Harold Fannin Jr. accounted for 47.2% of Cleveland's gross passing yards Sunday, catching 10 passes for 154 yards in the 27-6 loss at Pittsburgh on November 1. Cleveland never reached the end zone.
Fannin led Cleveland in receptions with 35 and in receiving yards with 411 through eight games.
Todd Monken's Monday assessment of Fannin focused on his hands and his work after the catch: "He's a bull." The coach also expects Fannin to keep improving as a blocker.
A career day and a two-game surge
Sunday's yardage was a career high and the second-most receiving yards by a Browns tight end in a game. His longest catch went for 37 yards in the fourth quarter, and this was his second career 100-yard game.
After six catches for 91 yards the previous week, Fannin leads Cleveland over the past two games with 245 receiving yards and 21 targets.
Fannin credited his preparation in practice and developing timing with Deshaun Watson for the recent production.
Fannin also lost a fumble in each of the past two games. Cleveland fumbled on its first two possessions Sunday.
Monken wants the ball in his hands
Monken gave the increased receiving work some context: two-minute opportunities helped the previous week, and playing from behind forced Cleveland to throw more against Pittsburgh.
Fannin is already setting the receiving pace for Cleveland's offense. Giving him a larger role is the right call.
Monken put it plainly: "So, it behooves us to try and get him the ball more often."
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