CLEVELAND – In their latest act of heartbreak, the Cleveland Browns fell to the New Orleans Saints 21-18 on Sunday. Kicker Zane Gonzalez was largely to blame after leaving eight points on the gable. Two missed extra points and two missed field goals made for by far the worst performance of his career as a kicker.
Two weeks into the season, Gonzalez has missed several crucial field goal attempts that would have led to the Browns winning a game for the first time since Christmas Eve of 2016 verses the, now, Los Angeles Chargers.
On day after Gonzalez’ meltdown, the Browns, expectedly, parted ways with the struggling 23-year-old, according to Cleveland.com. In his place, newly signed Greg Joseph will take over the placekicking responsibilities. Joseph spent his summer with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted rookie out of Florida International. During training camp, he was past of a heated kicking competition but was ultimately released in favor of Dolphins’ seventh-round pick Jason Sanders. According to a few people close to Miami, the battle was close, though.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Gonzalez has been kicking with a groin injury that required an MRI. It’s unclear at this time whether or not they reached an injury settlement with the 2017 seventh-round pick as part of his release.
Gonzalez was not listed on the Browns injury report this week. If it turns out the Browns had knowledge of the injury they could be susceptible to possible discipline from the NFL.
Cleveland will host the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football this week, with the pressure on head coach Hue Jackson getting heavier by the second. Thursday’s game already feels like a must win for the Jackson and the Browns. With a new kicker in town, this could be the move the team needed.
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