Four Cleveland Browns Who Struggled In Week 2

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Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Brian Hartline (83) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Hartline Must Catch The Ball

It definitely wasn’t a good game for Brian Hartline. His ineffectiveness didn’t change the outcome of the game, but it could of kept a few possessions going a little bit longer. On a 3rd and 7 in the third series of the first quarter, Manziel threw a strike right into the hands of Hartline…..and it went incomplete.

That’s something you don’t see Hardline do often–if ever. If he can catch a pass on his side as he did last week against the Jets, then he should be able to catch the easy passes thrown to him.

He was targeted again in the second and third quarter–but those passes were also incomplete. Now this is not a knock on Perrish Cox or Gerald Sensabaugh, but Hartline is superior to them as far as it pertains to gaining correct positioning to catch the ball and ability. He was brought in here to be the “possession” receiver that the Browns have lacked since the days of Joe Jurevicius–and obviously with having the best hands in an average receiving core, he has to make those plays. Hartline will have a chance to redeem himself next Sunday against another mediocre defense in the Oakland Raiders. Hopefully, whether it is Manziel or Josh McCown, they’re going to work on their chemistry with Brian and not waste anymore vital opportunities.

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