Juan Thornhill didn't think he could catch Marquez Valdes-Scantling on this 71-yard touchdown play, so he let up. Now he regrets it. (Yahoo Sports)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
A few weeks ago, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills said he made “a business decision” to not play in the Baltimore game because his right knee was not right.
On Monday, safety Juan Thornhill admitted he didn’t give good enough effort on a play in the New Orleans game on November 17.
Thornhill heard from the social media police when he stopped sprinting and jogged while chasing Saints receiver Marquez Valdes-Scalding on a 71-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown in the New Orleans game.
“That’s just not me as a player,” Thornhill said. “I never give up on plays. But me playing against MVS in Kansas City and playing with him, I knew his speed, if I’m being honest. He caught it [and I thought] ‘there’s no way I’m catching this guy.’ And then he got to the point where he started weaving, and I probably could have caught him maybe at, like, the 1- or 2-yard line if I had went all out.”
Thornhill said he likened it to chasing Tyreek Hill, another ex-teammate and one of the fastest players in the league.
“You know you’re not going to catch him. It was kind of the same mindset,” he said.
Thornhill shrugged off the criticism he received on social media. What he listened to, however, was the reaction he got from his coaches.
“We talked about it,” he said. “They were saying I need to give more effort on that play. I know it. They know it. Everybody knows it. It’s nothing I could hide from. It’s obvious I didn’t try as hard as I possibly could. Like I said, it just won’t happen no more.”
Thornhill said he went into the Pittsburgh game four days later with the mindset of “I would never do that again … that I’m going to play as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens.”
Thornhill had a better game against the Steelers.
Prior to the Saints game, Thornhill lost play time to backup Ronnie Hickman. In New Orleans, Hickman played 28 defensive snaps, Thornhill 23. But against Pittsburgh, Thornhill played 33 snaps and Hickman 22.
“Ronnie’s a good player,” Thornhill said. “I feel like Ronnie earned the opportunity to be on the field. So when they told me they wanted to see Ronnie play more, I understand. The guy, he’s made plays, so why have him on the sideline? In the long run, I feel it’s going to help us.”
In the longer run, Hickman may unseat Thornhill as the starting free safety in 2025. Thornhill hasn’t produced a turnover while banking $14 million in two seasons with the Browns. The last year of his three-year/$21 million contract contains no guarantees.
Return to Denver
The Browns will leave for Denver on Saturday for their Monday night game to get better acclimated to the mile-high altitude. The altitude helps to make Denver one of the toughest venues to win for all teams.
“It’s something you understand is going to be there,” said linebacker Jordan Hicks. “You have to prepare for it mentally, more than anything. Physically, you do everything possible to get your body in the best condition.
“If there’s a long drive, it’s tough. You try to get off the field as quick as possible. Early on I think you feel it, but once you get going you just fall into the course of the game.”
The Broncos are 308-183-7 (.626) all time at home. It was a Temple of Doom for the Browns in the 1980s when they lost the 1987 and 1989 season AFC Championship Games in old Mile High Stadium.
The Browns are 4-14 (.222) all time in Denver. They lost there last year, 29-12, with Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterback.
“I don’t put much stock in the history there,” coach Kevin Stefanski. “It’s a tough place to play regardless for any team that goes in there. We went in there last year and did not win.”
Sadly, the Browns have records worse than in Denver.
Denver equals Miami (2-7, .222) for third-worst. The Browns are 1-4 (.200) in Arizona for No. 2.
You can win a bar bet for knowing the Browns’ all-time worst record on the road.
It’s Detroit, where they are 1-12 (.076) all time. The Lions were Paul Brown’s nemesis in the 1950s. The only time the Browns won there was in 1983.
Brownie bits
Jedrick Wills (knee) was unable to practice, but Stefanski would not say if Germain Ifedi would make his second start at left tackle. :Let’s get through the week and see. But he’s doing a nice job,” he said …
Receiver Cedric Tillman and tight end Geoff Swaim remain in concussion protocol ...
A phalanx of camera crews descended on the Browns facility this week to record content for Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North. The series will chronicle the travails of the Browns, Ravens, Bengals and Steelers over the last six weeks of the regular season and the playoffs. It premiers on Tuesday, December 3 on HBO and will be available via stream on Max.