Greg Newsome II able to have ‘enjoyable’ in opposition to Bengals’ star receivers

BEREA — The Battle of Ohio hasn’t simply been a soccer combat between the Browns and Bengals over the past a number of years. It’s additionally been a trash-talking combat between Cleveland’s gifted cornerbacks and Cincinnati’s star-studded broad receivers.

That’s the additional layer to the newest version of the intrastate rivalry, one which already carries the extra weight of being the season opener. The 104th installment of the sequence is not anticipated to be any completely different.

“Oh yeah, we’ll definitely have fun out there,” Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II stated Sept. 1. “Every time we go against them. Like I said, our strengths are their strengths. So it’s always a fun game.”

Newsome, nonetheless, has discovered added pleasure within the opener. It could not have are available in the way in which he essentially hoped it might come — by means of a teammate’s damage — however he isn’t going to look a present horse within the mouth.

Martin Emerson Jr.’s coaching camp Achilles tear opened the door for Newsome to maneuver again to the surface cornerback spot reverse four-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward. It’s a spot the 2021 first-round decide has not often lined up at since Emerson got here into the league in 2022, which is when Newsome discovered himself moved inside to the nickle.

Just do not inform Newsome he is filling a spot. That’s not the way in which he views the transfer.

“My goal is not to fill any void,” Newsome stated. “As a player, I think I have the ability of any cornerback in the league. So my job is not to fill a void. My job is just to go out there and help my team win. So I’m back to my natural position. I’m super excited to do that and that’s what I was put on this earth to do as play outside corner, so I’m super excited.”

It’s been some time since Newsome has performed a majority of his snaps in opposition to Cincinnati on the surface. According to Pro Football Focus, just one time in six video games in opposition to the Bengals has most of his snaps been broad within within the slot.

That one got here got here in Week 9 of the 2021 season, a 41-17 Browns win in Cincinnati. Newsome performed 75 defensive snaps that recreation, with 73 at a large nook spot.

All of these snaps inside, nonetheless, are proving useful as Newsome strikes again exterior. He appears like a extra full defender now.

“I feel like now I have a more understanding of the game,” Newsome stated. “So being outside, I still will be able to see from the nickel’s eyes of everything. Being able to see the formation, being able to get run and pass keys. So now going back outside, obviously, the focus will be on my man when I’m in man, and I don’t have to really worry about too much stuff inside. But I also will be able to see certain tells from playing inside.”

What it additionally means is a wholesome dose of both Bengals All-Pro broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase or their high-impact No. 2 broad receiver, Tee Higgins. Chase is coming off a yr the place he led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and receiving touchdowns (17), whereas Higgins had 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ward goes to be possibility No. 1 for the Browns in opposition to Chase, however Newsome’s had his run-ins with him through the years. The Bengals’ star has been focused 16 instances whereas Newsome’s been in protection with 11 catches for 130 yards and a landing, though eight of these targets, 4 of these catches and 54 of these yards all got here within the two gamers’ rookie seasons in 2021.

“I mean we’ll definitely both get our share against him,” Newsome stated. “What makes him great is first is just the yards after catch. He’s a big, strong, physical fast player, so that’s a guy that you got to find a way to get on the ground. But I’m super excited for that matchup. Just going from rookies to now year five, that’s a guy that I’ve loved competing against.”

Higgins, who’s lined up on the surface on greater than 1,000 snaps over the past two seasons alone, is extra more likely to be the first foil for Newsome. The Browns’ fourth-year professional has achieved nicely in opposition to his Cincinnati counterpart through the years, having allowed only one 16-yard catch on 4 targets, and that catch got here in 2021.

That’s why Newsome was fast to level out Higgins when requested in regards to the “other” Bengals not named Chase.

“I don’t think he gets enough credit,” Newsome stated. “I feel like he’s really what makes that engine go as well. Obviously ,Jamar is the one of the, if not the best receiver in the National Football League, but without a guy like Tee Higgins, I don’t think he would be able to do all that stuff. You can’t just necessarily double him and think Tee Higgins won’t go for 300 yards as well.”

Chris Easterling will be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read extra in regards to the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports activities/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