close
close

New NFL kickoff rule gives Browns more hope against Packers

tabnews August 11, 2024
0

CLEVELAND – The NFL's new kickoff rule raised high expectations for coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns after their season opener Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers.

With kicker Dustin Hopkins out, Cade York kicked three times for the Browns. The first two resulted in touchbacks, giving the Packers possession at their 30-yard line.

After the Browns' 23-10 loss, Stefanski chuckled while explaining that the team's plans did not include York kicking the ball into the end zone twice.

“We wanted to see how the guys cover, but that disappointed us,” Stefanski said. “We didn't see each other as much on kickoff as we would have liked. Kickoff return is a different game, and we repeated and repeated and repeated it [in practice]but to show it live against another team was really, really important. I think we have some good examples to teach from.”

York said adrenaline contributed to him kicking touchbacks instead of placing the ball in the landing zone between the 20-yard line and the goal line.

“It just flew at me,” said York. “So I'm switching back a bit [will be important]. It shouldn't be too big a problem.”

With 5:08 left, York kicked off for the third and final time. The ball went to the 3, where running back Emanuel Wilson caught it and then carried it back 28 yards before defensive end Isaiah McGuire and safety Brady Breeze combined to make the tackle. Yes, some linemen, including McGuire and Browns defensive end Sam Kamara, are used in kickoff coverage.

“It feels like a kickoff. It's just the end of the kickoff,” said Browns cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, who played in Cleveland's coverage unit. “It eliminates the 20-, 30-yard sprint you do at the beginning of the kickoff.”

“On defense, you can make a tackle quicker. On kick returns, it's easier to hit the gap and get out if you miss an assignment or someone is out of place.”

The Browns returned all five of the Packers' kickoffs for 122 yards (24.4 yards average) without a touchback. Only one kick was returned from the end zone. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Ahmarean Brown had three returns for 70 yards (23.3 yards average), running back Pierre Strong Jr. had one return for 27 yards and receiver Jaelon Darden had one return for 25 yards.

“It's right in front of you. I feel like it's a faster pace of play now, especially when it's a shorter kick,” Strong said. “They're right in front of your face, so you have to be decisive in your movements. It's the first time [getting a] I have a feel for things, but I feel like people are starting to get more comfortable back there and just playing.”

The Browns' average drive start after the kickoff was their 29-yard line. The Packers' average drive start after the kickoff was their 30-yard line.

Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone recently said he expected coaches to save their creative kickoff coverage and return strategies for the regular season, and his players agreed that the finer points likely won't emerge until the real games begin.

More Browns news: From the “shitty hotel” to returning to Cleveland: Kicker Cade York is back a changed person

Strong and Hailassie both said they would score more touchdowns with the revamped kickoff than with the old one across the NFL.

York said he had to be more careful because returns were more likely to involve kickers in tackles.

On York's second kickoff, Wilson caught the ball in the end zone and rushed to the goal line before slamming on the brakes and dropping to his knees for a touchback.

“I was like, 'Come on, bro. It's preseason. Get some movies,'” York joked.

The Browns hope to cover more kickoffs next week during joint practices and in the second preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Cleveland Browns column: The game report won't show it, but Mike Hall Jr. gave the franchise reasons to be encouraged

Nate Ulrich can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

Tags:

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *