Spotlight finds WR Norwood

By Marla Ridenour

Akron Beacon Journal

BEREA

Jordan Norwood’s cell phone doesn’t work in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

So it wasn’t until the second-year wide receiver was getting into his car Sunday night that the text messages and voice mails started rolling in from college friends and family members.

Norwood’s 51-yard reception set up the Browns’ first touchdown in a 14-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was their third-longest play from scrimmage this season and one of only four of 40-plus yards.

His catch gave him a total of 11 in 2011, all in the past four weeks. Taking advantage of playing time when Mohamed Massaquoi suffered a concussion Oct. 23 against the Seattle Seahawks that forced him to miss two games, Norwood responded on Oct. 30 against the San Francisco 49ers with a career-high five receptions for 32 yards.

But against the 49ers, Norwood’s longest play was 14 yards. There was no hint of what was to come against the Jaguars, when he caught an 8-yard pass, faked out safety Chris Prosinski and ran for 43 more to the Jaguars’ 7 before safety Dwight Lowery caught him.

“I wish I could have run a few more yards,” Norwood said. “It’s exciting for our offense to get a big play and kind of get things rolling.”

That play didn’t surprise Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown, who went against Norwood on the scout team with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009.

“No, and there will be many more to come,” Brown said. “He’s explosive.”

Norwood has played in 11 career games, all 10 this season for the Browns, who visit the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. He toiled on the practice squad for two years, spending 2010 with the Browns before being activated Nov. 30.

Receivers coach Mike Wilson is another fan of Norwood, who’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds.

“I’ve always liked Jordan,” Wilson said on Nov. 4. “Jordan has always been a very good athlete, good feet, very nifty, shifty, on the smaller side. But he’s really a real good route runner, and he knows how to get open.