'It can all change in just one play': Browns' Thomas Graham Jr. bides time, makes his mark

CLEVELAND – Thomas Graham Jr. just had a feeling. The Browns cornerback could do the math and saw the situation injuries had left the secondary in going into last Sunday's game against Tampa Bay.

"I already knew I had an opportunity of playing more this week," Graham said after the game. "My feeling was already on it even more. This, kind of just going out there being ready to play, it's like the same thing I said last year. It's like, if you stay ready so you know how to get ready. Just always be prepared for your moment so you don't lose that chance. Sometimes you only get that one chance, that one opportunity. You gotta show the world who you are."

Graham came in knowing the Browns were down starting cornerback Greg Newsome II, who missed his second consecutive game with a concussion. Considering the Buccaneers' passing game, led by quarterback Tom Brady and receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Julio Jones, a nickel look was going to be something the defense showed quite a bit.

Rookie Martin Emerson Jr. started in Newsome's place, while A.J. Green moved into the slot role that has been Emerson's when both Newsome and Denzel Ward are healthy. That essentially left Graham and Greedy Williams as the only cornerbacks available should someone go down.

That someone was Green, who left the game in the first quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday he was going into the concussion protocol.

Green's injury, though, opened the door for Graham. Suddenly, the player who had been on the Chicago Bears practice squad when the regular season started was lining up to defend against one of the most legendary players in the NFL.

"I feel like the second series I was just like, 'Dang, that's really Tom Brady lined up across from me,'" Graham said. "I was like, 'Shoot, it's time to ball.' This is the time you make a name for yourself."

Graham did his part. A week after playing just two special-teams snaps in a loss to Buffalo, he played 37 snaps against the Buccaneers, 54% of the Browns' defensive snaps.

The former University of Oregon product was tied for second on the team with six combined tackles against Tampa Bay. That included five solo stops.

The performance by Graham, who was signed by the Browns on Sept. 13, was key in helping them not allow the Buccaneers to hit too many big plays in the passing game. Brady was 29-of-43 passing for 246 yards with two touchdowns, both of which were of 10 yards or less.

Godwin did have 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. However, neither Evans nor Jones were major factors in the passing game, with a combined five catches for 71 yards.

"It was more just coming in there ready and do your job," Graham said. "Communicate and do your job. As long as we all do our 1/11th, we unstoppable. As soon as that one piece kind of ticks off, it's like, when you're playing against a great guy like that, that how things happen. I think we did a good job of just over-communicating and make sure we all got the call. We all got adjusted where we can go out there and make the plays that we make."

For Graham, Sunday was a moment in which faith and hard work paid off. As an undrafted rookie free agent a year ago with Chicago, he played in the final four games, recording 11 tackles and four passes defensed.

With the Browns, most of Graham's opportunities have come on special teams. Two weeks prior to the Tampa Bay game, he was among the inactive players in the loss to Miami.

Two weeks later, Graham was playing huge snaps against another Florida team.

"Honestly, sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard," Graham said. "Obviously, when you just feel like you might get a chance out there, it's easier. But when you don't, like, it's kind of hard. It was just kind of being in that kind of mindset. It's a long season, and you gotta stay ready. You never know what can happen. It can all change in just one play. It kind of did."

Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Thomas Graham Jr. comes off the bench to help Browns defense get win