Browns' Greg Newsome II: Blowout loss to Patriots in 2021 was 'embarrassing'

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II made it clear on Thursday he hasn't forgotten last season's blowout loss to the New England Patriots ahead of this Sunday's game between the 2-3 clubs. 

"I just think when you have to take a loss like that, like we did last year, it was embarrassing losing like that," Newsome explained, according to Sean T. McGuire of NESN. "You never want to be embarrassed. I think the competitors we have on this team, you never want to see a game, an outcome like that whether it is a loss. You never want to see a loss where you just get completely blew out." 

In November 2021, New England destroyed Cleveland to the tune of 45-7. Then-Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones completed 19 of 23 passes for 198 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the winning effort, but Jones seemingly won't be available this weekend due to the reported high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 3. Instead, current rookie and fourth-round draft selection Bailey Zappe is on track to get the nod in downtown Cleveland. 

"It is difficult, but at the same time, we have obviously been able to go against Mac Jones and some tendencies that he has," Newsome said about preparing for two different signal-callers, per the Browns' official website. "Also, with Bailey, with the Patriots, they are going to run that set of offense no matter what. Obviously, different quarterbacks are going to do different things, but I feel like the offense is pretty much set to do the same thing no matter what quarterback. There might be a few changes, but I wouldn’t say too many."

Zappe has completed 27 of 36 passes for 287 yards with two touchdowns and one interception across his two appearances and one start this fall. 

"I think we’ll play them tough again," Newsome added. "We definitely need revenge for this game, though. For sure."