BEREA − The concerns surrounding the Browns’ punt return didn’t go away after the first game. However, those expecting a change at who’s handling those returns won’t be getting their way.
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer on Thursday maintained his support for Demetric Felton Jr. in that spot. For the veteran assistant, it’s a matter of growth in the role for the second-year pro.
“Demetric did some good things,” Priefer said. “He just has to get out of his own head sometimes. He does not hit the seam and hit the return like we need him to, and I think he will and he has before. First game out there, we did not block for him particularly well in a couple of those returns.”
The first three punts Felton fielded at Carolina turned into adventures. On the first two, he ended up running up and lunging for the ball, managing to catch it without it squirting away.
The third one, however, he muffed and was saved from a field-flipping turnover when Herb Miller fell on the loose ball.
“He is probably trying to do too much,” Priefer said. “He knows that they have to avoid him. He does not have to avoid them. By rule, they have to give him a chance to catch the ball. Sometimes he is trying to do too much before he catches the ball and thinking too much ahead – two steps ahead instead of one. We will rein it back a little bit.”
Priefer went back to a point he made a week earlier with regards to Felton. That is his inexperience. He only began returning punts in any game last season.
Felton finished with five total returns, averaging 5.8 yards a return. He did have a 15-yard return in the third quarter.
“We will keep working with Demetric,” Priefer said. “I have a lot of confidence in him. I think he is an outstanding athlete that is still learning as a punt returner. That was his first game. You just can’t put the ball on the ground. Other than that, he was fine. You just can’t put the ball on the ground. That has to be eliminated, and he knows that.”
‘Ball security, it is bad’ for Brownie the Elf
Priefer isn’t just an employee of the Browns. A Cleveland native, he also grew up a fan of the team.
So, who better among the Browns’ coaches or players to speak on the decision to paint Brownie the Elf at midfield at FirstEnergy Stadium? Of course, Priefer’s coaching background couldn’t help but come through in his assessment.
“Ball security, it is bad – he is not covering up the tip of the ball; that is the first thing I think of,” Priefer said. “His hand is back here and the tip of the ball is exposed. I can’t believe they are going to put that at the 50-yard line. He will not be our returner, no.”
David Njoku, Jack Conklin, Chris Hubbard do not practice for Browns
Three Browns did not practice on Thursday. Tight end David Njoku missed for personal reasons, and offensive tackles Jack Conklin (knee) and Chris Hubbard (elbow) rested as they continue to recover from injuries.
Michael Woods II returned to practice as a full participant after the receiver had been out since last Friday with an illness. Receiver Amari Cooper (rest) and defensive end Isaiah Thomas (hand) were also full participants.
No New York Jets absent from practice on Thursday injury report
The Jets had all players at least as limited participants at practice on Thursday. Their latest injury report elevated three players who didn’t practice on Wednesday − offensive lineman George Fant (knee), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (toe) and safety Jordan Whitehead (ankle) − to limited status.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah (hamstring) was a new addition to the injury report, having been limited in practice. Also remaining as limited were quarterback Zach Wilson (knee) and punt Braden Mann (back).
Receiver and return specialist Braxton Berrios was a full participant on Thursday after having been limited on Wednesday. Berrios was dealing with a heel issue.
Cade York: newest Cleveland special teams legend
Cade York’s massive debut has only elevated him to folk-hero status around Northeast Ohio. Of course, he’s far from the first Browns special-teams star to reach something around that level of notoriety.
York, after all, has been the answer to the kicker question Browns fans have asked since Phil Dawson left a decade ago. Beyond that, there was Josh Cribbs, who was both a Pro Bowler and local legend as a return specialist.
“It is the greatest city in the world,” Priefer said. “I keep telling you guys this is God’s Country. Why not? The quarterback can be a folk hero, kicker, the punter or returner. Josh Cribbs is a folk hero, wasn’t he? He was a special teamer, a great special teamer. I never liked going against him when I had to coach against him.”
A 68-yard field goal? Not out of the question
The Browns nearly found themselves in a predicament of choosing between a Hail Mary pass or the longest field goal in NFL history had the officials ruled that quarterback Jacoby Brissett has executed an illegal spike on the play before the game-winning kick. It would have been a 10-yard penalty on the team, plus a 10-second run-off, leaving them with a 68-yard field goal to try.
York said on Wednesday he was told they would’ve given it a shot had it occurred. Priefer confirmed that to be true a day later.
“I think so,” Priefer said. “I think it is a 10-yard penalty. It would have been a 68-yarder. I think you would have to. That type of day with very little wind and I think the wind was blowing maybe a little bit in that direction – I do not remember – but it was a nice day, and he made it. I do not know how long he would have made it from, but he crushed that thing.”
The NFL record is a 66-yard field goal by Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens against the Detroit Lions last season. The Browns’ franchise record is 60, set in 1984 by Steve Cox against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jerome Ford makes an impression on kickoff returns
Jerome Ford’s NFL debut included him as the Browns’ primary kickoff return man. In fact, coach Kevin Stefanski stated Wednesday that was the deciding factor for why Ford was active and fellow running back D’Ernest Johnson wasn’t for the opener.
Ford had just one return for 29 yards. The Panthers had four other kickoffs, one that went out of bounds and a three others that went for touchbacks.
“First of all, he has not done it since high school so it has been a crash course for him all summer,” Priefer said. “He has worked extremely hard. We spent a lot of hours together getting him prepared, and we made the decision the night before the game. … He has that running back vision. He has that toughness. He is going to run hard. He is going to make people miss. He is not afraid.”
Priefer was asked if Ford would be considered for punt-return duties. He responded with a quick, “No.”
Asked why, Priefer said, ““I am still trying to train the punt returners I have.”
Contact Chris at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com.
On Twitter: @ceasterlingABJ