While the Cleveland Browns continue to offer heartbreak to fans, several players stood out in the loss to the Saints. Looking at three standouts from Week 2.
The pain continues for the Cleveland Browns and their fans after they followed up a Week 1 tie by going down to New Orleans with chances to seemingly win and ultimately suffering a loss on Sunday in Week 2.
But hope and optimism is not lost. Even in a losing effort, there were still players that showed up in big moments and consistently made plays for the Browns. Those efforts, however, were thwarted by another player who jumps off the box score for all the wrong reasons.
With that, let’s take a look at the three standouts from this game.
Larry Ogunjobi
Second-year defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi continues to impress and his pair of sacks were a highlight of a wild game. He provided a third sack as well, but his bid for a hat-trick was erased due to a penalty elsewhere on the field.
With Myles Garrett soaking up the bulk of media and the opposing team’s attention, Ogunjobi has punished the interior of offensive lines throughout the first two weeks of the season. Combined with his sack in Week 1, Ogunjobi has now compiled a team leading three sacks thus far in 2018.
Antonio Callaway
Rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway had limited playing time in Week 1, but without Josh Gordon in the lineup, Callaway provided a much needed play-making spark. The pending release of Gordon will likely allow Callaway a significant increase in opportunties in the future.
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Callaway’s first NFL touchdown came by way of a 47-yard bomb with a beautiful over the shoulder catch in stride at the back of the end zone. Totaling 81 yards on three catches, he showed himself plenty capable of providing a deep-threat option for the Browns struggling offense. If Tyrod Taylor can be more aggressive in stretching the field, the sky is the limit for the rookie receiver.
Zane Gonzalez
While the category of standout players is typically reserved for those offering fantastic performances, this week, the third standout performance is a result of the opposite end of the scale. Zane Gonzalez showed the possibilities of a solid option at kicker last year. However, his standout performance in Week 2 should result in an immediate loss of his position.
In a game where the Browns fell short by three points, the combined eight points that Gonzalez sailed outside the uprights left utter heartbreak for fans. Gonzalez missed on a pair of extra point attempts, a 44-yard field goal and a 52-yarder with eight seconds remaining in the game that would have tied the score, allowing overtime.
The thought of an overtime appearance for the second-straight week, with a score of 21-21, also for the second-straight week, would certainly have been odd. However, the combined total of four missed kicks are equally odd for an NFL kicker.
I have agreed with the support of Gonzalez through his rookie struggles last year, although my support has ended. It is time to find a more dependable option at kicker.
Final Thoughts
Week 2 offered the familiar heartbreak of a winnable loss for the Cleveland Browns. The positive standout performances were very welcomed, but the crucial points left on the field defined the game. Perhaps the Browns future standouts will enjoy a team victory to accompany their own personal victories. I can only imagine the dismay of having a two-sack game, or your first-ever NFL touchdown, in a losing effort that should have been won.
Whether general manager John Dorsey will address the kicker position remains to be seen. I find it hard to imagine a scenario were the Browns stand by a kicker that has shown inability to perform at a high level on a consistent basis.
The feeling remains that the young Cleveland roster is turning the page on their dismal history, but it has not happened yet. If the pieces come together they offer limitless possibilities, but the tortured fanbase is certainly tired of waiting.