BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – David Njoku authored one of the greatest catches in the Browns expansion era Sunday afternoon in a 23-17 come-from-behind win over the Buccaneers.
Replays of the spectacular one-handed grab have been running on repeat throughout northeast Ohio a day later.
“I had the best seat I think in the house, and I was on the field at the same time,” receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones said. “It was an amazing catch. Ball placement was excellent, where only he could get it. He went up and I saw the one hand and it happened in slo-mo. I couldn’t believe it.”
Njoku broke through the middle of the end zone, leaped and stuck his left hand out above his head, where it met the football thrown by quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He brought it to his chest as he went to the ground and FirstEnergy Stadium erupted.
“Great catch. Probably the catch of the year,” rookie cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. said. “It's hard. That catch and that Justin [Jefferson] catch is probably catch of the year. Oh and George Pickens, the one he got on me too, that was a good one. But yeah, that was a great catch. I'm happy for him. In a big moment, that’s what we work so hard for, for moments like that.”
Believe it or not, Brissett wasn’t crazy about the play in practice leading up to the game.
“You don’t want to call many plays that the quarterback does not like,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “In fact, you throw a lot of plays off the gameplan sheet if the quarterback does not like them. We had a look in practice on Friday on that play, a similar look, and we talked through where the ball could go. Basically said, ‘Hey, it is Dave one on one with the MIKE linebacker who will have his back turned to you.’ We talked through that rep. We did not get a live rep of throwing that.”
Njoku’s grab on fourth-and-10 with 37 seconds remaining allowed the Browns to tie the game at 17 and ultimately force overtime against future Hall of Famer Tom Brady at Tampa Bay, which Cleveland won thanks to Nick Chubb’s 3-yard TD run up the gut with 19 ticks remaining in the extra period.
“That’s what makes our job truly special,” Peoples-Jones said. “It is truly a game of inches and that play showcased how true that statement is.”
Emerson’s shutout – Rookie cornerback Martin Emerson pitched a shutout against Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans Sunday.
Seven targets, zero catches with Emerson on Evans.
“I feel like I watched a lot of film and I was very confident going into that game,” Emerson said. “And it was more about just executing. And I feel like I did pretty well.”
Stefanski has repeatedly praised Emerson this season and complimented his mindset and toughness. Where that could take the No. 68 overall pick in the 2022 Draft remains to be seen but it seems clear that the sky is the limit.
“You don’t really want to put a ceiling on a young player,” Stefanski said. “He just to me is somebody who just continues to get better. He works really hard at it with his coaches, Again, mentality wise… people go after rookie corners, they just do. He doesn’t shy away from it. He makes plays on the football. Obviously, had the one penalty there, but I think that is the occupational hazard of playing corner. They are going to go after you and you are going to get beat every once in a while, but he keeps coming back and is resolute in that way.”
Happy returns – Peoples-Jones had a great day returning punts. He racked up 75 yards on five returns for a 15.0 yards per return average, by far the best by a Browns returner in a game this season.
“I feel like I am getting better. I feel like I am improving,” Peoples-Jones said.
“The guys really were helping me out a lot yesterday with the blocks and opening up lanes for me to cut through. That definitely played a part in my confidence in the return game yesterday, as well.”
For all the grief special teams coordinator Mike Priefer has taken this season for his unit’s performance, Priefer deserves praise for giving the offense great field position all afternoon Sunday.
“I thought our special teams were outstanding [Sunday], and we didn’t on offense do enough with some of that field position, but it was a field position game,” Stefanski said. “I was really proud of Donovan. He got north-south. He made people miss. It is nice to have him in those weather games. The wind is blowing and the rain is coming, and you have a ton of confidence in him – he has done it so often. Jerome, I think he is a pretty good returner. He hasn’t done it a ton in his career – I know he didn’t do it in his past – but he has shown that he has vision, he has speed and he is definitely a threat for our team.”
Roster moves – With the return of Deshaun Watson to the 53-man roster at 4 p.m. Monday, the Browns waived quarterback Joshua Dobbs to make room. If Dobbs clears waivers Cleveland is likely to sign him to the practice squad.
The Browns also signed offensive tackle Myron Cunningham to the practice squad and placed offensive tackle Will Holden on practice squad/injured. The team also released receiver Chester Rogers from the practice squad.
Injury report – Greg Newsome II (concussion), A.J. Green (concussion)
Up next – Players off Tuesday, practice Wednesday