Rookie John Brown scores twice, leads Arizona Cardinals to win over 49ers
Sep 22, 2014, 12:49 AM | Updated: 4:26 am
GLENDALE, Ariz. — John Brown said he had a feeling this was going to be a big game for him.
“Coming out, it was just the whole practice week, it was just like the game plan was around me, to try to get the ball in my hands more,” the rookie said after he caught four passes for 52 yards and two touchdowns in Arizona’s 23-14 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Brown also drew a key pass interference late as the Cardinals were driving to put the game away.
“Because you know there would be a lot of people looking at Larry and Michael, and it just opened up big time,” he said. “So I was prepared for it.”
Apparently the 49ers were not.
“No one knows me,” Brown said with a laugh. “[My teammates] know that once I get the ball, I can do things. Coach does the right things and calls the right plays.”
To be fair, Brown is not nearly the surprise he probably should be. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound third-round pick out of Pittsburg State was a star throughout the offseason, seemingly getting open and making big catches on a daily basis.
“We knew he had the capability right off the bat when he showed up,” said quarterback Drew Stanton. “The game comes to him a lot easier than most rookies. He understands B.A.’s offense, and he’s got a good package to try and get him in there and allow him to do what he does.”
Sunday’s outburst was most certainly by design.
“Well you know, Johnny is getting better and better and we felt like we could match him up on their safety some,” Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said of his rookie.
