With the Cleveland Browns trading away Josh Gordon, coach Hue Jackson says “it's time” for Antonio Callaway to step up.
Callaway took a big step forward against the New Orleans Saints when he caught a 47-yard touchdown pass to tie the game late in the 4th quarter. Jackson said that catch is important because it gives him confidence that he belongs, which is key because the team doesn't have time to ease him into his role anymore.
“He is making strides,” coach Hue Jackson said Tuesday via the Akron Beacon Journal. “Obviously, the catch to tie the game is a confidence booster for any young player. I think that he was always coming on. We were not trying to push him too fast, not give him too much too fast. Now, he has to take it all. It’s time.”
There have never been questions if Callaway can play football, the questions have always been about his off the field issues. On the touchdown catch, it looked the ball was overthrown but Callaway used his blazing speed to get under the ball and haul it in. Jarvis Landry, who also needs to take on a bigger role thinks that Callaway is ready to step up into the bigger role.
“Absolutely. He ain’t got no choice,” Landry said. “But he’s definitely a guy that we’re going to count on, we’re going to lean on. We know he can make plays, and Sunday was a prime example of that. And given more opportunities, I’m sure he’ll make more plays.”
Callaway will get his first chance to impress in primetime when the Browns face the Jets on Thursday Night Football.
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