Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson’s punishment for Antonio Callaway was a gift

Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson may have thought he was actually punishing Antonio Callaway, but that is not necessarily the case.

Antonio Callaway’s preseason debut versus the New York Giants did not start off well. However, that soon changed in the second half when he caught multiple passes, including one that resulted in a touchdown for the Cleveland Browns.

While Callaway was getting the jitters out-of-the-way, did you happen to notice that he played longer than many of the other offensive players? He did and not only that, he played nearly the whole game, something players rarely do in the first preseason game.

The reason behind that from Hue Jackson’s point of view was to punish Callaway following his recent off the field issue.

Regardless if it is a rookie or a veteran, teams are typically more inclined to decrease playing time or not play a player at all if they put themselves in that situation. Cleveland cannot be put into that category though as Jackson took the other alternative and played him.

Jackson did run the risk of Callaway getting injured but luckily that did not happen. What did however occur was Callaway getting plenty of snaps. Those snaps will benefit him going into the second preseason game and beyond.

Furthermore, by playing as much as he did, helped Callaway get used to playing meaningful snaps again. The talented rookie wideout from Florida did not play in 2017 following off the field issues.

Given the Browns wide receiver position, Callaway, although he cannot be relied on, is set to have an important role this season. By giving a glimpse of what he can do against the Giants (with more to come in the upcoming games), perhaps Callaway helped Cleveland decide what other wide receiver moves will be made.

Callaway got to play and showcase his skills. With how he has not played in a game of any kind in a couple of seasons, this is a gift to Callaway than anything else. What Jackson should have done is if he believes Callaway could be suspended and that is truly why he played as much as he did, he should have said it. Or, Jackson should not have played Callaway at all.

From a non-football standpoint, does what Jackson decide to do make Callaway understand where he went wrong and move on from his mistake? Or, does Callaway’s mindset not change? The only people who can answer that are in Berea, Ohio in Cleveland’s headquarters.