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March 4, 2016What will the 2016 Columbus Crew SC Season Hold?
March 4, 2016The Cleveland Browns finished another disappointing and dysfunctional season in 2015, ending the season tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13. This past season brought on a lot of change, including a whole new front office led by Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta and a new coaching staff led by head coach Hue Jackson. With the changes, the franchise has brought new hope to its fan base. (…Again.)
Over the course of the last many weeks, I took a look at what the Browns have going into the really important offseason, examining through each position of the team. The last group in the series that we will take a look at is the special teams.
Where the Browns stand series: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Tight Ends/Fullbacks | Offensive Line | Wide Receivers | Defensive Line | Outside Linebackers | Inside Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Special Teams
Special Team Players on the Roster
- P Andy Lee
- K Travis Coons
- LS Charley Hughlett
Recap of 2015 Season
The Browns special teams had a solid year aside from some late season struggles. The Browns coverage was good on kickoffs, holding opponents to the eighth-fewest yards per return at 21.3 yards, and average on punts, allowing the seventh-most yards per return at 10.3 yards. The punt coverage also allowed a return for a touchdown. The kickoff return team was solid but not explosive, averaging 25.4 yards per return (sixth-best in the league), but it did not have a touchdown nor a return over 53 yards. The Browns were even better on punt returns, averaging 11.2 yards (fourth-best) and returning one punt for a touchdown. The field goal unit was 13th in the league with 28 made field goals.
The best player of the Browns special teams was punter Andy Lee. Last season he produced the eighth-best punt average at 46.7 yards on 70 punts and placed 25 punts inside the 20. Lee has a strong and accurate leg. He frequently pinned the opposing team’s offense down in tough field position. He probably was one of the most productive Browns player on the entire roster. He flips the field position for the Browns, helping the struggling defense at least get a starting advantage.
Travis Coons had a great start to the 2015 season, but had a tough stretch to end it — the game-losing blocked kick return touchdown against the Ravens being the most famous example. For the year he was 11th in field goal percentage, making 87.5 percent (28 of 32) of his attempts. He was 22 of 24 (91.7 percent) on extra points, ranking 24th in the league. Coons is an accurate kicker, but he does not have a very strong leg. This leads him to kick with lower trajectory and is the reason why all four of his missed kicks were blocked. Much of the blame for the blocked field goals lies with the blockers rather than Coons. That said, Coons’ lower kick trajectory is definitely a big factor in his field goals being blocked. Coons’ lack of a strong leg also contributed to him ranking 28th in the NFL in touchbacks on kickoffs. Overall, he was a solid kicker for the Browns who needs to improve his leg strength. He is just 24 years old and could certainly get better.
Charley Hughlett was good because we did not hear about him much. In 16 games as long snapper last season, he had three total tackles. If you do not hear the long snapper’s name, that means he probably was successful at getting the ball accurately to the kicker or punter.
The Browns’ punt return game was in good hands with Travis Benjamin, so his possible departure could be a huge blow to the special teams. He was among the very best punt returners in the league last year and has returned three for touchdowns in his four-year career. The kick return game, on the other hand, was a revolving door. The Browns never were able to find a consistent kick returner. Much-maligned cornerback Justin Gilbert fielded 12 kickoffs, as did late season acquisition Raheem Mostert. Darius Jennings, Shaun Draughn, Marlon Moore, and Duke Johnson also saw time returning kicks.
The coverage teams on both punt and kick returns were good, except for the one touchdown given up by the punt coverage. The biggest issue of the special teams was keeping defenders away from field goals. The end of the season was a mess for the blocking on the field goal unit, allowing four field goals to be blocked. Special teams are definitely not the biggest problem for the Browns to worry about, but there are places where the unit can improve.
2015 Season Grade: C+
Offseason To Do List
- Re-sign Travis Benjamin
Travis Benjamin is one the best and most dangerous punt returners in the entire NFL. His speed makes him incredibly difficult to catch, especially when he has a full head of steam. If he departs in free agency, the Browns will lose their most dangerous return man and one of their best offensive playmakers. The Browns need to re-sign Benjamin not only for his receiving, but also for his returning skills.
- Improve the field goal blocking
Four blocked field goals in one season is four too many. The Browns need to put players on the line who have the ability to block. Danny Shelton is not a blocker and should not be in the blocking formation. The Browns need to have all their blockers be players who have experience doing just that — blocking. Chris Tabor also needs to be quick and firm when struggles happen and fix the problem. Tabor allowed the combination of Shelton and Cameron Erving to struggle blocking for field goals far too long. With the lower, line-drive kicks of Travis Coons, the blocking of the field goal team needs to be strong.
- Find a kick returner
The Browns have looked the past several seasons for a consistent and permanent kick returner, but the team has not been able to find one. The collection of kickoff returners last season may have ranked sixth in return yards average, but none among them was a true playmaker who could take it all the way for a touchdown. The Browns need one consistent kick returner who will put fear in the opposing team’s mind.
5 Comments
Shouldn’t we focus on backups as fg unit? Shouldn’t be too hard. Way too many blocks. Maybe kicker needs to get it a little higher. As for adding distance, I may be in the wrong, but I don’t know that you can do a whole lot to gain much yardage at this level. Kicking is a weird thing, you can either kick or you can’t. May be a little much to expect the kicker to add enough distance to matter.
all i remember is how bad erving & shelton were at blocking on the FG unit.
Phil Dawson could barely kick 47-48 yarders as a rookie and was routinely hitting mid-50-yarders into the prime of his career. A lot of it is core and plant leg strength that allows more distance. This lets those with great technique get that speed.
Rookie kicker went 28-32 outdoors with a few attempts savaged by an inept line. Least of our concerns.