After spending the offseason and the start of the season as a starting receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dennis Northcutt was recently interviewed regarding his time with the Cleveland Browns.
It was a new organization in its second year when I went there. You know, everybody is the man in college. You're used to being on good teams and used to winning. When you go to the NFL, you don't have a choice where you go [laughing]. Cleveland was a great experience for me. I wouldn't say anything bad about Cleveland. I learned a lot. I built my career there, had seven great seasons there. The best coach [Terry Robiskie, currently the Miami Dolphins' receivers coach] I've ever had in my life taught me a whole lot when I was there. He taught me how to be a professional in this game, how to handle my business, how to be a receiver and how to approach this business. I think I built a great relationship with the owner and his family and met a lot of great people out there. I would never take anything from Cleveland. Sometimes, we're put in places for a reason, and you have to figure out that reason and make the most of it.
Q: What was your lowest moment there?
I'd have to say the last year, definitely. I think a lot of players go through this toward the end of their careers. When it's time, it's time. I think it was just my time to leave there. I went through five head coaches, six coordinators and 15 quarterbacks. So with the last new head coach and coordinator, I just didn't fit the scheme. I knew I wasn't a bad player. But sometimes, coordinators and coaches have a certain direction they want to go. And that's OK. I just tried to do the best I could to fit in and help. But I just didn't fit in there.
Q: How much of a departure is Jacksonville from Cleveland?
I love it, man. For me, it's great. I'm from Cali, went to school in Arizona and spent seven years in Cleveland with the snow and cold, the darkness. I love the atmosphere here. It's perfect. I don't go anywhere. I don't need any clubs. There doesn't have to be a whole lot of people out here. We have beaches and nice restaurants. It's pretty here, just a nice place to live. I love Jacksonville. It's good for me.
In three games this season, Northcutt is the leading receiver for the Jaguars with 11 catches for 169 yards. Punts have seldom come his way though; he's returned two punts for 13 yards.