Browns rookie Martin Emerson Jr. shows with one play why his ceiling is still so high

Browns rookie Martin Emerson Jr. shows with one play why his ceiling is still so high

Jackson ville  Fla You just forget the first half.

   Well, most of that first half.

   It was ugly for the Browns in their first game of the 2022 season  especially the first 15 minutes.  Cleveland quickly went on a 13-0 run and Deshaun Watson was the rookie.  In his first direct action in 19 months, Watson completed 1 of 5 attempts for 7 yards and had a 39.6 passer rating over the three game series.  Along with five supporting bowlers, Amari Cooper, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin, Watson was also in the offense.

   But despite the ugly, ugly start, let's focus on the positives, shall we?

   Overall, the Rogues had a great night and Martin Emerson Jr. showed once again that he is as advertised with game play.

   CJ Beathard, a 6-foot-2 Emerson receiver, made a short catch on a pass from Jeff Cotton Jr.  But instead of giving up, he used his long arms  which measured 33 1/2 inches for dB at the top of the spectrum and reached over Cotton's head, knocking the ball out of his grasp.  Wrestled and returned 75 yards for a touchdown, Brown put it up 14-13.

   It was the first time in the game that Emerson had intercepted a steal.

   I have  actually Mississippi State  1 on 1 practiced, but in a real life game no I have not Emerson told reporters after the game. It is a great moments, it is nice to take it home from him.

   I was playing up and down, it came back in a snap, I was really trying to break the ball, but when I went to rip it, I hit it on my hand, bounced, had to take it there.

   Electric Play had fellow Pro Bowl corner Denzel Ward  nursing a foot injury he's been sidelined since June  tweeting, That was tough.  This led to Emerson winning a bet with his Pro Bowler teammate.

   However, Emerson declined to elaborate after the win.

   It is  a friendly bet  Emerson said.   That is all you can ask of him.

   The play gave Cleveland a much needed spark in a 24-13 win.  But it also serves as a microcosm that explains why Emerson's ceiling is so high and why the Browns felt like they were potentially getting a steal when he outfitted him with No. 68 this year.

   Prior to the draft, Emerson was projected anywhere from the second to fifth rounds.  But the Browns a team that values ​​good corners the most  really appreciated his 6-2 frame and the relentlessness he was known for at Mississippi State.

   Emerson may be shy off the field, but a switch has flipped on the field.  He was part of the first camp pseudo-scramble during the Browns' first padded practice last week, joining Donovan Peoples Jones after pushing a receiver out of bounds on a play during an 11-on-11 segment.  The two made it out without incident, but definitely showed a certain level of fearlessness and an ability to use their size as cheaters.

   Also made a pick-6 on Friday.

   I am  sure it helped me Emerson said of his size.  I pride myself on being physical, I was really strong, trying to be real physical, get my hands on, maybe if I got out a little bit early, let me work on my technique, let me, being physical, play that game.

   The play also showed why most SEC teams were unwilling to throw Emerson's way during his college career.

   Emerson had just one interception at Mississippi State, a pick in 2019.  He was targeted on just 13.3% of his coverage snaps in 2021.  In 2020, just 15.2% on those snaps.  That was such a small sample size that Brown was convinced it didn't tell the full story of his potential.

   Emerson said he's excited to be tested more as a player after the game, as teams work their way through more often.  It's an opportunity he's ready for, and has helped fight common rookie nerves.

   I used to be more afraid, he said.  Like in college I used to be a little nervous, but now I'm like, I'm here for a reason, I have worked hard for this moment and I'm ready to go out and show my teammates and build my confidence. Train and show them what I can do