Cleveland Browns: Kicking competition to unfold in preseason

Another position battle in Berea as popped up, as Cleveland Browns kickers are fighting for a starting job entering 2018.

The kicker is usually an afterthought, but no one’s more important with the game on the line and 10 seconds.

Cleveland Browns kicker Zane Gonzalez was thought to be safe heading into his second year, but Solon’s own Ross Martin is giving the former seventh-round pick a run for his money.

Coach Hue Jackson put the kicking competition on the radar following Friday’s practice, which featured the team’s first full extended scrimmage of the season.

"“That’s something to watch over the next several weeks as kicks in preseason games will weigh heavily into the team’s thinking,” wrote The Athletic’s Zac Jackson."

Martin’s game is intriguing, but the Browns went through the bumps of bruises of ushering in a rookie kicker last year, which makes the job Gonzalez’s to lose.

Gonzalez missed missed two of his first five attempts as a pro, but got on track, converting 13 of 15 attempts dating back to Oct. 22, 2017.

Martin, attended Duke University and went undrafted. He holds the Blue Devils school record for field goals, extra points and total points.

Martin signed with the Jets in 2016, but was waived before the start of last season. The 25-year-old didn’t sign with anyone else until the Browns came calling last June.

The Browns open preseason play on the road against the Giants Aug. 9.

Other Browns nuggets…

Jarvis Landry had a huge day in the team scrimmage and highlights how important he’ll be to an offense that’s lacked consistent playmakers. And yes, that includes when Josh Gordon is in the lineup.

Landry caught a deep pass from Tyrod Taylor and fought off some tacklers to make it into the end zone. He then promptly launched the ball into the stands to a surprising fan who made a nice catch.

Mayfield looked good again

Baker Mayfield through his first interception of camp, a pass which was tipped by Jamie Meder, but the rookie again showed poise in the pocket finding Devon Cajuste on a 35-yard deep out.

Taylor was also good in the scrimmage, but it’s just a matter of time before there’s a QB controversy. 

On Corbett

I called the Browns decision to take Austin Corbett one of the biggest three mistakes of the offseason. Nothing personal against Corbett, the Browns just need a left tackle and the Nevada product doesn’t project to play there in the pros.

Now Joel Bitonio‘s playing left tackle and taking over for Joe Thomas, which frees up Corbett to play guard.

If Bitonio can secure tackle, the Browns’ line will all of a sudden be in great shape. OK, not as great as shape as it would be with Thomas on the line, but I digress.

The point is if the Browns fix the line through the 33rd pick, all’s well that end’s well. It’s far from being a slam dunk, though.