Shurmur: Update on Hardesty's Chances of Playing, Browns Haven't Won a Coin Toss Yet

In his Wednesday press conference, Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur met with the local media and provided what seemed to be some more encouraging news about running back Montario Hardesty and his chances of contributing this week. He was also asked about the Browns being 0-for-9 on coin tosses to start off games, among other things. [Read full press conference transcript here]

(On if Hardesty has a chance to play Sunday)- "I think he does.  Again, we’ll know more based on how he progresses today and tomorrow so we’ll see.  I know he’s anxious to get back out there and I think he’s looking forward to being healthy again.  It’s just a matter of when he can do it physically."

(On taking a cautious approach with bringing Hardesty back)- "I think it’s important that we make sure he’s right before we put him out there.  I think that’s the case with any injury and a running back dealing with a calf strain, I think that’s probably the same."

(On if Hardesty would be full go if he could play)- "I don’t think he’ll have the number of carries he had in some of the games, but if he’s ready to go we’ll use him.  We’ll try to get him back in the flow."

(On how far Hillis is away from practicing)- "It’s hard to say right now.  Maybe as soon as next week, I can’t tell you that exactly, but it may be a couple more.  We’ll just have to see how this thing progresses, but I know he’s working extremely hard to get back.  I know he’s really attacking the rehab and keeping his strength up. He’s doing what he can do behind the scenes to get ready."

(On Dimitri Patterson coming back from injury)- "He looked good yesterday running around.  He actually made a lot of plays.  He finds a way to get his hands on the ball and it was good to see him out there.  I think he felt good after practice, your first day back you are curious as to if there’s soreness that develops. I think he felt good so we’ll get him one day closer."

(On if Jayme Mitchell being active, but not playing last Sunday)- "Emmanuel (Stephens) came in and did a nice job. We had him and Auston (English) basically in backups roles in case we needed them. Jayme will be up and ready to go."

(On if he has a positive or negative interaction with Browns fans when he does go out)- "I’m sure there’s a little bit of both.  There are people that are encouraging and then there’s also folks that may be a little bit frustrated.  It’s just part of it.  I think I understand it. I think I do and I appreciate everybody’s passion and I think I get it."

(On the team being 0 and 9 on the coin toss this year)- "Really? Wow, I didn’t think of that.  I probably should know that.  0 and 9 really?"

(On the team that wins the coin toss having a slightly higher percentage of winning the game)- "Wins the actually game? Well, then we better win the coin toss (joking)."

(On if there’s any advantage to have the ball at the beginning of the game)- "We did do a study on that when I was back in Philadelphia.  It was one of those long winter weeks I guess so we’re deciding what to do and we did a study. I don’t know how they got the information, but it was so meaningless, the difference about whether you have the ball first to start the game or first to start the second half whether you win the game or not.  I do know statistically you always talk about winning the fourth quarter, it’s very, very important.  But, statistically if you can get ahead in the game that’s where you give yourself a better chance, statistically."

(On they would take the ball if they ever won a coin toss)- "Oh yeah.  Sure, absolutely."

(On if they need to practice the coin toss)- "We’ll have a meeting about the coin toss (joking). I don’t think we are going to do that. "