In search of fresh material, I found this excellent film-session by Jake Burns on David Njoku, and why he can become a truly lethal offensive weapon.
Just check it out--I already get all the receiver stuff, but Jake brought me up to date on Njoku's inconsistent but maturing blocking skills:
David Njoku can be a "full-spectrum" tight end, and not just a K2III-type oversized wide receiver.
The reason why the current Ourlads Browns Depth Chart lists both Fells and Njoku as starters (with Chubb and two wide receivers) is the fact that both offensive tackles have been having issues in pass-protection.
You whippersnappers often don't get this, but REAL tight ends are expected to block. No, I'm serious!
There are even a few dinosaurs still around who are real tight ends, like Ben Watson, and any Steelers tight end, and...errumm...Witten, who just retired, and...
Anyway, Darren Fells is primarily a "blocking" tight end (you youngsters are at least familiar with that).
...but I digress: Njoku has screwed up a lot as a blocker, but has the reach and willingness to become really good at it.
This is important. Defenses treat most of these "pass-catching" tight ends as receivers; ie they use extra defensive backs and zones when they show up in a huddle.
David Njoku can really screw this up if he can become a better in-line blocker.
As we saw vs the Chiefs, Duke Johnson as a receiver attacks the same inside short and intermediate zones that tight ends attack.
Nick Chubb is a serious runner (and so is Duke, for that matter).
All of this adds up to a "ball of confusion" for enemy defensive coordinators trying to match up their defensive personnel and schemes to the guys they see in the Browns' offensive huddle when Njoku is part of it (which is always).
Fells is sneaky, because he is a masssively underrated short and red-zone receiver; but opposing defenses will always treat him like a blocker (*for some reason, per PFF, Fells has, since becoming a Cleveland Brown, gone from one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL to below average, but that can't last*).
Fells was helping out Desmond Harrison on the edge, first and formost. But at right tackle, Hubbard has been targetted and overmatched by edge-rushers too, so don't expect Fells to go away anytime soon, even if Greg Robinson at long last lives up to his pre-draft billing.
Todd Haley had his way (or the highway) of doing things, but I'm hoping that the two-tight end base offense (ie a "12"-set with one running back) is a Kitchens recipe:
Njoku has dropped way too many passes so far, and blown too many blocks (notably in pass-protection), but he actually has big soft hands, and all the tools.
He was inexperienced and raw when he was drafted in 2017. But he means business, and is frankly ahead of schedule.
As you should know, I'm a big Rodney DeValvefield fan, but Seth is too short to be a reliable in-line blocker (which is why he's been tried at fullback as well as H-back oknevermind...)
Jake Burns covers David Njoku and his potential admirably, but what I'm addressing here is the Browns' probable offense going forward.
I have repeatly repeated that the Browns do not need more wide receivers. David Njoku and Duke Johnson are two reasons why.
Look: Both Ratley and Callaway are legitimate deep threats (among other things), but Baker Mayfield is most effective in "three step drop" territory, decisively getting rid of the ball in under 2.2 seconds, and (of course) with the help of a strong running game (with play-action).
Two REAL tight ends work out for him perfectly here, especially when the real wide receivers are Callaway, Ratley, Higgins, and guys named Joe!
I'm kinda burned out on this clueless punditry in re the Browns receivers.
If a reciever drops a pass, you BENCH him! If the other guy drops one, you bench HIM. Maybe you give the first benchee a second chance, or let number three have his shot, but eventually, your message will penetrate their skulls: CATCH THE DAMN BALL OR ELSE DUH.
The 2018 Browns have LOTS of star receivers.
Ask Baker Mayfield (no seriously, ask him!)
Anyway, you whippersnappers, I remember popgun Montana winning several Superbowls with dink-passes, while Marino won zip. YOU should remember Tom Brady winning several in this manner.
Receivers are receivers, regardless of how they're labelled on the depth chart. All Baker Mayfield needs are guys who don't drop the damn ball.
I have hope that Gregg Williams at Head Coach, and Freddie Kitchens (a former quarterback) will not tolerate drops, as Jackson and (especially) Haley did.
There are a bunch of reasons why the Browns haven't won at least six games in 2018. Dropped passes is right up there with referees and botched kicks.
Time to man up, Njoku.
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