“The times I have made mistakes (as a punt returner), I’m trying to make the big play instead of the 10- to 15-yard play,” McCloud said. “Me and (head) coach (Mike) Tomlin talked about it and said, ‘Let’s be unselfish and take the 10 yards instead of something bigger.’ Those times I have made mistakes in my career … (I’m) trying to make something out of nothing. Sometimes, I’ve got to take what’s given.”
Perhaps the talk with Tomlin resonated: In his final eight games, McCloud had just one fumble — a muffed punt he recovered — while handling 22 returns.