Dropcutt in the Postseason: Part II

by Chris Pokorny on Jan 12, 2008 10:26 PM EST in General News Comment 4 comments

Sequels usually occur several years apart from each other.

If you've followed the site for more than a year, then you'll know that I was always a fan of Dennis Northcutt and was sorry to see him go. I didn't feel he was a starting receiver, but I thought he was a capable slot receiver. He's playing in the postseason this year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and I know for a fact that a lot of Browns fans have been paying close attention every time the ball comes his way to see if he would drop another critical pass in the postseason. It didn't happen last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it just happened in the third quarter against the New England Patriots.

The Patriots have looked unstoppable on offense again, but the Jaguars were keeping pace through near-perfection football. Down 21-14 and facing a 3rd-and-11 from 21 yards away from the end zone, Jaguars quarterback David Garrard had a heavy blitz coming at him. He stood firm in the pocket though and delivered a beautiful throw over the middle to Northcutt. I'll let the pictures describe what happened:

The Jaguars kicked a field goal, and the Patriots quickly marched down the field to score a touchdown for their first two-possession lead of the game. The game is far from over as of this posting, but when you have a 16-0 Patriots team, Northcutt's drop has to be as painful for the Jaguars fans as it was for Browns fans several years ago.

I guess some things never change.

Update [2008-1-12 22:56:34 by ChrisPokorny]: In the fourth quarter, Northcutt attempted a straight-to-DVD Part III:

To Northcutt's credit, he did make a nice catch and run on the following fourth-down play. Still, the Jaguars lost the game.

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Re: Dropcutt in the Postseason: Part II

HA! I was about to come post on Northcutt.... One up on us all as usual Chris.

by vegasbrown on Jan 13, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dropcutt in the Postseason: Part II

I am assuming that you all have a clear memory of Northcutt's drop against the Steelers in the playoff game. I damned him to hell at the time, but I have since come to the conclusion that he did us all a favor.

A victory over the Steelers in the playoffs would have been greeted with such elation that Butch Davis's tenure would have been extended at least one, maybe two, seasons.

That would have been a bad thing.

by JamesPowell on Jan 13, 2008 12:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dropcutt in the Postseason: Part II

I was basically talking to myself during those plays, reliving that Steelers game. I will say that the second major pass he dropped there was pretty difficult. The only reason he dropped the pass near the end zone was because he heard some footsteps closing in on him fast. Man, do I feel for the Jags.

by dawgpounddaily on Jan 13, 2008 10:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Dropcutt in the Postseason: Part II

Man, did that Northcutt drop look familiar! On the replays it was clear that he took his eyes off the ball to look for the safety steaming toward him. Don't have to worry so much about getting popped by the defense if you drop the ball, huh Dennis? That drop might realistically have cost them the game. Maybe Northcutt really was just a fair punt returner after all. Glad we don't have to see him in Brown and Orange every week anymore.

by jester on Jan 14, 2008 8:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs