First-round draft pick Justin Gilbert may not be in a position to allow the game-winning drive to unfold come Week 2. In his post-mortem press conference on Monday afternoon, Browns head coach Mike Pettine stated that not only did he give the rookie cornerback too many snaps in Week 1, he may receive fewer of them come the team’s Home Opener against Drew Brees and the vaunted passing attack of the New Orleans Saints.

In the team’s loss to the Steelers, Gilbert played in 59 of the team’s 71 defensive snaps—good enough for sixth most of all Browns defenders. Of 87 cornerbacks to play during the NFL’s first weekend of the 2014 regular season, he ranked 80th (via Pro Football Focus), allowing 16.2 yards per completion. No completion, however, was worse than the final one of the game, Gilbert slipping on the grass and allowing Pittsburgh’s Markus Wheaton to gain 20 yards. The play lead to the Ben Roethlisberger spiking the football with the clock winding down, and Sean Suisham ultimately kicking a game-winning field goal.

Interestingly enough, following the loss, Gilbert said that he learned nothing in the way of lessons from his first game as a pro.

“Everyone was aware what was going on,” Gilbert said. “We were all just trying to make a play. We’re letting the routes develop, but at the top of the route, I kind of slipped. “I just got to play ball,” Gilbert said. “I know they’re going to come after me, so there’s nothing to learn from this game because I already knew what was going to happen.”

The Saints will come into town with tight end Jimmy Graham, and wide receivers Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks who combined to haul in 20 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown in their Week 1 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. It’s safe to expect third-year cornerback Buster Skrine to get extended time on the outside along with Aaron Berry, K’waun Williams and a possible activation of rookie Pierre Desir.

The Browns still have high expectations for Gilbert, and that they need to “walk the fine line” between not impacting his confidence and doing what’s best for the team. “Life in the NFL for a rookie cornerback can be tough,” Pettine said. “Not many come out and are special right away.”

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