Mare trade talks not in the picture
Dolphins kicker's stats not all that impressive
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Rumors circulated last week the Browns had their eyes on Olindo Mare, the Miami Dolphins kicker who is expected to be released now that the Dolphins have added Jay Feely.
The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel even reported the Browns had been involved in trade talks to acquire Mare.
Here's a question worth asking: Why?
Mare has kicked his entire career in South Florida, a climate that is a tad different than Cleveland's. In his career, he has made 80.9 percent of his kicks.
Browns kicker Phil Dawson has made 82.1 percent.
Mare has made 76-of-115 kicks from 40 yards and beyond (66.1 percent); Dawson has made 40-of-61 (65.5 percent).
Mare has done better than Dawson in one area: touchbacks on kickoffs. Mare has had 76 the past four years, and he led the league with 24 last season. Dawson has the disadvantage of kicking in cold weather, and as the temperature drops, the league's kicking balls turn to stone.
In the past four years, 18 of the top 20 teams in touchbacks played in warm climates (Miami, Jacksonville, Arizona), domes (St. Louis, Detroit, Atlanta) or high altitude (Denver).
Dawson started last season with 11 touchbacks in the first 10 games. As the weather got colder, the kicks did not carry as far.
His field-goal kicking suffered late, as well; he made 72 percent of his kicks, his lowest percentage in eight years. In the first 10 games of the season, however, Dawson made 17-of-20 field goals (85 percent). Five of the Browns' last six games were cold-weather games.
So is Mare really in the picture?
The Browns, through Vice President Bill Bonsiewicz, said they would not comment on trade rumors. The latest word out of South Florida is that a trade with the Browns is highly unlikely.
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