DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns 2019 training camp preview: Analyzing the special teams

https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-2019-training-camp-preview-analyzing-the-special-teams

We've reached the week for which we've all been waiting. Training camp opens Thursday.

That means we have just enough time to wrap up our series of camp previews with a final piece on the third phase of football. It's one that many fans hope will be a point of emphasis in Cleveland this season, especially after a few kicks could have produced a better record in 2018.

But that's in the past. We're onto 2019, and we have a couple of positions to sort out.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS
P Britton Colquitt
K Greg Joseph
P Jamie Gillan
K Austin Seibert
LS Charley Hughlett

What we know: We know this team needs a reliable kicker. The Browns very well could have started 2-0 last season had they made just two field goal attempts in key moments, and there were additional instances later in the year in which kicking could've put them over the top. That didn't happen, though, and must improve in 2019. That's why Browns general manager John Dorsey spent a fifth-round pick on Oklahoma kicker Austin Seibert, who will compete with incumbent kicker Greg Joseph for the job. Dorsey also brought in Arkansas Pine-Bluff punter Jamie Gillan to push veteran Britton Colquitt. Nicknamed "The Scottish Hammer" -- he grew up in Inverness, Scotland, aspired to be a rugby star and popped three of the four footballs sent to him for draft training -- Gillan's odds aren't the best, thanks to Colquitt's established reputation in the NFL. He's also learning to hold for kicks, a task punters handle in the NFL that is entirely new to him. But his punting has been solid and he'll get a chance to compete, which is all a player can ask for at this stage … We also know (and should be encouraged by) special teams coordinator Mike Priefer is not afraid to use key offensive or defensive players to fill out his groups in order to make them more effective. This entire staff has emphasized how important it will be to improve special teams -- kicking and covering kicks/punts chief among them -- in 2019, and Priefer has not shied away from the challenge. Head coach Freddie Kitchens places special teams in the middle of practice instead of at the end, emphasizing its importance, and Priefer runs through the periods with spirited command. We know this group will not be an afterthought in 2019.

What we don't know: No NFL team will carry two kickers, meaning one will end up going home at the end of camp. We'll find out who that is about a month from now, but it's the biggest question looming over the entire unit. Also not listed in the player lineup above (because special teams are often a mash-up of players across the roster) but just about as important as the kicking battle is determining who will win the returner job. Dontrell Hilliard appears to have a good chance of winning the gig, but he'll face competition from Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi and D'Ernest Johnson for the role. We don't know who will win either of these battles, but we do know they're important.


X-factor: Resilience. As a kicker, you're judged by a very small sample size in which you're asked to kick a football through a pretty small window bound by two yellow posts and a matching crossbar. Joseph and Seibert had equal opportunities to kick during OTAs and minicamp and were mostly even. One day, Joseph would outkick Seibert, and vice versa the next. They'll have plenty of eyeballs on them during these practices, which will be subject to the scrutiny of a fan base that is tired of inconsistency at the position. The kickers will need poise and resilience, because they simply won't make every kick attempted. They'll have to move on to the next kick quickly and tune out any noise, because their jobs are on the line.

The biggest number: 76. That's the conversion rate for Browns kickers last season, and also coincidentally the number worn by the franchise's Hall of Fame kicker/lineman Lou "The Toe" Groza. Perhaps the current crop of kickers should look to Groza's likeness on the facade of the team's facility and aspire to be like him, and also to move past the number that is also the address of the building. Seventy-six percent is simply not good enough to win in the NFL. Joseph posted a mark of 85 percent after he joined the Browns mid-season, and whoever wins the job should aim for a similar (or higher) mark.

Says it all: "You have to want it here. They have to be smart enough not to get penalized. They have to obviously have the athleticism necessary to be great on kickoff coverage, punt coverage or whatever corps phase that he is on. We have some really good players here, and we are starting to identify who those players are. Through the rookies, through the veterans -- I did not know this team -- now, I am getting to know these guys and I understand who wants and who does not. The ones who want it, if they don’t start on offense or defense, they are going to help us out. The ones that don’t want it, if they don’t start on offense or defense, they are going to be somewhere else. They are going to be on the street. I think guys understand that. This team has really bought into what we are all about. It starts with our head coach and on down to the rest of the coaches, assistant coaches, coordinators, everybody. The type of player that we want, the type of players that helps us win football games, that is what we are trying to identify as well." - Priefer on finding the best 11 players for special teams

How many were kept on last year's initial 53-man roster?: 3 (kicker, punter, long snapper)

Maybe the biggest upgrade needed to be honest. The STs legit cost us game(s) last year.

