Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns are 0-2 on the season for a variety of reasons, one of which is that the special teams have been anything but special.
In Week 1, a missed extra point and a missed field goal by rookie kicker Andre Szmyt helped contribute to a one-point loss to the Bengals. The Browns also gave up a 23-yard punt return by Cincinnati’s Charlie Jones.
In Week 2, Szmyt bounced back and converted all three of his kicks, but Ronnie Hickman’s missed block led to Corey Bojorquez’s punt being blocked, giving the Baltimore Ravens a short field that they turned into a two-play, 24-yard touchdown drive. The Browns also gave up a 23-yard punt return by Baltimore’s LaJohntay Webster.
In addition, the Browns lost returner DeAndre Carter to a concussion, forcing rookie Isaiah Bond into the unfamiliar role of punt returner. And Bojorquez hurt his ankle on the punt block, although he did punt two more times in the game. Fortunately, Bojorquez was a full participant in practice on Thursday.
One step forward, two steps back.
So what are the Browns going to do to fix whatever is currently ailing the special teams?
That was the focus of special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone’s media session on Thursday, and as it pertains to protecting the punter, Ventrone said it comes down to blocking:
“We just gotta protect better. Gotta block better, Gotta protect better. I mean, it’s pretty obvious what happened. We just gotta execute it better, blocking technique, have a base. Time our punch. Disappointing, but, yeah, it is what it is. You gotta coach it up and move on.”
What about Bond, who had two punt returns in college at Alabama, and fielded his first NFL punt against the Ravens? Is he going to be back there this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers?
“We’re going to continue to get him reps back there. I think that he came in and did a solid job to be able to get us out of the game. So, I think that he’s been a really good worker for us so far in his short time here. Very, very receptive to any role that we put him in. He’s been back throwing kickoff returns as well, so he’s done a good job for us.”
The bright side, according to Ventrone, is that the Browns still have 16 games to play, which gives the unit time to improve:
“Look, it’s been a short season. There’s been two games played, so we’re gonna look to hopefully get back on track, address the areas that we need to improve on in the next couple days.”
Ventrone is right that the season is still young, but the continued mistakes on special teams are taking their toll. It is not the only reason the Browns are winless, but they have contributed to Cleveland being just the second team in the Super Bowl era to start 0-2 in a season where the defense has given...
