CLEVELAND — Be it penalties that brought back long runs, lapses in coverage, missed tackles or errant kicks, the Cleveland Browns’ special-teams units had their fair share of struggles throughout the 2018 regular season.
But that was the past, and new coordinator Mike Priefer plans to building upon his proven track record of success in the NFL and turn the Browns’ special-teams coverage and returns units into the best in the league.
“I am not sure how bad they were last year,” Priefer said in his introductory press conference last week. “I know that they had their moments that they were pretty good, and in other moments, they were not as good. When I first got to Minnesota, they were okay, and we were pretty good right off the bat.”
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
One-hundred
According to Priefer, “100 percent” represents the commitment required to be successful as special-teams units in the NFL.
Since Priefer joined the NFL ranks, his teams have been known for their big-play potential. His special-teams units have accounted for 26 scores (12 on kickoffs, nine on punt returns, three blocked punts, one mishandled fake field goal attempt and a safety).
Priefer’s teams have blocked 23 kicks (nine punts, nine field goals, five PAT tries) since 2002.
After Priefer’s arrival in Minnesota, the Vikings had the most special-teams touchdowns in the NFL (seven on kickoff returns, five on punt returns and two blocked punts).
By breaking down game film after being hired in January, Priefer believes some of those struggles could have been overcome by changes in personnel, but he expects that to change under first-year coach Freddie Kitchens.
“I know that they were not allowed to use some of the personnel that was necessary,” Priefer said after an OTA practice back in May. “I think that starts with the head coach, and I know Freddie has done a great job at saying, ‘Hey, Prief, whatever you need and it is going to help you win. If you need starters on offense, starters on defense to help on some of the phases, then use them and use the backups.’
“Obviously, the backups are going to be on everything. To be honest with you, it starts with the head coach. Freddie has done a great job giving us time in all three phases. We are a lot further ahead than I have ever been at some of the places I have been because of the time that the head coach has given us on special teams. That is huge.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Kicker Austin Seibert
Over 54 games in four years at Oklahoma, Seibert converted 310 of his 315 extra-point tries (98.4 percent) and 63 of his 79 field goals (79.7 percent) for a career total of 499 points. Additionally, Seibert punted 179 times for 7,457 yards, an average of 41.7 yards-per-punt.
During the 2018 season, the 5-foot-9, 213-pound Seibert converted 87 of his 88 extra-point tries (98.9 percent) and 17 of his 19 field goal attempts (89.5 percent). By percentage, it was Seibert’s most successful season as a collegiate kicker.
Seibert is the all-time leading scorer in both Oklahoma and Big 12 Conference history and ranks first among kickers in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in career points.
“Austin was the best kicker we felt coming out this year,” Priefer said. “He was the most experienced. He had, we felt like, the best leg. He had a great Combine, he had a great Pro Day. Spent a lot of time with him in Indianapolis, and separately, had a couple of different interviews with him and really felt good about him and his mental approach to the game -- understanding his craft, how he works and how his body works and how he kicks the ball.”
