Despite achieving a positive outcome in their Week 1 win against the Carolina Panthers, the Cleveland Browns had some key contributors put out some well-below average showings in the two-point victory. Tight end David Njoku was among those who were unable to get off to much of a start during the season opener, and the Browns’ coaching staff is already hard at work figuring out how to make sure there isn’t a re-run of the inadequate performance in Week 2.
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt spoke to the media on Thursday about what caused the uncharacteristic showing, telling reporters that he didn’t notice that Carolina did anything special to hold Njoku to just one catch for seven yards.
“I would not say that they did anything to take him out..” He explained. “They did not double-team him or anything like that. David’s production was huge in the game, not just on the catches but his ability to run block and what he does with his physicality is special. He is a big, big part of our success in the run game, as well. We will get him more involved. We had him on a down-the-field throw using his speed. The linebacker added on late and it was our only sack of the game, but he was running wide open and that would have been a huge play to David if we had got that pressure picked up.”
Cleveland won’t be able to go without their star tight end in any of their remaining matchups in 2022 and was lucky to escape Week 1 unscathed after Njoku struggled so mightily. The Browns are certainly on an upswing, but without every member of the team pulling at full force in the same direction, it will be exceptionally hard to get into the playoffs and beyond.
Expect a huge effort to get Njoku the ball in space this week, and for Jacoby Brissett to get the ball into his hands early and often as he looks to establish a rapport with the talented tight end.
