• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Browns Nation

Browns News. Rumors. Highlights. Now

  • Home
  • News
  • Draft
  • Podcast
  • History
  • All-Time Lists
  • Team
    • Shop
    • Schedule
  • About
You are here: Home / Daily News / Browns Need To Utilize Austin Hooper More In His Return

Browns Need To Utilize Austin Hooper More In His Return

By Rocco Nuosci November 8, 2020 @Noush9602

Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper (81) with the football during drills during the Cleveland Browns Training Camp on August 30, 2020, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH.
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

 

When the Cleveland Browns acquired Austin Hooper in the offseason, fans thought he would be an integral part of the offense.

So far, it hasn’t happened.

Hooper did see his targets increase steadily leading into the second game against Cincinnati, but an appendectomy procedure has kept him sidelined since.

Following the bye week, it might be time to get Hooper more involved with the offensive scheme.

Red Zone Threat

Just because a tight end has a large frame does not mean they will become a huge red zone threat by default.

See David Njoku.

But, Hooper has proven that ability before during his days in Atlanta.

Last year with the Falcons, Hooper was targeted 18 times in the red zone, catching 10 passes and 6 touchdowns.

So far this season, Baker Mayfield has thrown it his way just twice when in the red zone with one of those being caught for a touchdown.

Austin Hooper snags the pass from Mayfield as the Browns go up 21-14 😎pic.twitter.com/kzPSKrH9qC

— Browns Nation (@BrownsNationCP) October 4, 2020

Though they didn’t utilize him as one very often, Odell Beckham Jr. was another red zone target that is no longer available for Mayfield.

While they continue to wait for Nick Chubb to recover, who will provide plenty of relief in that area, Hooper should be someone Kevin Stefanski looks to use more deep in opponent’s territory.

Smart Player

Again, while the impact most expected from Hooper just hasn’t happened yet, he’s proven he is capable of making smart football plays.

One play against Washington particularly stands out.

On a fourth and seven near midfield, the Browns offense looked to Austin Hooper to pick up the necessary yardage.

Props to Stefanski for having the guts to go for it 7 yards away from a first down. Knew the Browns couldn't afford to punt down seven and it paid off.

Great effort from Austin Hooper to move the chains. pic.twitter.com/NUIxcOYqbc

— Johnny Kinsley (@Brickwallblitz) September 28, 2020

Look at Washington safety Troy Apke beat Hooper to the yard marker and break down for a tackle.

Hooper knows he only has to beat Apke, as Jon Bostic is late coming over to help.

He also knows he doesn’t need to put on a move that tries to net big yardage.

He just needs to slip past Apke, and he does so, launching himself forward for the first down yardage.

It was a small, simple thing he did, but with a monumental impact.

Having a guy with the field awareness to know exactly where the sticks are and making the right play to move them is a valuable asset for a coach.

As we’ve seen, not all players are willing to make those simple plays.

Will He Be Healthy?

It’s hard to just rush a player back out there following an appendectomy.

Hooper, however, claims he will be ready to go after the bye week.

#Browns Austin Hooper said "I'm doing great. Definitely, be ready to go coming out of the bye" on @TheTrivShow @wtam1100

— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham) November 2, 2020

That’s great news for the Browns as they continue to deal with injuries on both sides of the ball.

For Hooper, being able to only miss two games isn’t bad at all for having his appendix removed.

Now, he has a golden opportunity to really put his mark on this season.

The loss to the Raiders heading into this bye week has likely left a bit of a sour taste in the mouths of the brown and orange.

They’ll be looking to bounce back against the Texans after the bye, who allowed Titans tight end Anthony Firsker to rack up 113 receiving yards against them in week six.

I wouldn’t expect that monstrous of a day from Hooper, but expect to see his targets increase as the second half of the season moves along.

Recent News

A Dawg Pound banner on display in game action during a NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns on October11, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH.
Tom Seipel: Man Gets Dying Wish To Attend Browns Game
cleveland browns helmet
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Mentioned As GM Candidate In Offseason
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) looks at the scoreboard during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on October 25, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Myles Garrett Says He Won’t Treat Mason Rudolph Differently

Filed Under: Daily NewsTagged With: Austin Hooper, Baker Mayfield

About Rocco Nuosci

I have been in broadcast media for the last 6 years and have a passion for creating quality, attention-grabbing content. I have worked as a sports talk show host as well as a producer at 1590 WAKR AM in Akron, OH, for the past 2 years. Prior to that, I was Sports Director of WZIP at The University of Akron and was responsible for all content from the sports department, including both video for the website as well as on-air audio. I am also a part of the video and gameday production team for the Akron Rubberducks Baseball Club

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Primary Sidebar

Search Browns Nation

Trending News

Footer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Join Our Newsletter

Contact Us

 

Follow us

Copyright © 2021 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - Brownsnation.com

Copyright © 2020 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BrownsNation.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Browns or the National Football League