DENNIS NORTHCUTT Dennis the Menace becoming Browns' breakout receiver

The third-year player has 500 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
BEREA (AP) -- Like one of his dazzling punt returns, Dennis Northcutt has found an opening and brought his NFL career all the way back.
Northcutt was a longshot to make Cleveland's roster this summer following two seasons filled with injuries, dropped passes and muffed punts.
Now it's hard to imagine where the Browns would be without him.
"I'm just trying to make big plays," said the speedy third-year wide receiver and punt returner. "I always felt like I could help this team win."
He's done much more than help.
Northcutt, who is used exclusively on passing downs, has become Cleveland's most versatile and dangerous offensive weapon. When the Browns need a big play, he usually gives them one with a few head fakes, zigs, zags and cutbacks.
To opponents, he's become Dennis the Menace.
Strong play
During last week's victory at Cincinnati, Northcutt converted five third-down receptions into first downs. In Week 8, he outjumped two New York Jets defenders to wrestle away a two-point conversion in Cleveland's comeback win.
"We're just trying to utilize him anyway we can," Browns coach Butch Davis said. "We run reverses to him. We throw the ball deep to him. He's outstanding."
Entering Sunday's game against New Orleans, Northcutt has 34 catches for 511 yards and five touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder is also the AFC's second-leading punt returner, averaging 16.1 yards per return, with two touchdowns.
Despite not starting a game this season, Northcutt is the Browns' clear-cut MVP.
"I appreciate that," Nortchutt said when told that was the consensus among several teammates. "I just look at it that hard work has paid off. I want to make things happen."
Most of what he made happen in his first two seasons wasn't very memorable.
High expectations
After being drafted by the Browns with the 32nd overall pick in the 2000 draft, Northcutt caught 39 passes as a rookie. However, he probably dropped half that many.
Bigger things were expected from him in 2001, but Northcutt broke his collarbone just before the start of training camp when he slipped on a rock trying to save a friend's child from falling at a picnic.
He missed three preseason games, then had his clavicle broken again during the final exhibition. Northcutt didn't make his regular season debut until Week 4, then didn't play in the Browns' last two games.
When Cleveland used a second-round pick on wide receiver Andre' Davis in this year's draft, it seemed Northcutt's days with the Browns were numbered.
But Nortchutt had other plans.
"I've never been discouraged," he said. "Things may not have always gone my way. But it's always just been a test. It's a test of life. I've been tested in my life one thousand times before by things much bigger than anything in football. Way harder."