Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II keeps receipts. Specifically, when it comes to the Bengals and his history with their wide receivers.
As they head into the season opener against the Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday, Newsome still holds onto those past events as a form of motivation.
"Any way you can get an edge, any single game to just elevate your game, even that one percent more, definitely always keep receipts," Newsome said on Thursday.
The Bengals' receiving corps presents a challenge heading into Week 1 of the regular season. Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd all complement one another as part of the Bengals' offense. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has taken note.
"When it's all said and done, that's going to be one of the keys to this game is how well we do with run after the catch with their receivers," Schwartz said on Thursday. "Everybody wants to think it's all plays down the field, but five-yard completions that they run for 25 can be just as damaging to a defense."
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for their first regular season game against the Cincinnati Bengals
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Kicker Lucas Havrisik (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Hassan Hall (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive Assistant/Quarterbacks Coach Ashton Grant during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Safety Grant Delpit (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (74) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 6, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and Linebackers Coach Jason Tarver during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive tackle Trysten Hill (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 7, 2023.
Yet, Newsome is ready for the matchup.
If he lines up across from Chase come Sunday, it could add more fuel to the fire. But it isn't just Chase. He feels that way about the Bengals' top three receivers with Higgins and Boyd. Last season against Cincinnati, Newsome recorded nine tackles, six of which were solo tackles.
"I would say that, but I would say all three of the receivers," Newsome said. "I mean arguably they're one of the best receiving corps in the league, so getting the opportunity to go against any one of those guys is special for me and every single time I get a chance to go against one of them, my eyes definitely get wide. I'm ready to go."
Newsome also looks for ways to motivate his own teammates around him while on the field to help their defense succeed, as well as demonstrate his competitive nature.
"I'm just a competitor," Newsome said. "Whatever I can do out there, I play with a bunch of energy, a bunch of passion, but I mean that's fine because we definitely talk, but we're going to back it up too."
And while the past adds to the hype of Week 1 against the Bengals, Newsome believes that the two teams match up well against one another. The Browns are 4-1 against Joe Burrow at the helm of the Bengals' offense.
Newsome attributes their recent success over the Bengals because of their game plan and how they use their strengths to their advantage. One of Cincinnati's strengths is in its receiving core, and Newsome believes one of Cleveland's comes in its secondary and pass rush.
Even with history between the Browns' secondary and the Bengals' wide receivers, Week 1 is also an opportunity to get a full look at the Browns' defense. For Newsome, it's a chance for them to showcase all their work throughout the summer.
"I think this first game is definitely going to say a lot about how hard we've worked, how hard we've prepared for this game and for this moment," Newsome said. "So, I'm definitely super excited."
