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As we’re seeing with many of the Cleveland Browns’ roster cuts, the team is deciding to go with youth. Despite a close competition between rookie Zane Gonzalez and veteran Cody Parkey, the team has decided to keep their seventh-round pick and part ways with Parkey.
Can confirm rookie Zane Gonzalez has won #Browns kicking duel against Cody Parkey. Gonzalez first kicker drafted by team since 1989.
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) September 1, 2017
I thought Gonzalez was going to make the roster, but I took a chance in my roster projections yesterday that the club would try to keep Parkey temporarily to see if there were any trade suitors out there.
The good thing about Gonzalez is that he definitely has the leg to kick in the NFL. He hit a 56-yard field goal (see video here) during the one training camp practice I went to. In the final preseason game, he calmly drilled a 53-yard field goal (before promptly missing an extra point).
NOTE: Follow our Browns roster cut tracker for all of the latest transactions.