Barnidge Becomes 2nd Browns Tight End to Score in 4 Straight Games

Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge put himself in good company during Sunday's 26-23 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos, joining current Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome (1981) as the only tight ends in Browns franchise history to score touchdowns in four consecutive regular-season games, per ESPN Stats & Info.

One of the 2015 season's more shocking stories, the 30-year-old Barnidge was a 2008 fifth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers, and he had just 44 receptions and three touchdowns in 92 career games prior to this season.

It appeared 2015 wouldn't be much different, as he caught just four balls for 55 yards through the first two weeks of the season, despite earning a spot in the starting lineup.

Barnidge then broke out in Week 3 against the Oakland Raiders, but there was little reason to think his 6-105-1 receiving line was anything more than a one-game fluke against a soft opponent.

Even after he went for 6-75-1 the next week against the San Diego Chargers, there were few true believers on the Barnidge bandwagon.

That changed for good in Week 5, with Barnidge romping for an 8-139-1 receiving line in an overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens, highlighted by a spectacular touchdown catch he made with his legs.

Barnidge only caught three passes for 39 yards on nine targets in Sunday's game against the Broncos, but with two of those receptions going for touchdowns, he now has five scores over the last four weeks.

He may not be Ozzie Newsome, but Barnidge is at least the best tight end the Browns have fielded since Kellen Winslow Jr.'s brief peak in 2006 and 2007.