John Brown's 75-yard touchdown propelled the Arizona Cardinals to victory on Sunday and gave the rookie his first career 100-yard performance.
As Gregg Rosenthal pointed out on the Week 8 Recap edition of the Around The NFL Podcast, the third-round draft pick seems to contribute a key play every game.
"I told youJohn Brown could play," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim told TheMMQB.com's Peter King after Sunday's nail-biter.
Indeed he did. Keim also told Grantland's Robert Mays in early August that Brown had the potential for an Anquan Boldin-like rookie campaign, while coach Bruce Arianscompared the former Pittsburg State star to T.Y. Hilton.
ESPN analyst Bill Polian revealed Monday that Arians has also said Brown reminds him of an even more decorated Colts star in future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison.
Arians coached in Indianapolis from 1998-2000, when Harrison was at the height of his powers.
It's a credit to Arians that Carson Palmer dialed Brown's number on a third-down bomb with just 1:33 remaining in the game and five crucial yards needed to move the chains.
"We had three (receivers) at eight yards for the first down," Arians explained, "but when there's a touchdown involved in the play, never pass it up. Don't play scared; play smart."
The Cardinals can thank the unrelenting aggressiveness of Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles for a share of the NFL's best regular-season record (13-3) since the midpoint of last season.
They can thank Keim for digging deep to unearth a dynamic rookie now pacing the AFC West leaders in touchdowns.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Week 8 game. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
