Cedric Tillman has had an increased role in the Browns offense after the departure of Donovan Peoples-Jones.
With their offense struggling to get things going last Sunday in Baltimore and quarterback Deshaun Watson trying to find his rhythm, head coach Kevin Stefanski dialed up a play-action bootleg that relied on Tillman number to make a big block on Raven veteran Kyle Van Noy.
Watson faked the handoff to the left for Jeorme Ford and started on a bootleg back right. Waiting for him was Van Noy who didn't see Tillman cutting towards him looking to take him out of the play. As Watson broke the pocket, Tillman laid a de-cleating block into Van Noy and stood over top of him for good measure.
In real time, viewers loved the play but were surprised a flag didn't fly in on the play. In some ways, the young rookie's hit set the tone for the Browns, sparking the offense, which helped propel them to victory in the second half.
On Saturday, it was announced that Tillman received a fine from the NFL office for the crackback block, totaling $5,667. A mere slap on the wrist for the receiver but worth it to get the Browns going.
Tillman was drafted in the third round of April's draft as a likely replacement to Peoples-Jone, granted it came earlier than many expected. Standing at 6'4, he is easily the tallest receiver that the Browns' have and will grow into a more extended role.
For now, he will play fourth fiddle to Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore, and David Njoku. While that may call for more blocking assignments now, in the future Tillman will be a significant part of this Browns' passing attack.
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