Gonzalez had missed kicks (a field goal and an extra point minutes earlier) in the contest that would have given the Browns the lead before Gonzalez's 52-yard miss.
Gonzalez had missed an extra point after the one offensive play that the Browns had made happen all game long when Tyrod Taylor threw a 47-yard touchdown to Antonio Callaway, who had outrun the Saints secondary down the seam to what figured to be a lead, if not a win, although Drew Brees in a two minute offense might have something to say about that.
Turns out that it did just that as Brees drove the Saints down the field and a Will Lutz field goal from 44 yards was drilled with seconds remaining to set the stage for the final Gonzalez miss.
Tyrod Taylor finished with 246 yards passing with one score and one interception while Antonio Callaway led the skill players with the aforementioned touchdown with 87 yards receiving.
The now 0-1-1 Browns have a short week as they host the 1-1 New York Jets Thursday night with the Jets being led by a player that you may have heard of named Sam Darnold.
Brownie Bits
1) Zane Gonzalez will have to go.
You just cannot miss extra points and field goals in this league and even though neither of the two misses was easy kicks (44 and 52) you expect NFL kickers in the perfect kicking conditions of the Superdome to make it at least plausible to nail them both.
The Browns are bringing kickers to Berea today to challenge Gonzalez, so they are likely to have a new kicker for the Thursday night game against the Jets.
Editor's note: Zane Gonzalez will be waived with an injury settlement as apparently, he's been kicking with a groin injury.
While I am sympathetic to this hampering his effectiveness, why did the Browns trot him out with an injury?
2) Underrated star? Larry Ogunjobi, who had two sacks and another called back by a penalty.
Ogunjobi might be the one player that Sashi Brown will receive some credit for selecting when the Brown regime is truly able to be graded fairly.
Sure, the opponents are double-teaming Myles Garrett, but good defenses have players that can brush blockers one on one and make teams pay for the double-team, but the Browns often haven't had players that have been able to take advantage- Ogunjobi might be a player that can.
3) I was just befuddled by a fourth and one play call in the first half.
Not that the Browns went for it, on the Saints side of the field (would have been a long FG, but this was before Zane Gonzalez started missing kicks), I was fine with that part, but what I wasn't fine with was the play, a run up the middle with Duke Johnson, the smallest back the team has and one more noted for his elusiveness and speed, not his ability to put his shoulder down and drive forward.
This brought back those wonderful memories of the Bill Belichick days when the Browns would run the smallish Eric Metcalf up the middle constantly with poor results.
Liked the going on fourth down, hated the personnel used.
4) Tyrod Taylor's long touchdown pass to Antonio Callaway gave the Browns the lead, but the most important item to take away from that play was the speed shown by Callaway, who burst by the secondary and showed the type of deep speed that the Browns haven't had since, Ahem Josh Gordon.
It will take considerable time to completely forget the off the field worries that come with Antonio Callaway, but it's pretty clear that he has plenty of physical tools.
5) This is going to be a defense that is going to continue to grow, but they kept the team in the game yesterday and allowed just 62 yards on the ground.
I mentioned Larry Ogunjobi earlier, but the Browns have others that have surprised such as C.J. Carrie on one corner and defensive end Chris Smith played well in place of injured Emmanuel Ogbah.
Still room for growth, but I see hope.
6) Carlos Hyde is averaging under three yards a carry, but I'm not giving up on him yet.
Some of the struggles are part of the developing offensive line and others are a back that thrives on use, not getting enough carries to wear down defenses.
I think he'll be OK.
7) I really have liked what I have seen from Damarious Randall at free safety.
Jabrill Peppers (who has been better at the strong safety as well) was miscast there and Randall has played better as the rangy centerfielder that is needed at that position.
8) The Browns defense forced only 13 turnovers in 2017, they have forced eight in two games.
The Gregg Williams defense is one based on big plays/turnovers along with plenty of heat on the quarterback.
I hate "bend not break" defenses and love to watch attacking defenses, so I'm very happy so far,
I still think the Browns need another big play linebacker, but I'm seeing progress and it's entertaining progress to date.
9) Jarvis Landry saw seven targets, caught five of those, but without Josh Gordon, he needs to see more passes.
Look at how the Saints use Michael Thomas (13 targets, 12 catches), without Gordon, the Browns need to feed Landry and allow him to move the chains.
10) The Browns could be 2-0, instead they are 0-1-1.
I'm still not down very much on the team as I've seen good things, especially on defense.
The honeymoon ends Thursday against the Jets.
Sam Darnold in town, a team that they should beat at home- win and things are progressing.
Lose and who knows what happens.
Back later with yes, the just announced Josh Gordon trade.
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