Our kicker must be more reliable ... our blocking must improve ... the hidden yards and lost points killed us in the past

It seems that a lot of times the kicking game isn't a big topic of conversation. And then there's the old saying that, "kickers aren't really football players". Special teams get overlooked in the grand scheme of things.

But the margin of a win or loss tell a different story. Seven of our games last season were decided by three points or less. That's right, seven of them.

It seems Dorsey understands the importance of that. Spending a fifth round lick on a kicker says a lot. And in the end, making the playoffs instead of staying home could very well depend on the leg of our kicker.

I agree Pit ... we saw it last year. Think about the Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Oakland games, etc

Killed us

Special Teams:

Hilliard was solid in both phases. Story belongs to Sheehy who was MOVING on that PR TD. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some 1st team PR duties so Browns can see what they really have with the kid. Pulling for him and his story.

STs Part II:

Kicker battle still open. Seibert did himself some favors and might be back in the race. Joseph with another PAT miss and those plagued him ly. He has the better leg but he can’t afford to miss.

Colquitt is the punter without doubt but Gillian has a long-term shot.

https://twitter.com/jake_burns18/status/1159884105116463104

One big thing with the STs that has to improve; the penalties. I know we had one on the opening kickoff, but last year it was nearly automatic that we’d give up yardage due to penalties

Dang ... i heard 4 teams were in on this ... stinks we didn’t get him ...

KAARE VEDVIK
P, MINNESOTA VIKINGS

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Ravens traded K Kaare Vedvik to the Vikings for a 2020 fifth-round pick.

Vedvik was on the trading block all offseason but talks escalated after he went 4-for-4 on his field goals, including a 55-yarder, during the preseason opener. The Vikings have been haunted by their kickers for what seems like decades. Vedvik, who is also an NFL-caliber punter, should fix Minnesota's kicking concerns.

RELATED: Baltimore Ravens
SOURCE: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Aug 11, 2019, 2:23 PM ET

This means Dan Bailey will be available at some point in the future. He was great for the Cowboys and then terribleish for the Vikings in 2018.

J/c

Dan Bailey isn’t a terrible option; but he’s fallen off rather quickly too. I just wish Joseph would be more consistent on XPs

Bailey started to slip his last year with the boys i believe ... i’m pretty sure actually ... it started the last 3rd of the season give or take ...

There’ll be someone out there ... or i’m Gonna guess they go with the rook ... over the last week or so its pretty even and Joseph needs to separate himself IMO .. right or wrong thats how thatvscenario usually plays out ... drafted vs not drafted...

I read their were two other afc north teams in on the trade ... us and the stilers more than likely ... highly doubt the rats would trade him to one of us ...

He had an injured groin.

That explains it ... i knew he was “bad” and now that u mention it i remember ...

I wasn’t saying he wasn’t an option either ...

I wonder of he’s holding out and not signing with a team like he did last year in the hopes of getting more money ...

Didn’t he sign “late” last year? ...

I take it since we haven't heard Hughlett's name mentioned too often as of yet, he's doing his job sufficiently.

One less thing to worry about I guess.

I remember the difficulties after Pontbriand was released.

Dan Bailey is currently on the Vikings but they just traded a fifth round pick for a kicker so it would be my guess that they are cutting Bailey.

Or maybe KJ worked it out with the Vikes to trade for dude and now were gonna give them a 4th for him ...

A man can dream ... *L* ...

Are u good at trivia? ...

Of course.

Didn’t mean to insult u ... *L*..

Britton Colquitt steels for Browns punting battle with ‘Scottish Hammer’ Jamie Gillan

https://www.cantonrep.com/sports/2019081...er-jamie-gillan

Amid his Browns position battle against ‘The Scottish Hammer,’ 34-year-old Britton Colquitt shares frank talk about Super Bowls, life changes.

BEREA It’s OK with old pro Britton Colquitt that Browns fans are buzzing over “The Scottish Hammer.”

He understands the oohs that went with “The Hammer” elevating practice punts to the stadium lights before last week’s game against Washington.

