Browns have a kicking issue whether they say it publicly or not
Cleveland Browns aren’t going to admit it right now in hopes of it working out, but they have an issue at hand that could have a negative impact on their season. Kicking matters in football. No one scores more points than kickers, they win and lose games every Sunday in the fall. Right now, the […]
Cleveland Browns aren’t going to admit it right now in hopes of it working out, but they have an issue at hand that could have a negative impact on their season.
Kicking matters in football. No one scores more points than kickers, they win and lose games every Sunday in the fall.
Right now, the Browns have an issue with their kicking game that they need to be ironed out before the season starts.
After missing a kick in each of the first two preseason games, it looked like K Cade York had turned had translated his practice success to the field against the Philadelphia Eagles last night. The second-year kicker made a pair of kicks from 43 yards and was successful on a 37-yard gimme.
Then, it happened. Going six-for-six on kicks against the Eagles in combined practices didn’t matter anymore after this moment. York missed a kick from 46 yards that he pulled right but was bailed out by an illegal formation by the Eagles, a defender lined up over the center.
Now, it was a 41-yard field goal that could have won it for the Browns. Not that preseason wins matter all that much but it could have been a big confidence boost for York going forward to have gone. The second try went left this time and the inconsistency continued for York.
Cleveland received the ball back at their 29-yard line with 32 seconds remaining and a chance for York to redeem himself. Quarterback Kellen Mond completed a trio of passes but time expired before the Browns could get within range.
“So badly,” York said about wanting a chance there at the end to reporters. “Definitely disappointed for that to happen and wanted a shot to get back out there and do something from a long distance.”
That is the thing with York, Distance has never been the issue. He always boots the ball with plenty of strength and it often looks like kicks would be good from 60-plus yards.
As a rookie, York peaked in the very first game when he kicked a game-winner against the Carolina Panthers. He has not returned to that level since.
“Confidence is never gonna be an issue for me," York said after the game. "I don't think the preseason so far is a good indication of how I've been kicking so far."
Following the game, head coach Kevin Stefanski kept his stance on York that he will continue to work through these rough times.
“I think it’s preseason, so everyone is working through the preseason,” Stefanski said. “And certainly, as you know Cade wants to make those so that we can finish as a team. So, we can go get that (win). But he’s like any young player. He’s like any player on our roster. It’s preseason, so he’s got to continue to work through it. You’re constantly trying to perfect your craft. Obviously making the first three is great, and then he knows he wants to make that last one. So, I think that’s something he’ll continue to work through.”
As expected, Stefanski is going to back his player, as he would any of them. As a head coach of the Browns, he’s never been one to toss a player under the bus. Stefanski was asked if he still felt good about not bringing in any kicking competition.
“I do,” he said quickly.
If the Browns are going to bring in a kicker it won’t be until roster cut downs at the end of the month. They’ll want a veteran likely if there is one available.
Whether it is the mental part of the kicking game or not, York is struggling mightily right now with issues he showed during his rookie season. Cleveland simply can not have a kicker hold back a talented roster from adding those extra points on the board.
Either York will figure it out eventually, or GM Andrew Berry will be forced to cut his former fourth-round pick.
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Featured image via Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
