Tag: Cedric Tillman

Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

For the lead! Browns go ahead on late fourth-quarter touchdown

Jameis Winston to Cedric Tillman was hot!

Quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Cedric Tillman willed the Cleveland Browns to victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

In a thrilling second half, the Ravens pulled ahead 24-23 with just over two minutes remaining, but the Browns answered with a decisive nine-play, 69-yard drive to regain the lead 29-24 with under a minute to play. Quarterback Jameis Winston connected with receiver Cedric Tillman for his second touchdown of the game, a 38-yard strike. However, the ensuing two-point attempt to extend the lead to seven points was unsuccessful.

Winston completed six of nine passes on the drive for 74 yards, converting the only third down with a seven-yard pass to Elijah Moore. This stands as the Browns’ most impressive offensive showing of the season, with Tillman and Winston excelling behind improved protection from the offensive line.

With one defensive stop, the Browns could snap Baltimore’s five-game winning streak and end their own five-game skid. After a challenging start to the year, Cleveland’s offense showed renewed life in this standout performance against the Ravens.

Back on top: Browns re-take lead late in third quarter vs. Ravens

Jameis Winston keeps giving the Browns a chance to win.

The Cleveland Browns retook the lead from the Baltimore Ravens after Jameis Winston found wide receiver Cedric Tillman for a touchdown.

Immediately after Lamar Jackson and the Ravens reclaimed the lead, the Browns responded with a six-play, 72-yard touchdown drive to go back up 20-17 late in the third quarter. Quarterback Jameis Winston connected with receiver Cedric Tillman on a 22-yard strike to cap off the drive.

This is Winston’s second touchdown throw, the first going to tight end David Njoku.

The drive was ignited by Nick Chubb’s 15 rushing yards on two carries and an additional five yards on the ground from D’Onta Foreman. A 30-yard catch-and-run by receiver Jerry Jeudy was the biggest play, with the only third down being the touchdown pass to Tillman.

For the first time this season, the Browns have reached 20 points, with the offense accounting for every score. They’ve maintained consistent success on first downs, staying on schedule and setting up manageable situations on second and third downs.

While the offense shows plenty of life, the question remains: will they generate enough points and defensive stops to pull off an upset over Baltimore at home?

Can the Browns count on WR Cedric Tillman in 2024?

Year-two could be a big one for Tillman

The Cleveland Browns drafted wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft with the hopes that he could become a weapon they could lean upon in the passing game.

That did not come to fruition in his rookie season, however, as Tillman even spent some time as a healthy scratch on gameday. When Tillman was on the field as well, it did not always seem like he had a firm grasp on the playbook, with miscommunications leading to interceptions and pre-snap penalties.

After trading for Jerry Jeudy and drafting Jamari Thrash in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, reps might be hard to find for Tillman moving forward unless he takes a massive step forward this summer after a full offseason in the building.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has praised Tillman’s development and hard work this offseason, but will it be enough to see the field consistently? Only Amari Cooper and Jeudy are etched in front of him on the depth chart, so there is certainly an opportunity for Tillman to seize during training camp.

Even Pro Football Network believes in Tillman, naming him their breakout candidate for the Browns this season. Here is what PFN writer Tony Catalina had to say about the second-year receiver:

“The Browns added to their WR room this offseason with Jerry Jeudy, but their sophomore receiver could be the team’s breakout. The former Tennessee Volunteer showed promise last season, and Tillman will fight for more snaps in 2024. Early indications are that Amari Cooper and Tillman will play outside, with Jeudy playing in the slot.”

Elijah Moore likely has the lead to see more reps than Tillman early on, but Tillman has the size and speed combination that no other receiver in the room has. There is a role for him if he can seize it during training camp.

Having another body on the outside who can win at the catchpoint other than just Cooper would do wonders for the Browns. And with Cooper currently in a contract holdout in the last year of his deal, the development of Tillman could go a long way in Cleveland.

Baby steps need to be taken, but the Browns need Tillman to become a guy they can depend upon in 2024.