Colquitt is like Browns fans in this sense: He likes Jamie Gillan, too.

“I’ve enjoyed Jamie’s company and his youth,” said Colquitt, 34, whose long career included punting in Super Bowls before he signed with the Browns in 2016. “We’ve had a lot of fun together.

“He’s got a head start on me. He’s honestly more consistent than I was as a young guy. He could play on this team or play somewhere else.

“He’s definitely got what it takes to be in the NFL.”

Colquitt knows the whole 45.5 yards (his career average) of what it takes to work in the league.

His father Craig, now 65, punted for Pittsburgh in the Steelers’ final two Super Bowl wins of the 1970s. His 37-year-old brother, Dustin, was Kansas City’s punter throughout John Dorsey’s run as general manager and still is kicking.

Britton himself learned about life in the big city in seven seasons with the Denver Broncos. The latter two were capped by trips to Super Bowls, the first a 43-8 loss to Seattle, the second a 24-10 win over Carolina.

His first Super Bowl was based in New York City and played at the Giants’/Jets’ stadium in New Jersey. It challenged every fiber of his punting soul. It steeled him for big games in which the Browns might find themselves.

“You’re terrified,’” he said. “It gets in your mind that ... ‘If I screw this up, I could lose the Super Bowl.’ ”

How he calmed himself on Super Sundays is a long story.

It links to his wild-oats days at Tennessee, which might be condensed into this 2008 statement released by then-Volunteers head coach Phillip Fulmer:

“I’m very disappointed that Britton doesn’t appreciate the blessings he has been given from his family and his team (his dad and brother had been Volunteers). Along with the five-game suspension, I am taking his scholarship away and he will be required to undergo alcohol counseling as well as other internal punishments.”

Britton got serious. He salvaged his punting career, got married, and had kids.

He became one of Peyton Manning’s better friends on Denver’s Super Bowl teams. They were in a Bible study group together.

Now, as a Brown, he shares a detailed account of trying to live a God-centered life. He says his bottom line as a pro is to honor God in the way he conducts business.

“God is not concerned with my performance as much as my attitude,” Colquitt said. “I go out there with a thankful heart, knowing that so many people in the world would die to do what I’m doing.

“I’m humbled every day I get to go out and play a game for my living. I know He’s going to give me what I need, strength-wise and mentally.

“We can relate that to everything in our lives. I’m a parent and a I’ve got four kids, so I’ve got to honor God in the way I live.”

He connected the thought to the anxiety of his first Super Bowl, when he recalls countering the impulse of terror with, “All right, God ... let’s do this together.”

He clung to one thought: “Catch the snap.”

“You’re almost, like, frozen before that snap comes,” he said. “I would be telling myself, ‘Just catch the ball.’ It was just calling on God to give me peace and do it with me. Then my body and all the work I’ve done kicked in.”

Both Super Bowls have stayed with him.

“The first year, Seattle crushed us,” he said. “That was hard. There’s so much stress and anxiety leading up to it. The second time, we won. When you come out on the other side, you’re better for it, and it’s all worth it.

“I would say it ages you.”

Gillan relates his quest to beat out Colquitt to rugby, which he played throughout his boyhood before taking up football at age 16. Colquitt is a football lifer whose dad has two Super Bowl rings.

“I always relate myself to a golfer,” Colquitt said. “Those guys go into a tournament trying to beat the guy they’re playing against. They try to put up their best score and hope it’s better than the other guy. They don’t dwell on the other guy.

“The competition does add another aspect. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it can be distracting. You can find yourself, especially with a younger stronger guy, trying to put up those strong numbers.

“I guess it keeps me young, though.”

Punter vs. punter isn’t like a linebacker position battle.

“Position-player guys have the freedom to be wowed and excited, first down, second down, third down,” Colquitt said. “Mine is one shot.”

Gillan is taking his best shot. He has youth, a rocket leg, an amusing nickname and a cool Scottish accent.

Part of the mind game for the old pro has been to follow his advice to self, “Stay in your own helmet. Don’t try to overpower every ball.”

The man from the storied punting family and “The Scottish Hammer” are kicking into crunch time. After Saturday’s game at Indianapolis, there will be just two weeks before John Dorsey must trim the roster to 53.

“The Scottish Hammer” isn’t some sideshow.

