After the Broncos hired offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur earlier this year, they traded fullback Andy Janovich to the Browns in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.
Janovich was an excellent fullback and special teams contributor in Denver but Shurmur’s offense does not feature a fullback, making him expendable for the Broncos. In a way, Denver did Janovich a favor by trading him to a team that will utilize him more often.
In Cleveland’s 35-30 “Thursday Night Football” win over the Bengals, Janovich cleared the way for Browns running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to combine for 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Twitter reacted accordingly.
Love watching Andy Janovich play football!!
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) September 18, 2020
How about that Andy Janovich?? #FullbackSZN
— Nick Pedone (@NickPedone12) September 18, 2020
In the fourth quarter, Janovich served as a lead blocker on a 33-yard run for Hunt.
Harrison Bryant wasn't in much but noticed he had some really good snaps as a run blocker as well.
Along with Andy Janovich he provided a huge assist on Kareem Hunt's 33-yard run toward the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/X5a7Pp4ePQ
— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) September 18, 2020
Janovich drew plenty of praise on Twitter for his performance.
Watch Willis, hooper and janovich on this. https://t.co/U5nfZiLb8l
— KuDii (@1Fine9) September 18, 2020
Going to have a more complete package on Youtube later, but Andy Janovich has been incredible for this run game. Watch how he clears space on the run play before the TD and on the touchdown run for Chubb. Both plays Janovich is a huge factor in the score. pic.twitter.com/E1Tkve4IM4
— Mike Bossetti (@mikebosports) September 18, 2020
Janovich’s strong performance led many fans and pundits in Denver to recall former special teams coordinator Brock Olivo’s gushing praise for the fullback in 2017.
“Jano — love Jano. Jano, to me, if we had 22 Janos we would be alright,” Olivo said three years ago. “He’s tough, he never says a word and never complains. He just does his job. He’s the first one in the meeting every day.
“He’s on it Xs and Os wise. He knows what to do, he’s tough and he finishes. I love the guy if you could tell. He’s going to be a four-phaser for us. He’s a really good football player.”
Those remarks from Olivo have become a meme on Twitter.
22 Janos. Man who has broken facemasks with hard hits opens lane for Hunt. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/Vm04IIOtuF
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) September 18, 2020
22 JANO’S! https://t.co/EjT8u6H05b
— Quentin Olson (@GrizzlyOlson) September 18, 2020
Cleveland running the 22 Jano offense. #Touchdown
— Richard White (@RamblinWreck34) September 18, 2020
Welcome Buck and Aikman to Team 22 Janos
— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) September 18, 2020
“If we had 22 Janos” (paraphrase) – Troy Akiman
— Lance Britton (@Lance_Britton) September 18, 2020
"If we had 22 Janos …"
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) September 18, 2020
I miss Andy Janovich … #22Janos
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) September 18, 2020
If Cleveland had 22 Janos, they would be “allllll right.” #LoveJano
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) September 18, 2020
Janovich played 22 offensive snaps on Thursday evening. Andrew Beck, Denver’s new fullback, played just six offensive snaps in Week 1.
