CLEVELAND -- Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku began his second training camp much like his first, with plenty of frustrations over his troubles consistently hanging onto the football, and to combat those issues, has spent extra time after practice working with quarterback Tyrod Taylor, offensive coordinator Todd Haley and wide receiver Rashard Higgins.
And while Njoku struggled his way through the first two weeks of training camp, just as he did a season ago, there was plenty of productivity in Thursday night’s 20-10 victory over the New York Giants in the 2018 preseason opener at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Njoku led the way with two touchdown receptions in the victory.
“I’ve never wavered on my excitement about him,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said following the win. “I just think it’s hard work. He’s just got to put his head down and keep working. That’s what he’s done. I think you see the improvement in that.
“He spends a lot of time after practice improving at that skill, and I think if he’ll continue to do that, along with the rest of our guys, if we continue to do that, by the time we get to the regular season, I think we’ll be ready to go.”
PHOTOS: David Njoku catches two touchdowns in Cleveland Browns' preseason win over New York Giants
Taylor spent extra time after a recent training-camp practice working on route-running and pass catching with Njoku, and that work paid off in the form of a go-ahead first-quarter touchdown against the Giants.
Njoku caught a 16-yard throw from Taylor at the 20-yard line, and then, outhustled Giants defenders down the field before diving across the goal line for the score, which gave the Browns a 7-3 lead over the Giants with 2:55 to play in the first quarter.
With a no-huddle look to the offense, Taylor needed just four plays to lead the Browns 66 yards down the field for the go-ahead score.
“The receivers did a great job of winning their matchups, beating the man-to-man, and ultimately, ended it with a big play to David,” Taylor said. “They blitzed the safety off the edge. A linebacker had to cover David from inside out, and that’s a great matchup for us. He did a great job of getting his eyes around at the right time, making a play and finishing it.”
Njoku was far from done leaving his mark on the preseason opener.
With the Browns facing a second-and-goal from the Giants’ 10-yard line, first-year quarterback Baker Mayfield fired a pass to the back of the end zone, where despite heavy coverage from New York’s secondary, Njoku pulled in the touchdown reception.
Njoku’s second receiving touchdown of the game gave the Browns a 13-3 lead over the Giants with 6:43 to play in the first half.
“Obviously, David played well, had the first touchdown with Tyrod, and ours down there,” Mayfield said.
“He just did a great job winning. The coverage they ran, he’s got to beat his man across and make it all the way, so going through my read, he won, so I put it up there for him. He’s a big dude, so I put it up only where he could get it, and he made a great play.”
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