Shurmur: Hardesty in Team Drills, Yount Getting Comfortable

Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur spoke with the media for the final time before this Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Most of the questions revolved around the return of running back Montario Hardesty to team drills, how long snapper Christian Yount has been doing in practice with Phil Dawson and Brad Maynard, and who will be starting at right defensive end this week. [Read full press conference transcript here]

(On how Montario Hardesty looked in practice)- "He actually had a good day. He did a little more than we thought so we’re hopeful that he’ll be more of a factor than he would have been last week."

(On if Peyton Hillis could handle the same workload as last week and perhaps more)- "We’re going to have to see. I think he handled a little more than I thought he would and then his body responded pretty well after the game. He’ll be in there playing. In my mind he’s healthy so we’ll just keep giving him the ball."

(On if his game plan changes if Hardesty is able to play)- "I think the plan is the plan and depending who’s available and healthy we’ll use them that way. Peyton and Montario can both really do the same things."

(On if there’s any clarity on who will start at right defensive end)- "Based on what we’ve seen, Jayme Mitchell came along so we’ll probably put Jayme over there at this point. Again, there’ll be other guys in there playing, but probably for the first snap that’s what you’ll see."

(On how Christian Yount has looked this week)- "I think he’s been very efficient and it seems like they’re working well together."

(On if he would go to the stadium on Saturday so Young could adjust to the wind)- "Typically, we’ll take care of that during the pre-practice session. I think that’s what they’ll do. They’ve been outside all week though. They come in-and-out so they’ve been practicing outside, but Phil’s (Dawson) very veteran, Brad’s (Maynard) very veteran and they have a routine and they’ll bring the new guy along."

(On if he knew Maynard was a safety in college)- "I didn’t know that, was he?"

(On Maynard having good hands)- "He does have very god hands. I don’t want to jinx him or anything, but he’s got very good hands. He’s a talented athlete. I’m assuming he can play basketball and golf and do all that other stuff too. That wouldn’t surprise me if somebody said he was good at other things."

(On how important it is for special teams to be flawless with a rainy forecast for Sunday)- "I think in this league you count on the snap, the hold and the kick. You count on it just like you do on the snap to the punter. You count on all those regardless of the weather and the conditions and I feel confident that we’ll get that done."