First impressions don't mean much this time of the year in the NFL. Browns coach Mike Pettine said so.

On Thursday, it was all talk, but a introductory news conference is a necessary evil. Words don't mean much eight months before the start of the 2014 season.

First things first: Pettine needs to ditch the light blue shirt and bright orange tie. Not a good look.

Onto more pressing issues.

Pettine did not win the news conference introducing him as the 15th coach in Browns history, but it was close. Some of his quotes were cool:

On his rise to becoming an NFL head coach: "I will always bet on myself."

On coaching in the AFC North: "You have to be willing to bloody your nose a bit."

On the Browns' future at the most important position: "It's foolish to not think about the quarterback position first then everything else after that."

On his sideline philosophy: "I've coached with a chip on my shoulder."

Most of the rest of Pettine's news conference was cluttered with cliches and dodging questions, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. It's not like I or anyone else in Cleveland have a choice.

It was refreshing to hear Pettine talk about the QB position with urgency. Pettine's coaching background is on the defensive side, but without stability at the position, he knows his tenure in Cleveland won't last long.

 The coach is in place, and there were few surprises among his comments. There wasn't much to see or hear. It all changes in mid-February in Indianapolis, the site of the annual NFL draft combine.

Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi will be scouting and beginning the process of deciding on a quarterback there. Whoever he is will likely decide Pettine's tenure - how long or short - as Browns coach.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo