TE David Njoku (9.27.23)

What do you see when you look at this Baltimore defense? 

“What do I see? I see a really good defense. I see a really good overall team. So we really have to bring our A game.”

 

What specifically stands out to you in the second? 

“They have great linebackers. They have a great D line. I believe some of their DBs are a little nicked, so we’ll see if they play. But like I said, overall good team.”

 

How encouraging was that performance from the passing game Sunday? 

“I think it was very encouraging, but I was here during camp so I’ve seen the great things we can do. So I think it was a good start and we have a lot left to do.”

 

Every week is a physical week, I understand. But this stretch that you’re in, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Baltimore after the bye, San Francisco. Teams that seem to be even more physical than the average NFL team, just do you feel that? Do you feel like a difference in the physicality of a game when you play certain teams, like a Baltimore and a Pittsburgh? 

“I feel nothing. I feel like it’s the NFL. It’s a physical sport and that’s it.”

 

What’s it  going to be like seeing a couple of former teammates. I don’t know if Odell (Beckham) will play, but Odell and then Jadeveon Clowney. 

“Yeah, yeah. It’s going to be exciting. You know, it’s always interesting seeing guys know were former teammates and then we go against them. So it’s awesome. I hope Odell plays. I hope Clowney moves. I hope I get to get after it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

 

Is it different because both of them kind of left in not the best circumstances?

“What are you asking?”

 

Is it different? Like is there any kind of different emotions? 

“Because that was my brother. You know what I mean? We’ve been through a lot together. Clowney, no, it’s a business. At the end of the day, he decided to go there and that was the biggest best for him. So kudos to them, you know what I’m saying? But we’re going to have a lot of fun on Sunday.”

 

Do you feel there’s kind of a breakout game coming for you? 

“I hope so. Yeah. Honestly speaking, at the end of the day, as long as we just keep winning, keep rolling, I’m happy. Whatever the team needs for me is what I’m going through.”

 

Just seems like that’s been untapped, part of the offense through three games. 

“Guess we’ll find out soon.”

 

Have you been being asked to do more sort of in pass protection and things like that? Know Dawand (Jones) starting one side and kind of helping him out?

“More? I don’t think so. I think we just have certain good game plans for each game and they work. I really feel like we haven’t even touched the surface, like scratched the surface because we have so much potential on offense. How much more defense and being rated number one. So like I said, we have a really good team right now. We have a really good thing going on and we got to just keep rolling.”

 

You’re starting to move up the franchise record books, catches by a tight end. 

Is that something that you pay attention to and is that something that’s meaningful to you? 

“I appreciate it. I feel like the numbers I need to work on, but, yeah, it’s nice to see that. And I think I have a long way to go.”

 

He asked you about a breakout game for you. Is it difficult not to think, hey, when am I going to get my turn? 

“When I see them Ws keep coming, it ain’t difficult to do anything. You get what I’m saying? Yeah.”

 

Is that something you’ve had to learn, though, to sort of just be patient and wait for your time to come and kind of be happy for that team success first?

“Learn? I feel like it’s more so instilled. Obviously, everybody wants to be successful. Everyone wants to make the game winning play, but at the end of the day, it takes all of us each play to be successful together. So, like I said, when Ws come in, I’m happy.”

 

When you say you have more to work on? What does that mean? 

“Everything. I mean, you saw me fumble week two, so obviously nothing perfect yet. So, yeah, just perfecting my crafts day in and day out, working on what I can do better.”

 

What do you think when you look at numbers for the defense? 

“F*cking dogs out there. They’re very intimidating. They have a really good thing going on, great momentum, great chemistry. So it just makes the offense really proud and happy to see them come together and make great plays.”

 

Do you feel like it takes pressure off the offense? Because you’re probably not going to score a bunch of points?

“To be honest, me personally, I love pressure. I love it. I feel like it pushes us to work that much harder to show that we’re also forced to reckon with, and that’s how great teams come by competing against each other, trusting each other and becoming great together.”

 

Has that been an ongoing thing throughout your career? Loving pressure.

“Man, I tell you. Yeah, I think so. I think just throughout my whole, like my whole time playing football, since high school, college, everything, I’ve always loved the atmosphere of being uncomfortable and everything.”

 

When you look at the other sideline and see Mark Andrews, a Pro Bowl tight end, what do you take from his game and what makes him so good? 

“He’s a beast. He’s a beast. He ain’t just good, he’s a beast. I feel like it’s his mentality, just fighting every play to do whatever he can. So, yeah, he’s an awesome player. He’s crazy, too, by the way. Personally, it’s crazy.”

 

McCartney told us last time we talked to him that he tells you that if you’re covered, you’re doing something wrong. Does he tell you that? And when he does say that.

“Going to be honest. Yeah. We take great pride in everything that involves being a tight end and that includes route running. But to talk about route running, yeah. If someone covers me or anybody else in the veteran room, it’s not acceptable. We take great pride in becoming open, having being that open valve for Deshaun (Watson), if anything goes left, he can trust in us that we’re somewhere open somewhere.”

 

 

Since Kevin (Stefanski) got here, this team’s 18 and nine at home. Do you feel that home field advantage finally starting to materialize for you guys? And just what does having a packed house going nuts do for you guys on the side? 

“Energy is second to none. The Dawg Pound brings it every time. I’ve been here for seven years, I’ve seen ups and downs and been seeing them always supporting it means the world to us.”

 

David, is it any different blocking for Jerome Ford than it was for Nick (Chubb)?

“What do you mean different?”

 

Well, I mean, is it different at all? I mean, I don’t know if you block the same is there different type runners or what? I’m just wondering. 

“Nick and I obviously, as you probably know, we’re very close, so it was really tough for me to see him go down like that. But I would say it’s not really different. At the end of the day, I feel like blocking is more of a mentality thing. You got to want to do it. If you don’t want to do it, then you’re not going to do it. It’s just that simple, really. So no, it’s not really different. I wish we still had him. Unfortunately, things happen and that’s that so Jerome it is.”

 

 

 

 

# # #

 

***Visit the Browns Media Center for materials provided by the Browns communications department, including media schedules, press releases, quotes, photos, media guides, rosters, depth charts and more.***