CJGJ 2019……

Wanted to touch on a thread about his great plays, since he mentioned he’s gained the reputation of a talker instead of a great nickel in the media.

I think he’s both.

However, flash back to 2019 (his rookie season) and I’ll tell you two plays that made me think we’ve got a junkyard dog player here.

Game 1. Houston scores on a bomb with under a minute to go to tie it at 27.
On the PAT, he misses because the incredible hustle and full lay out dive by CJ forced the kick wide right.
However, he tumbled into the kicker, who fell like a soccer player…..penalty, rekick, good 28-27 Houston.
110% effort caused the miss…..yet resulted in a penalty. He was devastated and the shots of him on the sideline were rough, but players were consoling him. You could tell how badly he wanted it….and his extra effort might lead to the L.
Then three Drew plays later, and a 50 plus FG by Wil at the buzzer, Saints win 30-28.

Drew gets hurt and Teddy enters.

2. Home night game 4 vs Dallas.

Up 12-10, Dallas is at midfield for a Hail Mary.
As Dak drops back to set the Hail Mary, 22 is shot out of a cannon, avoids all blockers, and forces Daks last ditch throw well before WRs were down the field, the ball can only make it to the 20….play completely blown up by CJ.

As the bench is celebrating, Drew comes running out straight to CJ and jumps on him in celebration.

It was an individual play that could have gone unnoticed….but I knew then we had an absolute nasty baller in 22.