evaluating yourself versus the other three guys?
“Yeah, I think for many people that’s tough, you know, and I’ll go back to like, failure creates growth, but we are in a production-based business, so it’s hard for people to balance that. And for me, you know, I just continue to stick to the process, you know, and try to create completions, try to be understanding of the situation. But also, you know, I have belief in myself and everyone at this level does as well. That’s why they’re here. But for the most part, you know, how can you create value right away today and be the best? And I keep going back to it, but the best competitors are the best at staying present. So, my ability to just be right where my feet are, be with you and, you know, be as honest as I can, that’s all I can do.”
How did that ball to the corner of the end zone at Jamari Thrash feel?
“Felt good. You know, I think Jamari’s just a talented individual, but just how smart he is and understanding, maybe a man beating play, but to be able to create leverage and win in zone coverage, it allows it, you know, to be a lot easier on my end. And then him making a, you know, outstanding catch. So, he’s great in the time I’ve been around him and look forward to continuing that.”
When you mentioned learn from Kenny (Pickett) and Joe (Flacco), how involved is Deshaun (Watson) behind the scenes and what did you pick up from him?
“Great question. You know, he’s been a guy I’ve connected with as well and he’s actually a guy I sit by in, our O-line meetings, even in our offensive unit meetings. So just being able to be around him and, you know, nudge him and ask a question, whether it’s for confirmation or his thought. But also when we’re talking through concepts, I think it’s super cool that we do have five guys in the room that kind of can speak to their own experience. And even Deshaun this morning, you know, talking through a concept and kind of how he sees it in the red area, and you know, I even go back, that it can change the play in a big way, just how you think of it. So, you know, appreciate him a bunch too, just sharing all his knowledge.”
You mentioned the phrase Amazon lifestyle, what is that?
“Yeah, Amazon lifestyle is like – and I don’t mean Amazon in the jungle. I mean Amazon, like Amazon Prime. You know, you get on your phone and you order it, it’s there to you right away. And I’m not saying we should wait seven days, right? But I’m just saying sometimes there’s some work within that or a microwave just heating your food up in 30 seconds rather than cutting it up, seeing the process of it. I think throughout that journey, it’s a lot more rewarding and you learn more through that.”
When you’re not taking reps and you’re watching, what are you looking for the most? Like, what are you focusing on?
“Yeah. I think you want to take as many mental reps as you can, and you want to work through the footwork and try to play through the progression yourself. But within that, too, within practice, you know, whether it’s conversations with Coach (Bill) Musgrave or, you know, any quarterback back there and say, ‘Hey, how’d you see this?’ I think there’s a balance of discussion, but also a mental rep. So, I try to manage it that way.”
Football Insider newsletter free trial: Take a minute and sign up for a free trial of our Football Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive content from cleveland.com's Browns reporters.