For obvious reasons, Kyler Murray was the story of the week.
But Clayton Tune — who was in a tough situation in Cleveland for his first NFL start, missing key offensive players and playing the offensive line lower than he showed this season — is quietly coming back to life as a backup for the next opportunity . to take to the field.
“I’m in the same place as before,” Tune said. “I’m just getting ready to play. To be honest, I’m more hungry for another opportunity to play.”
His debut couldn’t have been more lateral. He completed 11 of 20 for 58 yards, threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and was sacked seven times in a 27-0 loss.
Still, Jonathan Gannon explained how Tune remained emotionally stable throughout the match.
“I’ve been in this situation before and found it best to stay calm,” Tune said. “I did the opposite. There were times in college where I didn’t necessarily handle things that way and it didn’t help anyone.
I just learned this. So it depends a little on who I am and a little on what I’ve been in that place before.”
The rookie said he talks to his brothers after a game like that, as well as former NFL QB (and Carson’s brother) Jordan Palmer, who trained Tune for the Scouting Combine.
But Tune doesn’t call anyone, they call him. Tune knows how difficult it was to make a play against the Browns, it was just one step in his development.
So this week, with Murray making his first start, Tune made contact with the Browns’ tape – more than he would have in previous weeks, for obvious reasons – although it was more about seeing technique and mechanics, like footwork and launch. movement rather than schematizing what went wrong.
Tune just wants to improve while waiting for his next chance to be on the field.
“There’s definitely room for improvement, on his part, on my part, on all of us,” offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. “But we see him every day in training, we see him on the field and it’s been great to see him get some game experience.”
“But it will never be a finished product – that goes for everyone in this locker room.”