Browns Kevin Stefanski praises off-season improvement of WR Cedric Tillman

Tillman has put the work in this off-season

Third-round pick Cedric Tillman’s rookie year didn’t go according to plan for the Cleveland Browns. He struggled to adjust to the changes in the NFL. He wasn’t asked to run a diverse route tree at Tennessee, which showed as he struggled, especially on choice routes.

But it is hard to argue his talent if he can get the playbook down. He has some nice physical gifts that you can’t teach. His size and athleticism combo is impressive, and he could grow into a solid number two on this team.

In a recent ESPN article from Daniel Oyefusi, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski praised Tillman’s work and the improvement he has seen as a result.

“I don’t believe Ced missed a day of the offseason program… He was here every single day. I know he got better because of that. And I think he got better in the weight room, got better in the meeting room, definitely got better on the grass.”

Tillman will be in a crowded room but will be leaned on if there are any injuries at the position and it sounds like he is moving in the right direction to be ready if called on.

Browns Injury Report: Still no Amari Cooper or Cedric Tillman with Texans two days away

The Browns are getting set to take on the Texans in the Wild Card round, but need to get two receivers back to practice

As the Cleveland Browns prepare to take on the Houston Texans this weekend in the opening round of the playoffs, they are still without wide receivers Amari Cooper and Cedric Tillman in practice.

Cooper missed the final two games of the season against the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, and is listed as a rest-related “did not practice.” There is hope there is no fear of his status for Saturday’s game. Tillman, however, suffered a concussion against the Bengals and will be a further shot to suit up.

However, several other starters returned to practice, including Pro Bowlers Myles Garrett, David Njoku, and Joel Bitonio. Safety Juan Thornhill, who has been battling a calf injury all season, has also returned to practice with fellow defensive back Greg Newsome II.

All in all, the Browns are entering this Wild Card matchup as healthy as they have been in quite a while. Can they get Cooper and Tillman back to practice today in their final tune-up before they travel to Houston?

Here is every player who either missed practice or was limited in practice on Wednesday.

Browns Injury Alert: WR Cedric Tillman exits game vs. Bengals with a concussion

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman exits game vs. Bengals with a head injury

Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman suffered a concussion during the fourth quarter of the game versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Tillman hit his head on the turf after snagging an eighteen-yard pass. The rookie receiver was immediately escorted into the medical tent.

The Cleveland Browns rested most of their starters after securing the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs last week. The team hoped they could decrease the injury risk of their starting unit. Unfortunately, the Browns cannot escape the horrible injury luck that has haunted the team all season.

Tillman was finishing his rookie season on a strong note. The receiver became a big part of the offense after the Browns traded wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones at the trade deadline. Today, Tillman had three receptions for 43 yards.

The Cleveland Browns need Tillman’s physicality as the team starts their playoff run next week. The big-bodied receiver is an important threat on the outside. His style of play compliments fellow receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore perfectly. He is an important piece of the offense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Cedric Tillman by the numbers against New York

Former Vol Cedric Tillman by the numbers against New York.

Cleveland (11-5) defeated New York (6-10), 37-20, Thursday at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio during Week 17.

Former Vol Cedric Tillman recorded one reception for eight yards against the Jets. He was targeted four times.

Tillman played wide receiver at Tennessee from 2018-22 for head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

He recorded 109 receptions, 1,622 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns and averaged 14.9 yards per reception at Tennessee.

Tillman is one of nine Tennessee players in school history to record a 200-yard receiving game. He recorded 10 receptions for 200 receiving yards and one touchdown against Georgia.

Cleveland will next play Sunday at Cincinnati. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cedric Tillman by the numbers against Houston

Former Vol Cedric Tillman by the numbers against Houston.

Cleveland (10-5) defeated Houston (8-7), 36-22, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas Sunday during Week 16.

Former Vol Cedric Tillman recorded two receptions and seven receiving yards for Cleveland.

Tillman played wide receiver at Tennessee from 2018-22 for head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel.

He recorded 109 receptions, 1,622 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns and averaged 14.9 yards per reception at Tennessee.

Tillman is one of nine Tennessee players in school history to record a 200-yard receiving game. He recorded 10 receptions for 200 receiving yards and one touchdown against Georgia.

Cleveland will next play on Thursday versus the Jets. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. EST at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.