“I’m not sitting here saying I have the job,” Colquitt said. “I definitely think he’s good. He’s pushing me.”

Nice article on Colquitt. I think he’ll get the job, but it’s apparent the Hammer will have some sort of future as well

And why I would rather it be here.

I wish they talked about holding for the kicker in this article. That is what I believe will separate the two punters. Jamie is new to it. He never had to do it at Arkansas PB and is still learning. Each kicker likes the ball different and you have seconds to get it right. That to me will be the difference and prob the deciding factor.

Still have nothing resembling an NFL kicker on the roster as of August 17th.

I've been harping on it in here since going to camp and O&B scrimmage. We WILL lose games w/these guys. They both missed today (Joseph missed 2). Cut Joseph, put Seibert on the PS and bring in a reliable vet on a one year contract.

J/C

I just can’t see us having either guy as our starting kicker going into the season ... the confidence and trust is NOT there (for the kickers, coaches, teammates, fans, etc)

Seibert MAY be a PS candidate if we want to justify the pick, but we HAVE to look at vet replacements

Is Phil Dawson still in town?

I’d love to sign Phil, but he’s been adamant about being retired. Plus, his last season wasn’t great, he suffered an injury IIRC, and his age, etc.

Not sure what other options there are out there; but we have to think of anything at this point IMO

I don't know why all the talk about Phil. For the past two seasons our kickers have been more reliable than Phil. And that's not saying much.

Dawson said he had a few games left in him, but the reason he retired is he didn't feel he was reliable enough to confidently put 16+ games on his shoulders.

I know we all laugh at Collingsworth's "double doinker" description of that playoff miss, but isn't Parkey going to be available? I mean, the dude has to be more trustworthy than either of our guys. AND, that miss was just straight up bad bounce of the ball & luck.

Is Gould in a competition in SF?

Zane Gonzalez went 7/9 on his kicks with Arizona last year after he healed and both misses were from over 50 yds and he's 3/3 so far this preseason with one of the kicks being a 55 yarder. Sure would like to have him back.

Bears waive Elliott Fry; kicking battle remains open


By Andie Hagemann
Around The NFL Writer
Published: Aug. 18, 2019 at 01:22 p.m.
The Chicago Bears made a move at kicker.

The Bears waived kicker Elliott Fry on Sunday, coach Matt Nagy announced.


LATEST ANALYSIS

Fry was engaged in a tight kicking competition with Eddy Pineiro for the role throughout the 2019 offseason.

Fry signed with the Bears in April after playing for the Alliance of American Football's Orlando Apollos in the spring.

With the Bears parting ways with Fry, Nagy feels it will help Pineiro hone his skills as two preseason games remain on the docket.

"I think the biggest thing is what it enables us to do now with two preseason games left to get more kicks, essentially, whether that's in practice," Nagy said. "Now you're not splitting reps in the preseason game. I think, too, there's a little bit of the mental mindset as well for Eddy to understand that and know that these next two games will be great for him to get out there and get some reps and the volume will pick up a little bit for him."

It's important to note Pineiro hasn't officially won the gig yet. Nagy says the team will continue to look for the best fit at the position, and every position on the roster.

"Like any position we're always going to be looking for the best," Nagy said. "I think for Eddy, though, he needs to understand that we feel really good with where he's at and now he's never kicked in an NFL game before so that can go a couple different ways. It can go really good. It can go really bad. We don't know that answer but for right now we're good with where he's at. We want him to just keep kicking like he's been but we're always going to keep that thing open and not just at that position but every position until we make that final 53."

Will Pineiro be the kicker the Bears desperately need? Only time will tell.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001...gn=trendingNews

J/C

The bears might be one of the few teams with a worse kicking situation, but I’m sure it’s just me looking at it through my own bias.

It just seems to me like there are fewer reliable kickers now than any other time since I’ve watched the NFL

I’ve read up on this kicker for the past few minutes ... he’ll be cut by Carolina, but is an interesting option

https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-brow...jobs-134415552/

Yeah, Slye is a guy that has caught my interest.

I could be mistaken, but I think Seibert was only used twice against Washington and only for XPs...no FGs.

The misses have been well documented all TC and at this point we need to nail it. Put him on the PS and sign somebody who is more reliable. If the dude is missing in July and August imagine what will happen when the weather turns.

Agree. Oh well....



How about Lewis Ward?