3 Key Cleveland Browns rookies to watch at training camp
By Randy Gurzi
2. Austin Seibert, Kicker
Most of the time, fans aren’t excited about kickers. They’re often an afterthought when it comes to the game itself — that is until your team goes through a rough stretch in the kicking department. That’s what happened to the Browns last season when they ended their Week 1 game in a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost a close Week 2 contest with the New Orleans Saints.
Zane Gonzalez had a kick blocked in overtime against Pittsburgh and then had the worst game of his life in their following game. He was 2-of-4 on field goals and missed both extra-point tries in a 21-18 loss. The second field goal miss would have sent the game to overtime, instead, he sent him to the free agency pool.
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After the game, it was reported that he had a groin injury and that the coaching staff may have known about it. Either way, it was a disaster and led to a kicking competition which was won by Greg Joseph. He did fine overall but had a few hiccups including four missed extra points.
Determined to be better in this department, Cleveland used a fifth-round pick on Austin Seibert out of Oklahoma. Considered one of the most competitive people on the team, Seibert kicked an incredible 88 extra points last season with just one miss. Due to the Sooners ability to score touchdowns so often, he didn’t get a lot of field goal attempts but was 17-of-19 as a senior. Seibert also handled the punting duties which gives Cleveland an option there in case of emergency.
Even with his success in college, Seibert is going to have to beat out Joseph. He’ll have an advantage since a draft pick was used on him but considering the issues they had in 2018, the Browns are going to go with whoever is the better kicker. That makes Seibert not only a player to watch but one of the more vital rookies on the roster in 2019.